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Telugu Lyricist Subhash Chandrabose Goes from His Village to the Oscars
Subhash Chandrabose, a Telugu lyricist, received an award at the Oscars in Los Angeles, thanks to his song ‘Naatu Naatu’ which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. The song highlights Chandrabose’s village, Challagariga in Telangana. ‘Naatu Naatu’ has also already earned a Golden Globe. It was written by Chandrabose reminiscing his rural upbringing, culture, and food habits. An engineer-turn-lyricist who has written more than 3,000 songs, Chandrabose never imagined that his work would be recognised internationally.
From a Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience in LA to the Oscars
Chandrabose mentioned that his experience at the Oscar was one that he would never forget. He initially wanted to win a national award, but instead, he received four international awards, including the recognition he received at the Oscars. He described the Oscars as an unforgettable moment, especially when he rubbed shoulders with actor Tom Cruise.
The Making of ‘Naatu Naatu’
Chandrabose was instructed to create a song for a scene where the characters recover from humiliation and perform a lively dance. Keeping in mind that he should not criticise or insult any particular group or individual, he was given complete freedom to create the lyrics. Chandrabose then came up with the hook word, ‘Naatu.’ He created most of the song in just 45 minutes and read it out to the team. Together, they worked on the song for 19 months, adding the rap and dialogues part to it.
Why Did ‘Naatu Naatu’ Click With Hollywood?
Chandrabose believes that ‘Naatu Naatu’ caught Hollywood’s attention because the beat and rhythm were unique and had elements of local Indian music. Although the lyrics were not in English, the word ‘Naatu’ grabbed their attention. The repetition of the word and the synchronised dance also helped to attract them.
Chandrabose’s Inspiration for the Song
Chandrabose was inspired by his food habits, culture, and childhood memories when he wrote the song ‘Naatu Naatu.’ His favourite line from the song is ‘Yerrajonna rottelona, mirapakathokku kalipinatu,’ which is related to his eating habits when he was living in his village. It translates to ‘eating a red jowar roti with chilli paste’. The lyrics of the song are a recollection of Chandrabose’s memories, and he tried to present them on a global stage.
What’s Next for Chandrabose?
Going forward, Chandrabose wants to continue popularising Indian tradition and culture through his work. He believes it is his responsibility to do better with each project he works on. His personal and professional goal is to enjoy writing every song he creates.
