THIS SONG is still on everyone's lips. If Manmadha Raasaa earned laurels for Dhanush and Chaya Singh for their fast dance movements in the movie Thiruda Thirudi, the chartbuster brought singer Malathy Lakshman to the limelight.

It has been a rather long journey for Malathy, who began her career with a stage music troupe. Malathy, who started singing at 13, says that her entry into music was not planned.

Her first break in playback singing, however, came a long 12 years later. In town to take part in a light music show organised by Pepsi, the singer talked about her musical journey.

Did her experience in stage music shows help her in playback singing? "In these shows, you have to repeat some songs. Playback singing is not very different. Sometimes, you have to sing the same lines again. There are times when you take a whole day to record one high-pitch song. It can be quite stressful. But, thanks to my experience in the music troupe, I cope easily," she says.

Not surprisingly, the inimitable K.P. Sundarambal (KPS) is her favourite singer.

"To my knowledge, she (KPS) is the only singer who was adept in crooning high pitch songs." Interestingly, it is her rendering of KPS numbers at a music show in Singapore that got her the Thiruda Thirudi offer.

The first thing the music director wanted to know was whether she could croon the song in Aaru kattai.

"As I had sung such numbers, I was very confident," she recounts. Is it difficult to sing such songs?

"Yes. Every singer has a range. It is not always possible to exceed that. "

She terms the song as an "unexpected big break" and attributes its success to the changing trends.

Ask her about the danger of being branded a `high pitch singer' and she is quick to point out, "Not many sing in high pitch these days. Moreover, as there is a lot of competition now, I cannot be choosy." "

Malathy, who has sung more than 60 songs in Tamil, is eagerly looking for an image makeover.

"In stage, I was known for my rendering of all types of songs. I have sung a melody number for Ilayaraja sir in Adhu Oru Kanakalam and a folk number in Meesai Madhavan (both films yet to be released). I hope this would establish that I can sing songs in different genres."

Despite her hectic schedule, she still performs for the music troupe. This also has resulted in her losing out on quite a few chances.

"I missed an opportunity to sing in Pithamagan and a few other films." Does she have any regrets?

"No. But, due to my hectic schedule, I am now restricting my appearances."

Courtesy: The Hindu, May 20, 2004