Q. How did you get involved in an all women project like Mitr?
Ans. Mitr was not planned with an all women crew initially. As the project progressed quite a few women like Priya, Sudha, Fowzia and Bina became a part of the crew. Then the thought arose, 'Why not make it an all women's crew when the subject of the movie was related to women. It was then that I came into the scene.
When it came to a choice of women audio technicians there was not much of a choice. Apart from me, there was only Namita Nayak who worked on 1947 - A Love Story. You will find women in acting, direction and even cinematography but the women in the area of audiography are very few.
Q. What do you think is your contribution to the film?
Ans. I feel strongly about the DTS format as I have worked on every DTS movie mixed at Media Artists. I talked to Revathy about how DTS enhances the ambience and gives the movie depth. Mitr was also going to be released in overseas markets and I felt that DTS would give it an advantage.
It is a misconception that DTS has impact only in action and song sequences. It is also very effective in creating the atmosphere. For example, when Shobana is outside her house in USA, you can hear ambience mush, that is the sound of cars whizzing past at a distance. Other noises can be heard but their source is not seen in the frame. These sounds were recorded on location, as it is not possible to create the same effects artificially. The same was the case in the harbour scene and the scene in which Shobana is in a dance class.
Q. How was the experience of doing your first independent project?
Ans. It was a wonderful experience. When you are in charge of a project, the commitment and responsibility that you feel are definitely greater. This is because you are ultimately answerable for everything that is right or wrong with the project. When there is nobody to supervise then we become more alert.
Working with a woman director was a very positive experience. I was very comfortable and did not hesitate to express my opinion.
Q. Why did you choose Audio Engineering as your specialty?
Ans. I joined Audio Engineering because I wanted to do something different. I was thinking in terms of a job at the TV station. I wanted to do something creative and did not see myself doing a mechanical job.
When I entered the field in 1988, women were not encouraged to work in this field. The resistance was from my community and the men working in the field. This trend is definitely changing. Hard work and talent find expression nowadays.
Q. What would you like to tell women who want to be Audio Engineers?
Ans. Being successful in family life and career for a woman Audio Engineer is very tough because of the erratic working hours. Success is in your hands. Women should not be scared to meet challenges.
An interview with the Music Director, Bhavatharini Ilayaraaja
Q. How was the experience of working on your first movie as a music director?
Ans. It was a different experience working with a woman director. Revathy is a wonderful person to work with. I felt very comfortable working with her.
Q. How did you become a part of this film?
Ans. They (Revathy and Suresh Menon) were looking for a music director. They had heard the music album I had composed and liked it. I went to their office and met them. I liked the story, it had a new concept.
Initially Revathy wanted me to compose one song. When she liked what she heard, she asked me to compose other numbers too.
Q. How was your experience of working at Media Artists on Pro Tools systems?
Ans. The premixes and DTS effects for Mitr were done in Media Artists. The 'family feel' has come out very well. The sound balance is perfect.
I prefer to work on Pro Tools because of its flexibility. Though this is my first project on Pro Tools, both my brothers (Kartik Raja and Yuvanshankar Raja) work on it. When my father Sri Ilayaraaja worked on Pro Tools for 'Hey Ram' I sat with him. That was a good learning experience.
Q. What are your plans for the future? Would you like to give preference to the singer or composer?
Ans. Right now, I am busy with my singing. I have sung in Bharati, Friends, Deena, Malle Malle and recently Azhagi.
I definitely want to compose but only for good themes. There are many people already composing for regular movies. I don't want to do that. I want to compose for offbeat films with a good idea backing them.
Revathy Menon on DTS
There is a major difference between the mono sound and the DTS sound because DTS highlights the little little sounds that you think about… from a spoon being put there to a little bird chirping somewhere outside. You know the ambience makes a lot of difference and there DTS is amazing.
I realized we were able to do a few interesting things like throwing sound and it is heard. You have the sound perspective.
Mitr - My Friend is all about the need for women to have a life beyond their homes, husband and children. It is a woman's journey of self-discovery and the quest for self-respect.
