‘Today’s film songs are made for ringtones; singers only need 50% talent’: Veteran composer Ousepachan marks 50 years in music

“In today’s times, a singer only needs 50 per cent talent. It is technology that completes the song and presents it beautifully before the audience,” says veteran music composer Ousepachan in a candid revelation about the hidden realities behind the birth of songs. Even today, he continues to compose music for films across generations, and his reflections touch upon both old and new songs, as well as the paths through which they are born.

He began by recalling a memory associated with a film song.

“It was by chance that such a song flowed into my ears. On first hearing, I liked it very much. Feeling it to be grand, I even called a close friend and urged him to listen to the song, praising its beauty in detail. Later, after lunch, I played the song once again. The feeling that filled my heart was something else entirely. I thought—how strange that I had spoken so highly about this song just earlier. On the second listen, there was no emotion at all; the excitement of the first hearing had completely vanished. This was not an isolated incident. Many new songs today have this quality—the initial thrill fades instantly. The reason is that most songs today lack true music. Yet, composers like me are compelled to create such songs,” Ousepachan said.

According to him, the status given to songs in films has also changed over the years. He recalled a director who approached him with instructions for a film song.

“The director told me that his film did not require music or deep emotion in the song. What the times demanded was simply a mix of sounds that could work as ringtones,” he recounted. Even though he sometimes has to compose such songs as part of his work, Ousepachan admitted that he cannot connect with them wholeheartedly.

“What I have always felt is that the success of a film plays the most important role in making a song popular. Though exceptions are rare, it has happened at times. When a film succeeds, even a song that is only fifty per cent good is widely accepted. On the other hand, when a film fails, even its best songs go unnoticed. Interestingly, songs from unsuccessful films have, years later, won appreciation. Some songs from films that were never even released are today featuring in YouTube’s hit charts,” he observed.