I have known Chithra long before I became a composer. Her growth has amazed me; she had not seemed extraordinary when I saw her singing at shows or recording tracks, for singers like S. Janaki and P. Susheela, at Tharangini Studio in Thiruvananthapuram.

I feel I am fortunate that I could become a composer.

I still remember how hard I worked on the tune of ‘Raree rareeram… ;’ the first tune I tried was rejected.

K.G. Sathar, a neighbour, was my guru. He taught me the violin and Hindustani music.

There is a whole team behind the success of a film song.