‘O thappu kottu, thakilu kottu…,’ a new composition by veteran musician Samji Arattupuzha, instantly transports listeners to the courtyard of a Kerala church. The song, which dropped on YouTube two weeks ago, recreates the joyful verve of a Malayali Christmas carol. Samji employs drums and clarinet to create a textured soundscape that evokes a nostalgic Christmas spirit. 

Rendered by a group of singers — Ramesh Murali, OU Basheer, Sreekanth, Nimya Lal, Ashitha Prakash and Angel Mary — the song is the latest addition to Samji’s repertoire of over 500 Christian devotionals.   

A composer and singer, Samji, 72, says he approaches each song with an intention of making it sound different. Known for using instruments such as the shehnai, sarod, sarangi and sitar that are not often conventionally used in Christian devotional numbers, Samji’s repertoire is a unique mix of influences. “I like to experiment with ragas, too. I have used Mukhari, Haimavathy, Kamboji, Parpathy, Anandabhairavi, Bihag and ragamalikas in these Christian devotional numbers, which was not the norm and I enjoyed the challenge of making the songs work. Many of these songs were hits,” he adds.  

Having started his career in the 1970s, he has worked with all the prominent names in the Malayalam music industry. “It is the sheer passion for music that has brought me this far,” he says. “I started singing quite early in my life – when I was just eight or nine with no formal training. And the interest grew with me. I won prizes at school and college level festivals, including the first prize for light music at Kerala University,” he reminisces. 

His first music teacher was Rugmini Amma, a gold medallist at the Madras Music Academy; he later had a few eminent musicians whom he considered mentors. “But I am still learning, that is the thing about music. The more you learn, the more aware you become of how little you know,” he says. In 1973, he cleared the audition at Akashavani, where he got an opportunity to present his  first composition, ‘Devalaya Nada Thurannu….’

It was also when a representative of Columbia Music happened to listen to Samji’s songs. Impressed, he suggested that Samji could try his luck in Chennai and encouraged by the idea, Samji left for Chennai in the hope of recording an EP. The decision proved a turning point as Samji sang four songs in an EP and it became a hit. He went on to work with accomplished singers Yesudas, S Janaki, Jayachandran, B Vasanthi, Ambili, Vani Jayaram, and SP Balasubramaniam, for major record companies including HMV, Polydor, Columbia and Inreco. 

He also assisted gospel musician Peter Ruben in composing at the Madras Christian Arts and Communications. 

Samji chose devotional songs because of the freedom it gave him. Film songs were restrictive in terms of the theme, while devotionals gave him all the space for channeling his creativity, says Samji. However, he has composed songs for seven Malayalam films and television serials. His first movie was Aaghosham, directed by TS Saji. He also found time to sing. 

Samji’s rich musical oeuvre includes Hindu devotional songs and Mappilapattu as well. “I listen to the new songs that are coming out, the new singers who are making a mark … I keep myself updated.” 

Samji believes the lyrics lead the way to the tune. “I get the lyrics into my head first. Then I play the shruthi on the harmonium, notate and then I start exploring my possibilities with the song.”

He is currently working on a set of morning prayer songs. “There is never a day without music in my life, and there never will be,” he says. 

‘O Thappu Kottu Thakilu Kottu’ has been produced and written by Chev. Kuriakose Thadathil. The song is on YouTube.