Malayali monkey on stage | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Malayalee Monkeys rocked the Malayalam indie music scene last year by wearing monkey masks. They haven’t revealed their names or faces yet, but they have created a stir with their unique songs.
After his debut song ‘Ombalum Kanjiyum’ went viral, he sang Fahadh Faasil’s song ‘Mathapithakkale Mappu’ with MC Cooper. surgeHis second single ‘Okku’ was released a few days ago.
Raw and bold lyrics, unconventional vocals, and offbeat music videos have earned her many fans, despite some words in her songs causing controversy.
The group acknowledged that their lyrics have gotten them into trouble. “We understand why they are upset. Thankfully there is a generation that connects with what we do. When we write songs it is like talking to a friend and the intention is not to hurt anyone. Our songs are an escape from our sorrows and troubles. We are glad that at least some people understand what we are trying to convey.”
The musicians say both ‘Ombalam Kanjiyum’ and ‘Okku’ are inspired by their personal struggles. “It is difficult for independent musicians to find success and we have experienced it. The turning point came when one of us had a college reunion and we joined him. When everyone parted ways, we realised we had no money. We approached a few friends for help, but to no avail. ‘Ombalam Kanjiyum’, which means completely broken, a mess, was born out of that desperate situation,” they say.
The Malayali monkeys wear masks and prefer to remain anonymous | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The song was ready in 45 minutes. The musicians say that making this song gave them relief. The musician says, “This song was circulated among our friends and some future directors of the group wanted to make a music video on it. This is how the idea of ​​making a music video was born.”
The specialty of the viral video, directed by Basil Prasad, was that all the three lead actors were in prosthetic makeup. The song, which ranked second on Spotify India’s ‘Viral India’ playlist in 2023, was selected for screening in the music video category at the 16th Kerala International Documentary and Short Film Festival held this July.
‘Okku’ is based on how they are often ridiculed or made fun of. “The word has many meanings, some of them derogatory. But we are talking about being ridiculed or made fun of by others,” says the artist.
The members revealed that they left their well-paying jobs to pursue their passion for music. One member said, “Our work makes us happy. From the beginning, we were sure that we would not make stereotypical tracks.”
Malayali monkey on stage | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The greatest joy came when Sushin Shyam called them to sing ‘Mathapithakkale’. The trio say, “Only then did we feel that the industry has accepted us. We have been recognised.”
Their name, Malayali Monkeys, is inspired by the term ‘Malayali Manga’, which means a Malayali woman, who is considered the stereotypical, traditional Malayali beauty. They say, “Malayali Monkeys means perfect monkeys!”
Masks have a purpose. “We all wear a mask, an invisible mask, to hide our true selves from others. But when we wear our masks we find the freedom to express ourselves however we wish,” the singer explains.
The musicians say they are enjoying the anonymity. They say, “Sushin Shyam is one of the few people who has seen our faces and knows our names!”
Even their family didn’t know what they were doing until ‘Ombalam Kanjiyum’ became a hit. “They were getting worried and complaining about what we were doing in our lives and so we had to tell them. But when my mother heard the song she was shocked. Her initial reaction was, “Why can’t you make something nice?”,” said one of the members, adding that they designed the masks with the help of their friends at the National Institute of Design.
The group is now happy with several shows and a few film projects. “We understand that this is a trend and it won’t be permanent. So we are enjoying it while it lasts. In the meantime, we are planning to bring out different versions of our songs in the future. There will be a version that won’t bother the listeners. But we will continue to create unconventional content.”
Published – September 06, 2024 12:59 PM IST
