Kittu Vissapragada, a lyricist from Amalapuram started his film journey in 2011 with the film ‘Dasami’ and has written songs for the recently released ‘Chemistry’. We sat down to talk with this exciting new song-writer about his thoughts and experiences including what it is like working for ‘Chemistry’ movie, the song-writing process and challenges in it. Read for some interesting behind the scenes info from a candid interview with upcoming lyricist Kittu Vissapragada.
How and what made you want to become a lyricist?
The climate of the town I was born and brought up, Amalapuram, the way my mother made me to read out loud the news paper in my childhood and doordarshan made me to become a lyricist.
Could you tell us your work experience with ‘Chemistry’ team?
Working for ‘Chemistry’ was first a very big challenge. There was a tough competition. I was asked to pen for a single song and slowly it yielded me more songs from the same album, and ultimately I was able to grab the opportunity of writing all the songs for that. Director and the music director gave such a kind of support, to make the journey of ‘Chemistry’ a lyrically beautiful one.
Do you start with lyrics or music?
It’s the director’s requirement and I am comfortable with both the ways.
How long did you take to write the song ‘Manasuki Manasuki Madhya’?
To be precise, I was able to finish five songs in five days. Director explains the scene in the morning, I used to go to my place at noon, sit in the evening, finish the song by midnight and submit it the next morning. Only the “six pack” song took 10 days time, and wrote 5 pages for that song. They edited it, took what they wanted from that content.
What was it about the story of ‘Chemistry’ that most interested you? Or was it that you wanted to try your hand in it just because you got an opportunity?
I wanted to give it a try, but the director didn’t tell a single word about lyrics. He called me up to his house and made me to read the entire script. I read it, lived in it. I got connected to the way the character Siddu deals with the problems that occur in love and life after wedding. I guess, every guy should be like that. It inspired me to write.
What do you find most challenging about being a lyricist?
It’s not easy being a lyricist, if it is easy then everybody can. To be precise, the capability of convincing the director that what you have written is apt for the situation is more challenging than writing the song itself. Giving scope for visualization of what you have written is the most important factor of lyric writing I believe.
But no matter how much amount of knowledge we carry, in film industry what it matters at the end of the day is a hit. These days, hit for a lyricist depends more on the catchy tune, rather than the intellect in the words we use or the metaphors we employ.
What is something interesting that most people wouldn’t know about lyrics?
Lyrics are the carriers of music. They just don’t run behind the music. For me, a song is 80% lyrics and 20% music. Every musician makes a tune dreaming a visual. The explanation of the visual is best described through lyrics which are given life by the music.
Describe your ambition?
My ambition is to become a choosy lyric writer and get stability in that profession.
What’s the vision behind your ambitions for the future?
There will be a day when a mother will choose to sing my song to make her baby sleep. That’s the aesthetic vision behind my ambition.
List some role models that inspire you?
Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry garu, K.Balachandar, Sri Sri, Devarakonda Balagangadhar Tilak, A.R.Rahman, Kamal Hassan, Sachin Tendulkar , Trivikram Srinivas, Veturi Sundara Rama Murthy.
Have you had any bad experience?
Plenty.
Could you share one or two with our readers?
My hard work went unnoticed most of the times.
But you must also be having few unforgettable moments in life.
The very first song of my life for a movie was sung on September 7th 2011 by Karunya for the movie ‘Dasami’ and the second song by Sree Rama Chandra. I can never forget those beautiful times. First time I saw my name on the silver screen for the movie ‘Dasami’. At the back of the ‘Chemistry’ CD, I found my name for all the songs. Those are the best ones. Apart from these, there are plenty of beautiful memories in my village life like talking to the birds and plants, running in the paddy fields and playing with the sunshine flare, etc.
What do you want audiences to take away from your songs?
I take utmost care in replicating the visual running in the mind of director, and the director does the same during the time of making. In the mean time, music director adds soul to the lyrics. The whole process has the target as the heart of the listeners. I would let the audience grab the soul of the lyrics and print the visual in their heart and replicate in their dreams.
What kind of books you read a lot?
Poetry as the first preference, I read story collections like “Devarakonda Bala Gangadhar Tilak Kathalu” and fiction genre a lot.
So Devarakonda Bala Gangadhar Tilak appears to be your favourite author.
Yes!!
Your favourite music director?
A.R.Rahman
Your favourite lyricist?
Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry gaaru
Your favourite film?
Saagara Sangamam
Your favourite director?
Singeetam Srinivasa Rao
Your favourite singers (male, female)?
Hariharan, Vani Jairam.
Your favourite actor and actress?
Kamal Hassan and Chandrakala.
One last question, are you currently working on anything that people should keep an eye out for?
Yes, and…it will reach them soon
Thanks for the wonderful interview and all the best for your future endeavors.
The pride is all mine. Thank you
___Radhika Andluri ([email protected])
