Charan Raj discusses composing music for Salaga

Whenever composer Charan Raj releases an album, Kannada film fans are in for a treat. And the music of Salaga has been no different. The recently released promotional track, featuring singers from the Siddhi community, is the new fan favourite. Charan decodes the process and talks about working with Duniya Vijay. “All my soundtracks need to be different, depending on the musical demands of the story.I begin working according to that, based on the director’s inputs. The collaboration of the team eventually shapes the sound of a film.”
Asked to define the sound of Salaga, he says it would be hard to categorise it. “Salaga has a lot of influences, be it trance or alternate rock or even street music. The background score has a lot of folk music in it, the Siddhi community has contributed a lot to this too. We have a promotional song out, but there will be a couple of pieces in crucial places in the film too.”
He is all praise for the freedom that he had while working on the soundtrack. “What I loved about Vijay sir is that he gave me a lot of space to work. Since I come from an alternate background, I always wondered how I’d fit into this scene. However, once I began working, he made me comfortable. I began understanding the characters. We had long discussions on what he wanted to convey. Eventually, when any director allows me to make mistakes, it gives me the push to work harder,” shares Charan.
Another hit track from the film is the romantic number Maleye Maleye. Charan reveals that the song came in as an afterthought. “Vijay sir showed me the visuals, we thought we could have a song there without it seeming forced as there was a good romantic thing going on in the film. It was magical when we eventually put the song on the visuals,” he adds.
Given how Salaga comes after the success of the music of Tagaru and Popcorn Monkey Tiger, Charan says, “I love peppy music and the commercial genre. Doing a commercial movie is tough. To come up with simple things that are catchy is very tough. It is easier to do complicated things and talk about the intricacies. These projects challenge me, as I need to give the listeners music that is easy on the ears. I need to ensure it is musical also, so I make up for that in the arrangements.”
Each of his albums have been different. “I work on each project as on a blank paper. I then start afresh. Eventually, whatever I make should surprise me too. Then, it gives me a kick. If I am surprised and like the soundtrack, then it will translate. The directors play a major part here, as they give the input. It eventually becomes me listening to sounds and music that have influenced the directors and I take that and give my inputs. I like to collaborate with good lyricists, who bring freshness to writing,” reveals Charan.