BLOODLINES OF A COMPOSER

We've seen countless Ilaiyaraaja fans over the decades, but composer C. Sathya lives and breathes the maestro's music. For him, Ilaiyaraaja isn't just an inspiration - he's in his blood. From playing the Isaignani's timeless melodies on a harmonium in school, earning rousing applause, to crafting soul-stirring songs that have quietly enriched Tamil cinema over the past 15 years, Sathya's musical journey has been one of steady passion and quiet triumph.

- SHAHUL HAMEED

In an honest and heartfelt conversation, C. Sathya opened up about his long-standing journey through the industry — a path that wasn't just personal but also deeply emotional, fulfilling his father's dream of becoming a musician. Beyond reminiscing about melodies and mentors, Sathya also set the record straight on a popular industry myth involving fellow composer Anirudh Ravichander — addressing it with clarity and grace for those who got the story wrong.

Here's a composer who lets his music speak, but this time, his words sing too.

It's been over 15 years since you started composing for films, and you have also made your mark in television, especially with the title song of Saravanan Meenatchi. So, where did it all start? Was becoming a music director always on the cards?

It's been 15 years since my first song was released, but actually, my journey began much earlier than that. I've been working in serials as a keyboard player since 2001. It was in 2004 that I received my first recognition as a music composer on Sun TV. So really, you could call it a 25-year journey in music.

To talk about where it all started—my father used to play the harmonium. He wasn't a professional musician, but he had the passion. He wanted to become a musician, but due to family circumstances, he couldn't pursue it. Because of that, he made sure I learned Carnatic singing from a very young age. Along with my two brothers, music was a part of our upbringing, thanks to him.

Back in school, every day my friends and I would talk about Ilayaraja's songs. I used to sing while playing the harmonium. Whenever I played one of his songs on the harmonium, everyone appreciated it a lot. That gave me confidence. I realized, Eventually, I started playing harmonium in a dance academy, and step by step, I grew into a keyboard player.