For a generation navigating the complexities of love and loss, the voice of Sid Sriram has been a constant companion. Whether it's the heart-wrenching 'Yaen Ennai Pirindhaai' from Adithya Varma articulating unspoken pain, or the haunting melody of 'Maruvaarthai' from Enai Noki Paayum Thota providing solace on a lonely drive, his songs have scored countless personal stories. Yet, behind this defining sound of modern cinematic romance lies a deep, ancient rhythm rooted in the tradition of Carnatic music.
The Sacred Ground of Margazhi: A 25-Year Journey
In an exclusive conversation, Sid Sriram reflected on the profound significance of the Margazhi season, the Tamil month of music and devotion. His journey with it began early. "I first started performing for Margazhi when I was around 10 or 11. So, it's been like 25 years now," he shared. He describes it as a festival he has grown with, one that became intrinsically linked to his professional artistry after he began his career in 2012.
"It feels like an intense vortex," he said of the season, noting the concentration of Carnatic concerts within a single month. "It's rigorous, but very fulfilling. This forum is so close to me. It's been the engine behind all my pursuits. To sit on stage and let everything else go feels very special." The sabha stage, with its silence and scrutiny, remains his foundational ground.
Discipline, Influences, and the Whimsical Persona
Managing the overwhelming schedule of the season requires strict discipline. Sriram maintains a regimented routine: daily morning exercise, boxing, minimal talking on concert days, and a consistent eating schedule. Interestingly, during Margazhi, he avoids listening to Carnatic music, opting instead for jazz legends like John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Wayne Shorter. This, he explains, ensures that when he sings, he is pulling from a deep, internalized well of knowledge rather than surface-level imitation.
For emotional reset, his musical anchors are clear. In Carnatic music, he frequently returns to the legends: M.S. Subbulakshmi, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, Madurai Mani Iyer, and Madurai Somu. He also revealed a side of himself that his serious stage presence might conceal. "I'm a pretty whimsical dude. I don't take myself all that seriously. I like to joke around," he confessed, highlighting the contrast between his off-stage personality and the intensity of his performances.
Cinema, Concerts, and Connecting Generations
The surge in his film popularity, particularly after the hit song 'Thalli Pogathey' in 2017, brought new, younger audiences to his Carnatic concerts. However, Sriram insists his approach to the classical form remains unchanged. "I've always approached Carnatic music with curiosity, believing it's infinite," he stated. He sees the influx of film fans as a responsibility, aiming to show that Carnatic music is both dynamic and accessible.
A poignant moment this season underscored this beautiful synergy. His first concert at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan was packed, with people sitting on the stage and every seat full. The audience spanned from three-year-old children to elders in their 90s. "That fills me with gratitude for my roots and for the fact that they're still alive so vibrantly in what I do," he expressed.
When asked about film songs that personally changed him, he pointed to the recent 'Nee Singam Dhaan' for its exploration of glory, and his work with A.R. Rahman. He also highlighted 'Adiye' as a milestone. "It showed me that you can let two very different cultures converse without forcing it. That ethos has been the cornerstone of my career," he explained.
The Live Experience: Where Music Truly Breathes
For Sriram, the studio recording is merely a blueprint. "Live is where it comes to life," he asserted, naming songs like 'Ennadi Maayavi Nee' and 'Inkem Inkem Inkem Kaavaale' as examples that truly shine on stage. A deeply moving moment occurred recently while he was singing 'Enna Kavi Padinalum' in Raga Neelamani. The profound pain in the piece moved him to tears during the charanam. After the concert, two elderly women, one in her late 70s and the other in her 90s, approached him, also in tears. "When what you present shakes someone that deeply, it's profoundly affirming," he said. "Fame is fun, but the goal has always been to impact people through music."
Whether performing at Coachella or in a Margazhi sabha, the core principle remains the same for Sid Sriram: honesty and vulnerability. The context changes, but the source of his music does not. From the global stage back to the sacred, silent halls of Chennai's music season, he continues his unique mission—bridging worlds with a voice that speaks equally to the heartbroken and the devoted.
