KOZHIKODE: For any artist who made considerable success in the film industry, it is hard to live away from limelight.However, A K Sukumaran - film, stage and radio singer and Sangeetha Nadaka Academy winner - is now used to it. The singer, who once enthralled the music enthusiasts through his light music, is now leading a peaceful and low life at Pathiyarakara near Vadakara.“Music is everything to me and it will be the same in all my life. At the age of 74, there is some health related issues but with the grace of God there is no problem to my vocal cords. I will perform when an opportunity comes in my way,” Sukumaran exhorted.Initiated to the music world as All India Radio artist in the year 1954, he attained glory when declared the top-rated singer of the HMV records for three consecutive years from 1956 to 58. Later, he moved to Madras in a bid to etch his name in the Malayalam film industry and got the first chance in the film ‘Kadathukaaran’ which was released in the year 1965. “It was a whimsy idea during that time to get an opportunity to sing in the movies and one of the greatest ambition in my life was to sing a duet with S Janaki in a film. That dream was fulfilled in the first film itself. Though I got a remuneration of `150 for that song it was more the dream of a woolgatherer that had come true.” The song Manimukile Manam Niranja Manimukile was one of the greatest hits of that time.Later, he rendered voice to several songs in films like Kunhalimarakkaar, Janmabhoomi and Thalirukal. Worked along with the likes of P Jayachandran, K J Yesudas, Udayabhanu, music directors B A Chidambaranath, Baburaj, etc, Sukumaran did not hide his frustration for not being able to attain the heights he desired. “At that time opportunities were very few. My decision to return from Madras owing to financial constraints changed everything for ever,” he said.“When I shared my decision to Jayachandran, he told me to hang on in Madras for some more time to pursue a better career in the Malayalam film industry. But I didn’t heed him and returned to Kozhikode,” Sukumaran remembered. Though he got opportunities in All India Radio on his return it was not the same again and he was slowly faded away from then memories of music lovers.Sharing his views on the contemporary music he said that most of the songs of today did not have the soul or feelings which was once the trademark of Malayalam film songs. “Now voice has taken a backstage and prominence is given to orchestra. Though a lot of new songs are released on a daily basis yesteryears songs remain the people’s favourites.At present, he earns a living through tailoring and the small amount of monthly pension given by the Chalachitra Academy and the Sangeetha Nadaka Academy keeps him going.
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