Bathukamma song reflects Telangana culture: Director Gautham Menon

Hyderabad: Ace director Gautham Vasudev Menon, who filmed and directed Telangana Jagruthi’s Bathukamma song “Allipoola Vennela,” described Bathukamma as a festival of the women, by the women and for the women. The floral festival has been declared a State festival by the Telangana government. The music for the video song was composed by Oscar winner […]

Hyderabad: Ace director Gautham Vasudev Menon, who filmed and directed Telangana Jagruthi’s Bathukamma song “Allipoola Vennela,” described Bathukamma as a festival of the women, by the women and for the women. The floral festival has been declared a State festival by the Telangana government.

The music for the video song was composed by Oscar winner AR Rahman, and has gone viral on social media. It is choreographed by National Award winner Brinda, sung by popular singer Uthara Unnikrishnan and penned by Mittapalli Surender.

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The song was released by Telangana Jagruthi founder and MLC K Kavitha last Tuesday. Film director Gautham Vasudev Menon, in an exclusive interview with Telangana Today, spoke about his experience in making the video song.

Reasons for filming the song
A friend of mine has made 1,000 short films on different aspects and regions. Inspired by him, I wanted to travel across the country and film festivities of different regions. The song on Bathukamma reflects Telangana’s culture. This is my first song and many more will be coming up on different cultures.

Striking aspect about Bathukamma
It is a floral festival for the women, of the women and by the women. The flowers used for the festivities are inexpensive and are easily available. Goddess Gouri puja is performed and lot of family bonding takes place during the festivities, especially with women dancing and singing.

Roping in Oscar winner AR Rahman on board
He was hard-pressed for time but composed the music for the song in a week. I think he liked the concept of Bathukamma being a festival of women. He was shown a lot of references and stories were narrated about the festivities.

Support from Telangana Jagruthi
Telangana Jagruthi founder and MLC K Kavitha madam extended all support, especially logistics. Actually, discussions were on to film the song last year but due to covid things got delayed. With government permitting film shootings, the song was picturised at Pochampally and other places and over 120 people worked for the song. She helped us a lot and local people too were very supportive.

Any plan to make a song on Bonalu
It is too early to comment. I want to film songs on different regions across the country. Regarding second song, I can’t reveal much now and break the suspense.

On playback singing, acting, dubbing for other artists and film directing
Yes, I have done all these but I feel directing a film is a very challenging job.

On making a feature film and web series for OTT
Personally for me, there is no difference. I put equal effort for any work, even if it happens to be shooting a song to be released on youtube. The only difference would be duration. For a film, we work for about 35 to 40 days, for OTT programmes, it could be little less.

On the next Telugu film
Talks are on with couple of producers and frontline actors. There will be an announcement next year.

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