Aalaap who enthralled music buffs with his honey sodden voice and took them on a heavenly spree with ‘Engeyum kaadhal’ title track and created ripples with ‘Enamo aedho’ from movie Ko in the south Indian film industry. The young singer with his frisky, youthful, melodious and distinct voice has caught the attention of every music lover across the spectrum.

How did Aalaap Raju a statistics student peak the height of singing?

It wasn’t a personal choice of mine to enter the field of economics or IT, but somehow I landed up in these streams. It was always music the prime priority of my life.

You hails from a musical family, is that the reason why music chronicled first priority in your life?

I won’t completely agree with you, but that’s also one among the pool of reasons. First vocal recording was done for my dad J.M Raju devotional album as a child artist. And have adoringly watched my mom Latha Raju and my late grandmother Shantha .P. Nair singing. So yes, I could easily train myself as a singer as music buzzed in my ears all the time.

Tamil film industry is one of the most recognized film industries in India; Aalaap Raju is now a wanted voice of this renowned cinema world. What do you feel about it?

I am still in cloud nine. Started singing for my college music band, then I never thought of being a part of this big screen studios. Now am here and it’s all because of Harris Jayaraj’s miraculous call.

How did Harris Jayaraj work as a Magic Jayaraj for you?

I sang and mixed an English song by eagles “Love will keep us alive” and a few Tamil songs as a musical portfolio. I had earlier worked with him by playing bass guitar for his movie ‘aadhavan’. When he called me up during the period he was working on movie Ko, I never expected that it was for a singing assignment; after finishing the song ‘ennammo aedho’, he said, “You are quitting bass playing and welcome to the world of singing. Soon followed ‘engeyum kadhal title track’ and very soon going to release ‘nanban’.

How comfortable are you with other music directors?

I have played bass for many leading music directors. The maestro Ilayaraja sir, Thaman, Deepak Dev, D. Imman, Harris Jayaraj, Karthik Raja. And my latest releases are songs from “muppozhuthum un karpanaigal” for G.V Prakash Kumar and “nanban” for Harris Jayaraj. For me they all are god sent.

If Aalaap is asked in his dream, who is his favorite music director, whose name would he take?

Without any doubt, it would be Ilayaraja sir. Raja sir’s songs have been a great inspiration for me since childhood to enter bass playing. He is a musical genius who takes bass guitar to a whole new level and does mind blowing experiments with that amazing instrument.

Being a native Keralite, how close are you with the Malayalam music diligence?

Late Johnson master was a dear friend of my dad. I used to listen to his songs. I still remember me attending a preview of the Malayalam movie ‘Isabella’ when I was a child. Being a small kid, I used to recognize the rhythm of the bass guitar used in his songs. And now, I played bass for Deepak Dev for his song ‘Pranaya nila’ of ‘Theja bhai and family, he is more than a music director to me. And of course how can I ever be detached from my mother land?  Presently working on an album song with my music band ‘RAHLAAP’; we are planning to release it in three different languages including Malayalam.

When and how was RAHLAAP structured?

Rahul Nambiar is my dearest and the closest buddy who knows me both professionally and personally very well. Even our musical tastes were jelling so well. So we are thinking of bringing back the Indi pop culture through our Hindi album. The slum dog millionaire fame ‘Raqueeb Alam’ penned the lyrics for our songs. You can listen to the songs visiting www.rahlaap.com.. Its Rahul and Aalaap formed ‘RAHLAAP’. Working and waiting to release it under a big banner.

About your home sweet home?

I live with my dad, mom, and wife Dimple and 1 year old daughter Dia Samara. My wife definitely contributes by not contributing much. She does not make it a big deal that I am a singer. That’s what I like about her. There are many occasions when I go through emotional roller coaster but she is my leveler. She is firmly grounded and brings me to terra firma. When I gave up my full fledged IT career and pursued with my passion it was my wife who held my hands.

Wasn’t it difficult for you to quit your IT job to enter the very uncertain yet the very lucky art field?

I was following my dreams. It was there somewhere hidden inside me, but it took a while for me to realize it. I used to do gigging as a bass guitar player. I lied to my boss all the time taking out any stomach pain or headache. So how long could I stand with such silly reasons? I decided to quit when my concentration got completely lost in my job.

What are your other foremost interests?

Before I took bass guitar in my hands, it was a cricket bat that I held. Even went for the state level selection. But the moment I reached and saw the upcoming Sachins and Gangulys there, I said, “beta! It’s not your area”. But yes I still love cricket and I love playing it. I love western music more than any other forms of music. The world renowned bass guitar player ‘Victor Wooten’ is my idol. And this love has taken me to associate with many Jazz bands for their world concerts.