Singer-composer Job Kurian at his live performance
| Photo Credit: Robin Joseph
Job Kurian is just a few months away from finishing 20 years as an expert musician. Job is amongst these few actuality present stars whose careers didn’t fizzle out after their preliminary tryst with fame; he soldiered on in the unbiased music scene as a singer and composer. The energy and vigour of his voice, the vitality that he brings to the stage and the soulful songs he has tuned have made him one in all Malayalam’s most-loved musicians.
When MetroPlus caught up with the musician at the moment touring the US over a Zoom name, he talked at size about his latest work, ‘Nizhal’ and what every work means to him.
‘Nizhal’ appears at a state of affairs the place a son leaves his father at an previous age residence solely to carry him again when he realises his mistake. TG Ravi performs the father, a job, which Job had initially deliberate for the late Nedumudi Venu. “The idea came in the form of a tune some four years ago and my dream was to cast Venu uncle. He was family to me and he was also happy to do it. But it was not meant to be since he passed away. The project was almost called off until, two years ago, I revived it. We were lucky that TG Ravi sir agreed to do the role,” says Job.
Job Kurian
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The artiste stresses that the music, additionally that includes Anoop Mohandas and Master Ahaan, is a reminder to those that neglect the aged neighborhood. “It is a request to the society. There are umpteen examples of elders not being looked after by their families. I am against the concept of old age homes, for, I believe that as they grow old our elders need extra attention in spite of all their shortcomings. Their contribution to our lives is not small.”
Still from the music video, Nizhal
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Like most of his works, ‘Nizhal’ too has a private contact, particularly in showcasing the grandfather-grandson bond. “I was extremely close to my grandmother. I see the same love and affection between my parents and my two sons.” Job provides, “The shoot was special. The entire process was emotional for each member of the team.”
Engandiyoor Chandrasekharan, an everyday in terms of Job’s compositions, has written ‘Nizhal’ as nicely. “There is an innate simplicity about him and his verses. He understands what I want and has no hassles about making changes, if I suggest any. He encourages the writer in me as well. When I wrote the four lines of ‘Bhaavam’, he loved it so much that he decided to write the remaining verses around it,” Job says.
Job Kurian with members of his band, Job Kurian Live
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The musician can be basking in the sudden consideration for ‘Kannodu’, a music that he composed 10 years in the past for Music Mojo Season 3 on Kappa TV. The duet, which he sang with Mridula Warrier, was devoted to his spouse, Athira, after the start of their first little one. “It became viral out of the blue, thanks to social media. I have always put my heart and soul into all my songs. Maybe, this is the result of that effort. I am neither worried or excited about the reception for my songs. But there is a satisfaction when such appreciation comes my way, even if it is after so many years. In fact, it took six years for my first work, ‘Thaalam’ to get noticed. Hopefully other songs also will also get recognised sometime in the future,” he says.
Looking again at his profession, Job provides that his music comes from his experiences. The evergreen ‘Padayathra’, a duet with Harish Sivaramakrishnan, was impressed by his good friend’s journey to the Himalayas; ‘Enthavo’ mirrored his frame of mind at some extent of time; ‘Mulla’ was about his childhood and relationships; ‘Kaalam’ was a tribute to an aged member of the family; ‘Bhaavam’ was a message to remain humble and know extra about Nature.
“‘Palaayanam’ came out of a fear of the scenario when one might have to leave home to settle down elsewhere. I dread that situation where I could be forced to move out of Kerala. In spite of political polarisation and other contentious issues, I love living here. There is something about our people that keeps us together. Maybe, it is the humanity in us.” He provides, “Performing for our audience is something different, be it at a music festival or temple ground or any other stage. The people are updated and the energy they bring is something else.”
Job Kurian
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Job considers his playback profession as a bonus episode of his journey. His latest launch was ‘Kaavalaayi’ in Empuraan. His one-off movie mission as a composer was Rasam (2015). “My priority has always been making my own songs and to develop independent music in Kerala. I believe I have contributed a bit towards that.” He has a band, Job Kurian Live, and the members are Balu, Rony George, Shikku Dan Jacob and Ananthu.
However, the journey is hard for an indie artiste, he provides. “People are not willing to invest in music, whereas they would happily do so for a movie. There is always a risk for an indie musician since there is no guarantee that you will make money. Releasing each song has been a struggle for me. But one’s passion can overpower any challenge. There has always been a constant drive to keep working. Hard work pays off, eventually. That is when you get surprises like the reception for ‘Kannodu’.”
Published – May 17, 2025 02:35 pm IST
