While the Mozart of Madras, A.R. Rahman is no stranger to the big stage, his sister Isshrath Quadhre, is no slouch in the singing department herself. However, she had gone slightly under the radar for a while. But all that is set to change with the recent signing of a big Hollywood film, Lake of Fire, which marks her debut as a composer in the major league.
“I never dreamt of composing for movies! But it’s thanks to my anna, who has always been motivating me to go beyond singing and try my hand at composing, that I was able to achieve this. Two of my well-wishers also encouraged me to get into this,” says Isshrath.
After watching her sing at the United Nations, Hollywood filmmaker Raj Thiruselvan and producer Basia asked her to compose for the Lake of Fire, a romantic drama. “I was at the practice session for the song Ennile Maha Oliyo from our album Rasayana Rojakkal, which is on female empowerment. Both Raj Thiruselvan and Basia visited the place and were watching me from a distance. Later, they came to me and asked if I was A.R. Rahman’s sister. They said that they were looking for fresh talent for their film and that they were impressed with my work,” recalls Isshrath, who has also composed a lullaby in Aishwarya Dhanush’s Cinema Veeran.
Raj Thiruselvan apparently narrated a part of the script and the situation for the songs. “I suggested that it can be motivational, composed the rough mix and gave it to them. They were thrilled and said, ‘This was the kind of music we expected’,” she says.
The movie has both Tamil and English songs. While the lyrics of the Tamil song Kanavugal Balithidum was penned by Isshrath and Kutti Revathy, she wrote the English number Break The Sorrows, with Aryan Shekar. Isshrath adds, “I have also rendered the Tamil number and both have different tunes and arrangements.” So, what was her brother’s reaction? Isshrath smiles and says, “He was very happy. After all, he is my role model and biggest inspiration. After getting words of appreciation from the makers of Lake of Fire, my anna shared those joyful moments with my mother. It was blissful.”
She adds, “If there’s an influence of his music in my compositions, I take it as a compliment. After all, I grew up listening to his music and being part of his endeavours most of the time.”
