Music didn't just happen to me; I chose it for life: Thaman S

Time of India

6 hours ago

Thaman S
Thaman S didn't just stumble into music; he grew up surrounded by it. From watching his father drum for hundreds of films to touring the world with SP Balasubrahmanyam, Thaman's early years were shaped by rhythm, loss, and relentless learning.
Acting in
Boys
may have briefly taken him in another direction, but music was always the goal. Now one of the most sought-after composers in the South, Thaman looks back on the trials that shaped him, the mentors who guided him, and the mindset that keeps him grounded.
With a journey that began with an impromptu performance as a kid to touring with S P Balasubrahmanyam, Thaman S has carved an illustrious path in music, establishing himself as as one of the most sought-after music directors
'It was my father who discovered that I had a natural sense of rhythm'
Thaman was born in Chennai to Telugu-speaking parents. 'My father hailed from Nellore, and my mother is from Guntur.
Though I occasionally visit those places, I've never lived there. Chennai has always been my base. I was born and raised here.' His father, Ghantasala Siva Kumar, a respected drummer with credits in hundreds of films, was the first to recognise his potential. 'My father used to practise at home, and I'd join in, playing alongside him.
That's how he discovered I had a natural sense of rhythm. No one taught me; it was instinctive, something that came by blood.
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During his breaks, I'd grab the sticks and take over.'
Even in a home filled with music, convincing his family it could be a real career wasn't easy. 'In most families, even musical ones, there's a dream that the child becomes a doctor or engineer. It's the default template. Convincing my family that music was in my blood and that it came from them wasn't easy. My father faced many hardships in his musical journey, and understandably, he didn't want me to go through the same struggles.
The film industry is unpredictable, one flop can pull you down, one hit can take you to the top. There are countless logistics involved, and that's something we learned early on.'
Everything changed in 1995, when Thaman was just nine and lost his father to a heart attack. 'My mother only realised that music was in my blood, rather painfully, only after I lost my father. That's when what was once a hobby became a lifelong commitment.'
Thaman S
'Boys was an accidental entry, I only wanted to learn'
Drums were Thaman's first love, but as the industry evolved, he adapted. 'I noticed that musicians who could play both drums and keyboards were getting more opportunities. So I thought, okay, I should learn keyboards too, for survival. What started as a necessity soon became a passion. I began composing my own tunes and set them aside, waiting for the right moment.'
That moment first came in an unexpected form: acting.
While working as a drummer with AR Rahman, Thaman got an unexpected offer. 'Director Shankar was looking for a stout drummer for
Boys
. When he saw me, he asked if I could play. I told him, 'Yes, I'm a professional drummer.' That's how I was cast.' Though acting wasn't his goal, the film was a masterclass. 'I was curious. Why is Shankar sir such a big name? Why is AM Ratnam so respected? What makes Ravi K Chandran, Sabu Cyril, and of course Rahman sir, masters of their craft? Boys helped me observe all of that firsthand.'
A still from Boys (2003)
'My dream was to become a music director by the age of 25'
Boys
released in 2003, but Thaman had already been working in the music industry since 1995, starting at the age of 9. 'I resumed my journey with
Mani Sharma
sir. From
Okkadu
to
Billa
, I worked with him on nearly 94 films. I was learning constantly, working non-stop for about eight years. My dream was to become a music director by the age of 25 — and in my 25th year, 2008, I achieved it.'
Thaman's debut as a composer came with
Moscowin Kavery
in Tamil, followed by
Malli Malli
and
Kick
in Telugu. Though
Moscowin Kavery
was his first project,
Kick
and
Malli Malli
hit the screens earlier, launching him into public attention all at once.
'It was a high-pressure transition. Because once you become a music director, no one calls you to play under them anymore. The mindset changes: 'He's a music director now, why should we call him?' I felt that shift and it weighed on me. There were moments I questioned myself: Should I go back to programming, or stay on this path?'
Still, he held on.
'I believe beyond talent, success has its own timing. Somewhere, I feel my father was watching from above, guiding me through every challenge.'
AR Rahman and Thaman S
'Ilaiyaraaja sir is in my blood, Rahman sir is the nerve that carries it'
At home, Ilaiyaraaja was ever-present. On the outside, AR Rahman was changing the game. 'Ilaiyaraaja sir's music shaped my instincts. And when Rahman sir came in, he brought a whole new sound. If Ilaiyaraaja sir is in my blood, Rahman sir is the nerve that carries it.
I'm a mix of both.'
Rahman also became a benchmark in reinvention. 'He could've retired comfortably, but he's still pushing boundaries. He challenges us to evolve. Technology is always evolving and he taught us to stay curious. Comfort is the enemy of creativity. You either evolve, or you get left behind.'