We made an appointment, as I was interested in getting his permission to use a poem that was featured in Makkal Osai (a local Tamil daily). “My album distributors, One Vision Entertainment, hooked me up with Datuk. He even bagged the Best Male Vocalist at last year’s MIMI (Malaysian Indian Music Industry) Awards.ĭhilip produced his first album last year, Kanavellam, which featured songs composed and arranged by him.įormer Works Minister Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu also contributed a poem that was used as lyrics for the song, Kanavugal Varum (Dreams Will Come). His productions have since appeared in local films November 24, Kanngal and Ivanthan Hero. He went on to form his own company, Dhilip Varman Productions, to produce jingles and local soundtracks for Indian telefilms. His first recording opportunity arose when he sang for local group Rogkwave for its Naveenam album.

Rahman, started his musical journey as a stage singer, performing at small shows.

But I went deep into Carnatic vocals under the tutelage of my vocal teacher, Elango,” he adds.ĭhilip, an ardent fan of renowned musical composers Illayaraja and A.R. “I learnt all I needed to learn about music from my dad, Sunder.

“I have always been in love with Tamil music, and I never thought of doing anything else but music,' says Dhilip, whose father was a lead guitarist and singer with Expressions on the club circuit. They fail to realise that people here are into South Indian cinema music and ballads. “I don't know why artistes skip this sort of music here. “If people say things like that, I must be doing something right,” says Dhilip, whose compositions are widely heard as theme songs for local Tamil telefilms.ĭhilip, who is releasing his second album today, shot to fame when his song Uyirai Thozhaiten (I Lost My Life), a composition by Jay of Stigmatrix, was featured on the local Tamil film, Kaathal Vendum.Īnd because local Indian artistes hardly dabble in melodious tracks or ballads, Dhillip’s Uyirai Thozhaiten was an instant hit when released on radio. He is talking in Tamil, refusing to speak in English. “I can only take that as a compliment,” he says over the phone from Penang. Many compare the texture and melody of his vocal range with that of Indian playback singers. A song you would not have heard even if you are an Indian cinema buff, because it is not a song from the shores of India.ĭhilip Varman, singer, lyricist and composer, is born and bred in Penang. AS he walks on stage towards the microphone, some would instantly presume he is another local cover-song singer.Īwaiting the latest Tamil film ballad to be belted out, he surprises you with something new.

Uyirai tholaithen short film