He got his first single card as a lyricist in Venu Yeldandi’s directorial debut ‘Balagam’ which evoked a warm response from audiences.
Lyricist Kasarla Shyam penned four songs for the recently released 'Balagam' movie. (Supplied)
Actor Priyadarshi’s latest Telugu release Balagam, where Kasarla Shyam got his first single card as a lyricist (all four songs), has been a gratifying experience for the writer.
The lyricist believes that what can’t be conveyed through dialogue is often conveyed through a song.
Mangli and Ram Miryala’s magical voices, Bheem Ceciroleo’s mesmerising music, and Shyam’s lyrics have been woven seamlessly into Venu Yeldandi’s directorial debut Balagam.
Balagam’s story is about the 13-day rituals observed in the protagonist’s house after his grandfather dies.
It has similarities with director Maruthi’s Prati Roju Pandage, but has more details and covers an entire village.
“When Venu told me he was directing a film, I thought he would come up with an out-and-out comedy. I also knew he was a good singer and had been writing scripts for a long time. But when he enacted the scenes, I was spellbound,” Kasarla Shyam recalled in a tete-a-tete with South First.
Though the writer penned folk songs earlier, he said Balagam was a different experience altogether.
Lyricist Kasarla Shyam. (Supplied)
“The title (Balagam) refers to the strength you secure from the kith and kin. Each situation in the song has a soul and warmth attached to it. I wanted the depth to be conveyed to this generation through the song,” Shyam said.
The first song, “Balarama Narasayyo”, is about a corpse.
“We seldom see such songs being shot over a body in Telugu films. People dancing in front of dead bodies in Dhanush and Vijay Sethupathi’s movies are a common sight though,” the lyricist explained.
In the “Saapaatu yetuledu” song from Kamal Haasan-starrer Aakali Rajyam, one of the lines goes: “Swantantra Desam lo chaavu kuda pelli laantidhe brother (Brother, death is like marriage in a free country)”.
Referring to the lyrics written by Acharya Athreya, Kasarla Shyam said that life has to be celebrated.
“We should bid a happy farewell to the journey led by a person. I experienced all the situations shown in the song. I lost my parents and this is a tribute to them and my village,” he quipped.
Let me tease you with a promo until tomorrow’s full song…
Ooru Palleturu first lyrical from #Balagam releasing on 6th Feb ❤️
🎤 – @Ram_Miriyala & @IamMangli
🎼 – #Bheemsceciroleo pic.twitter.com/PbyKQf06le— Sailu Priyadarshi #Balagam (@priyadarshi_i) February 5, 2023
As for “Ooru Palletooru” song, Kasarla Shyam wanted to write something about a palle (village) from a perception that people hadn’t been familiarised with.
“Villages are always described as being beautiful, but I wanted to show something new. A village is like a mother, who returns home from a function with a sweet nicely wrapped in her saree for her kids,” the writer elucidated.
He also cited a few examples like the smell of the mud which is no less than that of sandalwood paste. The milking of cows (paala dhaara) is compared to the first rays of the sun.
“This is how a village usually wakes up. You don’t need to know the right terminology but need to get the right emotion.”
Potti Pilla
Podugu Porodu
Oka Paata
All yours ❤️▶️https://t.co/PVe0rJ4J4n@offlvenu @priyadarshi_i @kavyakalyanram @dopvenu @Ram_Miriyala #Bheemsceciroleo @LyricsShyam @DilRajuProdctns @HR_3555 #HanshithaReddy @adityamusic @vamsikaka @WallsAndTrends #Balagam #comingsoon
— Sailu Priyadarshi #Balagam (@priyadarshi_i) February 17, 2023
The “Potti Pilla” song revolves around the girls in the village. They are usually addressed by their physical appearance.
The hero loses his grandpa when there is an engagement scheduled for the next day.
He has many debts, and wants to marry his cousin, hoping that the dowry amount she brings would relieve him of his financial stress.
“The protagonist woos the girl and invites him into his life. He doesn’t love her but puts in Herculean efforts to impress her through the song,” Kasarla Shyam said.
The fourth song, “Kodukulara”, is of eight-minute duration and comes in the climax. It revolves around a family artist who hails the exploits and conquests of the man who passed away.
The folk artists praise the departed person and preserve the history through the song/description. They are referred to as “Budgie Jangalu” in the local language.
“Actor-director Venu Yeldandi is from Rajanna Siricilla. He sold vegetables in the market and ventured into films. In this remarkable journey, Venu recapitulated all the memories from his village and the result is Balagam. I hope I did justice to his journey and the film,” Kasarla Shyam signed off.
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