Interview: And the Oscar Goes to … Raw and Rustic
On his whistle-stop visit to Atlanta, Chandrabose, the lyricist of the now globally-famous “Naatu Naatu” song, talks, among other things, of how he wrote 90 percent of this Oscar-winning song in just 40 minutes but it took him 19 months to finish the final 10 percent.
[Left] Archith Seshadri interviewing Oscar award-winning lyricist, Chandrabose.
Between the original Telugu version and the Hindi version, the exuberant “Naatu Naatu” song has had close to 450 million views on YouTube. The world recently saw Chandrabose, the lyricist of this global sensation, accompany M. Keeravani, its music composer, step onto the stage at the Dolby Theater at the 95th awards ceremony of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. With close to 20 million people worldwide watching the event live, the man behind the many glorious words of the highly charismatic “Naatu Naatu” song simply needed two words to convey his feelings of pride: “Jai Hind!”
Meeting Chandrabose in Atlanta just two days after this milestone moment and being allowed the privilege of holding the famed gold-plated statue, even if only for a minute, was one of those moments that will stay with me for a long time.
Kanukuntla Subhash Chandrabose is no stranger to the fans of Telugu cinema. Over a career spanning more than 25 years, he has penned more than 3600 songs, some of which have earned him awards such as South Indian International Movie Awards and Filmfare - Telugu.
Following is an excerpt from Khabar’s interview with Chandrabose, who was felicitated in Atlanta by Chand Akkineni, Goutham Goli, Dr. Sreeni Gangasani, and other supporting individuals and organizations.
How do you feel after winning the Oscar? What does it mean for Indian cinema, especially Telugu cinema?
This is the first time that an Indian song, and that too a Telugu song, got nominated for Oscars... first time in its 95 years history. So, we are very proud. This is a great and memorable moment for all Telugu people. Also, Indians all over the country are feeling great that an Indian song won an Oscar.
Tell us the backstory. What went into writing this song?
When Rajamouli Garu and Keeravani Garu called me, and Rajamouli Garu narrated the situation to me, their only instruction for writing this song was, “Whatever you want to write is your wish, but don’t criticize or abuse the [antagonists]. The song should convey the strength, ability, guts, and power of the [heroes], but don’t degrade others.” That is the only thing he told me. In the whole song, the heroes, the protagonists, demonstrate their energy, ability, strength, and power, but they don’t abuse the other people around them. That is the main thing in the song.
“Naatu Naatu” is also a very catchy word with a lot of meaning. In every line, there is a special and unique meaning. Even those who do not understand Telugu will feel the sound inside the song. That is the power of “naadam”—what we call “naada shakti”—when, [even] if we don’t know the meaning, we can still feel the meaning inside the word.
I read somewhere that it took you 19 months to write the song.
I wrote 90 percent of the song in just 45 minutes in a complete flow. When I started writing, it just flowed. I’m a village guy. I come from a small village in a rural place in Telangana’s Bhupalapally district [then Warangal district in Andhra Pradesh]. So, whatever I wrote in the song—everything came from my experience.
The remaining 10 percent took 19 months. But all through the process, I never felt low. Every time Rajamouli Garu asked me for one word, I gave him four. If he asked for two words, I used to give him eight words. So, throughout those 19 months, I was energetic and in full mood to write as many versions [as required], any number of revisions. I had total endurance, perseverance, and patience.
For those who don’t speak Telugu, what is the meaning of the word “Naatu”?
“Naatu” means raw, rustic, completely original. It is not about made-over things. The original and purest form of anything is called “naatu.” [Originating] from the countryside, from a small village, the song [has come to] rule all over the world today. So, that is the glory of the song, the true victory of the song. From the meaning of the word to the power of the sound of the word.
Explain the how and why of the emotion in the song.
It is not only a song, it is actually a scene in form of a song. It is a complete scene, a micro movie. That’s because it has a [vibrant] beginning, a great ending, and a beautiful flow in between. Plus, it has all emotions—it has love, friendship, sacrifice, victory, and betrayal inside the song.
At the Awards ceremony, when you heard RRR being mentioned, and Deepika Padukone announced the performance, what went through your mind? Were you nervous?
Actually, I was very confident about RRR from the beginning. But when they announced the other nominees—Lady Gaga and Rihanna—I got nervous [but only] for about 10 seconds. I felt some tension and held MMK’s hand. When they announced, “The Oscar for the best song goes to RRR,” we were on cloud nine!
Did you ever think that you’d be holding this famed Oscar statue?
Never even in my wildest dreams. My life’s ambition has been to get one national award. That’s it! If I had got one national award, that would have been enough for my entire life. But God gave me so much. He gave me four international awards! First, I got the Golden Globe; second, I got the Critics’ Choice Award; third, I got the Hollywood Critics Association Award; and fourth, the one and only Oscar.
How heavy is it by the way? Not all of us get to hold an Oscar.
Someone asked me what is my responsibility after getting this. I jokingly said that my responsibility has increased by 20 kilograms. Oscar is three-and-half kilograms; the Golden Globe is seven kilograms; the Critics’ Choice Award is six kilograms; and Hollywood Critics Association Award is three kilograms. So, a total of 20 kilograms of responsibility has increased.
After famously reinventing his career from consulting to journalism, Archith Seshadri is a news anchor + reporter for Nexstar Media Group as the Atlanta Bureau Chief. Outside of TV news, Archith leads “the ARCH way” where he combines his passion for storytelling as an actor, improviser, host, yoga teacher, and food blogger!
Dance like the lead dancer at a festival for the local goddess!
A song that was raw, rustic, original, and pure…naatu naatu. (Photo: courtesy of Variance films/DVV Entertainment.)
Raw. Rustic. Original. Colloquial. Ethnic. Unvarnished. Pure. These can be some synonyms for the Telugu word, naatu. The vibes of these descriptions are certainly evident in the inspired lyrics of “Naatu Naatu.” Following is a translation.
Like the lead dancer dancing at a local goddess’s festival
Like an aggressive bull jumping in the dust of the fields, you to dance
Like the main dancer dancing at the festival of a local goddess
Like playing with the stick while wearing wooden slippers
Like a gang of young boys assembling under the shade of a banyan tree
Like as if you are eating a Jowar roti with a chili Listen to my song (x3)
Let’s dance, dance, dance / crazy dance
Let’s dance, dance, dance / wild dance
Dance as if you have eaten green chilies / dance like a sharp dagger
Like a beating drum that makes your heart beat faster
Like the shrill voice of a bird which can make your ears
Like singing a song that can make your fingers snap to the beat
Like the wild dance with a fast beat
Like the dance that makes your body sweat
Listen to my song (x3)
Let’s dance, dance, and dance / let’s dance, crazy dance
Let’s dance, dance, and dance / let’s dance, wild dance
Let’s dance, like the sharp plough
Let’s dance, dance and dance / let’s dance, like the humidity
Dance so that the blood in your body jumps violently, which will shale the earth (yes, yes!)
The life force inside of you should dance with joy, so jump until the dust rises in the air / let’s dance
(Translation credit: Lyrics Raag)
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