3 June 2015
Hyderabad

A doctorate in music, with three master degrees, a dubbing artist, a musician, mimic and singer- with so many feathers in one hat, Josyabhatla Sarma is definitely a star to watch out for, in Tollywood. With his renditions in several movies and serials and TV Series, Sarma is shining through his music and voice. Idlebrain throws its focus Light on Sarma for this week.

My childhood
I was born and raised in Kakinada. Being from a family of well educated and musicians, I had the arts in my blood. I started learning music when I was three. My guru, Akella Prabhakar Murty, made sure I learned the nuance and gain the expertise in various ragas. Winning competitions in schools and colleges was a natural thing for me. However, my participation in Paduta Teeyaga program changed the course of my life. It was in 1995, when SPB was organizing the then and still famous Paduta Teeyaga. I participated in it and made my way up to quarter finale. There was this round where we had to compose our song and sing it. After my performance, music director, MM Keeravani gave me opportunity to work under him.

Tollywood toddler
Though I lost the contest, I made my way into the music world and started working under Keeravani from Subhasamkalpam to Raja hamsa movies as chorus and track singer. After my stint with Keeravani, I approached Singer Janaki. I fondly call her amma. I stayed at her place for a month. During my stay, Janakamma had to go for a recording with AR Rehman for the movie Sakhi. She was rendering her voice for September Maasam song. She was in her 60s then and one can truly understand the energy that she exudes in that song. After the first recording, Rehman gave her a break and asked her to come back for re-recording. While we both were sitting and chatting, I tried to imitate Janakamma and sang September maasam song. Not many people know that, I can also render female voice. So, it was at this point, I felt something on my back! It was AR Rehman. He patted my shoulder and asked me to sing it again for him. After I rendered it, Janakamma was kind enough to tell Rehman to take me under his wings. I started working for Rehman and since then I did 13 movies including Sakhi, yuva, Jodi, Amruta, Priyuralu pilichindi as chorus and track singer. After these movies, I moved back to Kakinada.

Break in Music
During my post Rehman days in Kakinada, I had to fall back on my education and day job. Survival was a matter for me. I was married too. So, I joined Pragathi educational institutions as HOD of Telugu department. Not many people know that I have an MA in Telugu, MA in Sanskrit, MPhil in Kuchipudi and PhD in Music. You bet, I did study a lot. During this period, I participated in several TV programs like Zee Telugu’s Smile Sri, and ETV smile Raja Smile. The program director of Smile Raja Smile, Muralidhar Kesari asked me to move back to Hyderabad. It was in 2007, I moved to Hyderabad with my wife. I joined Narayana college as Telugu and Sanskrit HOD and used to go to college during day time and work for serials and movies during night. Murali gave me an opportunity to compose music for Black, Paripoorna mahila, Maha maha mass programs in ETV. After my music came out, Chandra Sekhar, director of Chandamam Kadha, approached me to compose music for his film. The movie did fare well but I got very less recognition. Then I was approached by Ayodhya Kumar for the movie Minugurulu. Minugurulu made its way to Oscars and won accolades at many levels. I composed music for movies including Gola seenu, Alexander, Adavi kachina vennela. I still remember this small yet powerful incident. After I composed Meena song from the movie Gola seenu I sent it to Rehman. He replied in 1 hour saying that this song has potential to become a big hit. Coming that from Rehman was a big pat for me.

Survival in the industry
I do not have any god father in the industry. This industry paves way for everyone. If you have the subject in music and the talent to invent new tunes, you will be welcomed with open arms. One needs to know the subject. Without the subject, the shallowness won’t persist too long. My struggles in the industry continued for more than a decade. Initially, we need to invest a lot of money, time and effort. The more we invest, the better the quality is. If we compromise anywhere, we will lose our own foothold.

Andhra Pori
My latest project is Andhra Pori. Launching Puri’s son through my movie is a big leap in my career. I am thankful to all the forces that conjoined in making this project. Director, Raj Madiraju, knows how to extract the talent from the music directors. He helped me fine tuning the music and I personally believe he has a great sense towards Tollywood music. This movie definitely took my career into a next level. Now, people know who I am and respect me for my music. It always takes a trigger to shoot you into the sky. Andhra Pori is my trigger.

My family
My wife, Vijayalakshmi is my support and strength. I fondly call her Jaya. She makes sure; I have everything in my life. Though I go home late at nights or don’t show up sometimes, she opens the door with a smile and calls me every day to make sure she prepares the meal of my choice. We have a 1.5 year old daughter, Yajushi, who is my lucky charm. I have a small and beautiful family and by god’s grace, I have everything that a happy man needs. Now, it’s my time to give back good music and make my listeners happy.

By
Swathi Sriram

Other articles in 'Focus Light:
• Sasikiran Narayana