Divakar Subramaniam - Indian film music for All

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"Music is not made...it just happens..." 'Isai Gnani' Ilayaraja

About Welcome.Divakar is a music composer/producer, percussionist and researcher. This website contains relevant information about his creative, technical and academic projects, pursuits and interests.Divakar works as a music composer in India's creative music and film industries and has more than 200 projects that include a wide range of radio and television commercials and film songs to credit. Concerts across India, in the United States of America, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom, and collaborative work with musicians from Srilanka, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, Nigeria and the USA have had a significant influence on his compositions. He is one of the very few privileged Indians to have performed at the United Nations, New York.Divakar holds a Master of Science degree in Advanced Music Production from the University of Glamorgan, United Kingdom, and is currently researching Tamil Film music. He is probably the first South Indian music composer/producer to have scholarship in music production. Divakar is a researcher and lecturer at the Department of Drama and Music, Cardiff School of Cultural and Creative Industries, University of Glamorgan. He is also attached to the Skillset Screen Academy, Wales and a member of the British Forum for Ethnomusicology.
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Composition

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T24 Inc., is Divakar's audio production company. At T24 Inc, we provide original, fresh, qualitative, efficient and prompt creative music solutions for radio and television commercials. Our operation is based on a multi-sited design, with audio production facilities in Chennai and the United Kingdom. Having over 15 years of creative experience in the advertising music industry, we work with multi-cultural artistic talent from the UK, India and from around the world. With 24/7 Skype access with video conferencing facilities, you can reach us anytime and from anywhere. File sharing with studios and clients is done through our personalised, secure and private FTP server.

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Divakar's compositions include music for radio and television commercial spots, short films, corporate films, television soups, theatre, animation, sports and fitness, classical and contemporary dance ensembles, children's projects and feature film.CommercialsA varied cross-section of consumer product brands like Coca-cola, MRF Radials, HDFC Bank, Tata Finance, Shriram Chit and Investments, Aban Chaai, Co-optex, Ramoji Film City, Surfex Paints, Noosa Popcorn, Vasu Agarbathis, SPICAnimationComposed and produced music for the following animation films produced by the Glamorgan School Creative Arts and Design Technology:• "Sweet Cheeks", directed by Lisa Kinsey • "Vendetta", directed by Andrew Unsworth. These films were screened at the CineWorld Multiplex, Cardiff on 18 June 2006 at the "Glammies", the GCADT awards ceremony.FilmPeraanmai (2009), Tamil feature film - worked in the capacity of a music and vocals producer for renowned music director Vidyasagar"The Butterfly" (2008), short film for ITV Wales's "It's My Shout""The Big Day" (2007), short film for ITV Wales's "It's My Shout""The Trek" (2006), short film for ITV Wales's "It's My Shout""Dhil Irundha" (2005), Tamil feature film - exclusive title trackTheatreComposed and performed live music for the annual Christmas Pantomime, organised by The Little Theatre Company:• "The Elves and the Shoemaker" - December 2001• "Beauty and the Beast" - December 2003EdutainmentCommisioned to compose and produced an invocation song for the University of Madras, by its Vice-chancellor, Dr. Thiruvasagam. This production was completed in December 2009 and was sung by Sirkali Dr. Sivachidambaram.Composed and produced for Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Group of School's Annual Anniversary Total Theatre Productions as follows: • "Indus Valley and African Civilisations" - (2002) • "Pathram Pushpam Palam Thoyam" - (2003) • "Ethanai Kodi Inbam Vaithaai Iraivaa" - (2004) • "Nama Mahimaa" - (2005) Each of these productions involved considerable amount of research before composing for, and recording at least 500 school children between the age of 5 and 18.Dance"Fire" - Contemporary Dance Ensemble produced by the Natyam Trust, (2004)"Tamizh" - Contemporary DanceEnsemble produced by the Natyam Trust (2004)"Dasavathaaram" - Classical Bharthanatyam Dance Ensemble, choreographed by Narendra Kumar and Anusha Narendra, (2005)Television"Indira" - television soap for Asianet television channel,Titile score (2001)"Gokulam" - a 115 episode television soap for the Asianet television channel (1998)"Ninaad" - an Indian classcal music programme on Starplus television channel (1997)Audio releases"The Voice", Pop/Dance, Magnasound (2001)"Sing Along", Childrens' English Sing Along, Reach Out (2001)"Irayil Vandi", Children's Tamizh Sing Along, Avvai Kappagam (2002)

Performance

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Divakar performs Kanjira, Morsing (Indian Jews harp), Konnakol (Vocal percussion) and Thudumbu (South Indian rural folk drums). Some memorable performances include:Atrium, lunchtime concert series, Cardiff, Dec. '10Reclaiming the Shrew, Physical theatre, Tonypandy, Feb 2010With Melopark, Admiral Cardiff Big Weekend, Cardiff, Aug 2009Global Village Festival, Cyfarthfa Park, Merthyr Tydfil, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007Indo-Celtic fusion with Creative Wales Awards Winner Sianed Jones, Wales Millenium Centre, Cardiff, March 2009 and May 2007With Dr. Ananda and Creu Vam Asi, Clwb-y-bont, Pontypridd, September 2008Secret Garden Party Festival, Abbots Ripton, July 2008Adamstown Artisan Event, Cardiff, June 2008Beyond the Border, Wales, International Story Telling Festival, St. Donats Castle, July 2007Temple of Peace, Cardiff, June 2007The South Riverside Development Centre, Cardiff, June 2007With Sianed Jones and Resident Jazz Trio, Café Jazz, Cardiff, February 2007New Druids, University of Glamorgan Open Day, September 2005 Equinox, Unwind Centre, Chennai, June 2004Vibration Society, The Other Festival, The Arangham Trust, Chennai December 2000 Vibration Society, Earth Bazaar, Chennai, July 2000Vibration Society, Auroville, India, 2000Gassen Kitchen, Zurich, Switzerland, May 2000World Musicians Meet, Sultan Pan Hotel, Alanya, Turkey, April 2000 Superchargers and other artistes, Zurich Switzerland, February 1999 1001 Beats, Old Stock Market, Zurich, Switzerland, February 1999 Vasanth Habba Festival, Nrityagram 1998 Raj-Hans Orchestra, India Tour - Indian Council for Cultural Relations, October 1995 Raj-Hans Orchestra, United Nations, New York, June 1995 Over 200 South Indian Carnatic concerts for various organisations, at different cities in India

Project Divakar's research interests extend across various aspects of south Indian popular music and inlude digital music technologies in comtemporary Tamil film music, notions of musical identity, aesthetics and artistic voice in Indian film music, and orchestras in Tamil film music.The current research project is about the music and sound of Tamil film songs that originate in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. These songs have undergone radical transformation in the past three decades, reflecting social, political, economic and cultural climate in the region, nation and from around the world. Methodologically, many of these changes arise from the way Tamil film songs are conceived and produced. This project examines recent changes to creative music practices in this film industry and the impact of such changes on contemporary Tamil film songs. The hypothesis here is that the availability and particular use of new digital technologies have significantly influenced creative music practices related to producing Tamil film songs, redefining its music and sound in a way that reflects the regions relationship with popular music from around the world.Divakar wishes to thank the following practitioners from the Tamil film industry for their valuable inputs. Kalyan, Y. Gee. Mahendran, V.S.Narasimhan, "Kavignar" Pirai Soodan, Rajoo Sundaram, K.S.Ravikumar, Selvaragavan, Shalini, "Kaviperarasu" Vairamuthu, Vidyasagar, "Mellisai Mannar" M.S.Viswanathan (alphabatically arranged).

Conferences Conference paper - "Tamil film songs: MIDI sequencing technology in creative practice" - Global perspectives on the 'orchestra': Workshop 3, titled Orchestras and the distribution of creativity: reflecting on archives, organisational processes and policies, Institute of Musical Research, University of London, 30 September 2011---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Conference paper - "Aesthetic signal processing and creativity in Tamil film songs" - Artistic work on the digital era international congress, organized by the University of Avignon, May, 2011. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Conference paper - "Tamil film songs: MIDI sequencing and creativity" - Workshop 2 titled Global perspectives on Orchestra organized by AHRC Centre for Musical Performance as Creative Practice (CMPCP), University of London, Nov. 2010. _____________________________________________________________________________________________Conference paper - "Art and craft of Tamil film songs: Now and then" - Artistic work and digital technologies seminar organized by the research group Laboritaire Georges Friedmann (University of Angers) at Paris - June 2010_____________________________________________________________________________________________Conference paper - "Producing Kollywood songs" - at the The Fifth Art of Record Production Conference, held at the Atrium, University of Glamorgan, Cardiff - November 2009_____________________________________________________________________________________________Conference paper - "The violin in Tamil film music" - London Fiddle Conference, held at School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, February 2009._____________________________________________________________________________________________Conference paper - "Technological influence on percussive elements of Kollywood songs" - Research Strategies conference - Indian Musicological Society, held at Nariman Centre for Performing Arts in Mumbai on the 9th January 2009. _____________________________________________________________________________________________Conference paper - "Kollywood: Influence of technology on Tamizh film music" - Post Graduate Student conference - Atrium: May 2008

Publications "An ethnographic diary of Tamil film songs - Introduction" - Le Carnets de Divakar, Cultures Sonores - French research web journal."Chennai: The city of cinema Paatu" - Le Carnets de Divakar, Cultures Sonores - French research we journal;.Currently writing a chapter for the 2012 edition of the reputed RESEAUX French journal.

Introduction The dominant role of Indian film music as popular music in the region, its eclectic musical makeup, growing global outreach, and the compounding interest amongst young aspirants, point towards a need to create more awareness on the intricacies of composing and producing Indian film music. Creative music practice in one of Indias film music industries entails understanding and implementing idiosyncrasies that are derived from local socio cultural realities. Such peculiarities mediate the synthesized application of plural music theories and creative use of modern music and sound technologies. While there exist many opportunities to study various forms of music and/or the use of modern technologies, options to learn the semiotics of popular Indian film music alongwith musical and technical skills are practically nonexistent. On this principle, Divakar conducts seminars, workshops and master classes on various aspects of creative music practice in Indian cinema. These discourses elaborate systematic and scientific approaches, regional musical meanings and emphasise continual identification and development of the artistic voice. This nexus of the art of science and science of art is the basis of Divakars work and passion. Divakar is collaborating with higher education institutions in India and abroad, to explore possible ways of disseminating this knowledge and skill.

Previous talks:

Masterclass at the Department of Indian music, University of Madras, Chennai - Jan. '09

Guest lectures at the School of Audio Engineering, Mumbai and Chennai - Jan. '09

STOMP percussion workshop series, Glamorgan GATES, Merthyr Tydfyl, Nov. '07

South Indian percussion workshop series, Glamorgan GATES, Merthyr Tydfyl, Oct. '07

"The World is your studio" - Music technology workshop, Magic Lantern Festival, Chennai, '05

2010 Seminar

Creative music practice in Indian cinema A one day seminar on music composition and production for Indian films04 Sep. 2010, 0900 hrs to 1700 hrsAcademy of Modern Danse, Russian centre for Science and Culture, ChennaiInaugural address: Renowned violinist Mr.V.S.NarasimhanSpeaker: Divakar SubramaniamClosing remarks: Music director Mr. Rabi DevendranWhat was it about?This seminar aimed to provide the participant with a comprehensive understanding of all creative processes related to producing music for moving image, with particular reference to the Indian film industry. It illustrated and emphasized creative use of new and cutting edge digital technological tools. The delivery included lectures (using practical examples) and interactive group discussions. Who was it for?This seminar was tailored for aspiring music composers, producers, sound technicians, musicians, vocalists and all those interested in generative aspects of Indian film music. Participants received a registration pack that included reading material and references for further reading.Speaker:Divakar is film music composer, researcher and lecturer at the University of Glamorgan in Cardiff. His research, centered around musicological aspects of the Tamil film industry, has received much acclaim at academic conferences around the world. As a practicing music producer, he works with leading music directors in the Tamil film industry. At the University, he teaches, recording practices, remixing techniques and creative music technology.Topics covered:Fundamentals of sound Musical frameworks Song composition Underscore or background music composition Musical aestheticsArtistic and technical resources Creative use of digital music technologies Recording techniquesAudio post-productionMusic Production - Tools & Technology updateProMusicals presented a demo of world leading brands such as Focusrite, Presonus,Universal Audio, Native Instruments, Novation, API, Toft Audio, Ableton and many others. Participants also benefitted from exclusive Pro Musicals offers on high quality music production hardware and software tools.

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"A curtain raiser for anybody aspiring to take up a career in Indian cinema in a professional way. Explained the various facets of music production in a lucid way."

Vijay Anand. D

Amateur composer

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"Seminar gives a complete framework for music production and the way it is done doing live makes it interesting."

Atul Shukla

Digital musician

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"The fact that there was a seminar on this topic is much needed."

Hamsavardhan

Musician

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"This is one place where we have joined together for an intellectual pursuit. It rarely happened in India until now. Awesome!"

Pradeep. G

Classical guitarist

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"Got to know the basics more clearly. Melodyne part was just amazing. Has given me an impetus to spend more time and get to know Indian music production more..."

Dr. Ashwin Kumar

Aspiring composer

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"In a short duration, many aspects of Indian film music has been touched upon....the seminar proved an excellent opportunity to know stuff!"

Ganesh Padmanabhan

Software professional

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"The amount of knowledge provided was really good. Course content is also good."

Kishan Kumar T

Software engineer

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"I really liked the discussion we had about Indian film music towards the end..."

Prasanna Sivaraman

Aspiring music composer

Participant feedback

2011 Seminar Series
Watch this space for dates, venues, indivudual seminar topics and information on fees and booking.

Subscribe to NEWSLETTER 2011 seminar series: Creative music practitioners in Indian cinemaOverviewThe 2011 seminar series titled Creative music practitioners in Indian cinema, brought to you T24 Inc., aims to provide fresh insights into contemporary music practices related producing music for any of Indias film industries (including Bollywood), through a comprehensive review of production roles that directly participate in creating, shaping and defining this music. The objective here is, to make available the idiosyncrasies pertaining to music practice in Indian films, which has unfortunately received minimal consideration from scholarly studies in ethnomusicology and popular music. This seminar series aims to create awareness of this eclectic style of music-making and to disseminate knowledge amongst those who aspire in participating or incorporating relevant particularities into their own professional lives. Each seminar will review an individual industry profile such as the music director, music arranger, music conductor, session musician, studio programmers, mixing engineer etc., discuss the metamorphosis of each role with reference to the introduction and use of digital music technologies and finally, the influence of such changes on the music, society and the wider community. The delivery will include lectures (using practical examples of composition and/or performance) and group discussions. Attendees will receive a registration pack that will include reading material and references for further reading and listening.This seminar series is suitable for aspiring music composers, producers, DJs, sound technicians, musicians, vocalists and all those interested in generative aspects of Indian film music.

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Forums

Why does India need film songs

Do Indian films need songs?

Amongst many aspects, the presence of film songs differentiate Indian films from other national cinema. What is its significance? Should this music exist within the context of film or externally, as an independant music industry similar to other popular music cultures?

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The one behind the music: Music directors or music producers?

Indian Film music composers have always been referred to as music directors, a usage from their early 20th century practice of directing live orchestras. With all the changes to the way film music is conceived and produced in India today, should they be referred to as music directors or music producers?

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These forums are intended to encourage healthy discussions and debates concerning various musicological aspects of Indian film music. The topics are broadly based on this theme and span creative, technical, social and cultural domains. The discussions are open to all visitors. Visitors can post comments and also suggest topics. You are requested to post on appropriate threads using "clean" language. All irrelevant, demeaning and marketing comments will be deleted.

Discussion Topics

1. Do Indian films need songs?

2. The one behind the music: Music directors or music producers?

3. Pros and cons of 'New' and 'Old' Indian film music

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