For Muthu, music has been a companion since childhood. He wrote songs about the people and events around him, drawing on romance, Nature and even historical incidents. Originally from Kollam, he later moved to Kochi, where he would jam on the streets, singing songs he had written and composed.
Theeraa Theeraa, sung and composed by Parvatish Pradeep and featuring Noel Alexander and Niranjana in the music video, is the latest addition to Muthu’s growing list of hits. The melodious romantic track, focuses on longing and heartbreak. His other recent chartbusters include ‘Madhana raavukal’ from Dhoomakethu, and ‘Asalayavale’ from the Prithviraj-starrer Khalifa, among others.
“I have been in touch with Parvatish since my first film, ED: Extra Decent, in which I wrote the song ‘Machinmele’. He wanted me to write a love track after his work with Think Music India was released,” says Muthu of his collaboration with the composer, best known for ‘Makane’ from Vaazha – Biopic of a Billion Boys and ‘Koodappirannor’ from Vaazha II: Biopic of a Billion Bros.
A still from ‘Theeraa Theeraa’
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Muthu’s first released track was ‘Atharaanu nee’, sung by Akbar Khan, four years ago. “Before that, I used to sing for my friends, who enjoyed my music. A neighbour who liked my songs offered to produce my first song. Once I released it, I had the confidence to bring out more tracks,” he says.
‘Ilakozhiye’ from the Arjun Asokan-starrer Thalavara, released in 2025, became a turning point. “Electronic Kili invited me to work with him when he got the chance to be a composer. The song gained a lot of attention. Composer Jakes Bejoy came across it. I had worked with him in Paathirathri, for which I wrote two songs. Then came Pallichatambi and Khalifa. I love his compositions and was looking forward to working with him,” says Muthu.
Muthu
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‘Asalayavale’, sung by Sid Sriram, has garnered more than 17 million views on YouTube. “I had to work hard on that song. We changed a few words from the initial draft and had multiple discussions with Vysakh sir, the film’s director,” says Muthu, who says he can write a song in 15 to 30 minutes.
“I work fast and get started as soon as I receive a brief. All lyricists have their own process. Sometimes I ask for the visuals of a song in a film. At times, just the situation or even the emotions they are trying to convey are enough,” says the 26-year-old artiste.
“On days when I have to write multiple songs, especially love songs, I become the characters in the tracks and try not to get stuck on one song. Once I complete it, I snap out of that feeling,” says Muthu.
His inspiration
Raised in a religious household in Kollam, Muthu trained and worked as a prayer leader at a mosque. He was influenced by his great-grandfather, Syed Sulaiman al Qahiri, who wrote poetry in Arabic and Tamil. “He inspired me with his travels and poems,” says Muthu.
Muthu lived in different parts of the country, including Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. “While pursuing a course in religious studies at Ghosi, Uttar Pradesh, I used to write Sufi songs and about the history of Sufi saints. I would ride my bicycle to a distant dargah in the afternoon to sing my songs and stay there until dusk. I observed the people who came there and listened to their stories. Those eventually became songs,” he says.
He also draws on lived experiences for his music. The hilarious ‘Sunnath kalyanam’ from Vaazha 2, which Muthu wrote, composed and sang, was inspired by how he was tricked into his own circumcision. “It happened just like you saw in the film, with relatives and friends giving me gifts afterwards,” he jokes.
Playback and indie tracks
Muthu moves between film songs and indie tracks. “When it is an independent project, the song is driven entirely by our choices. But in films, your vision has to align with the decisions of the director, composer and many others. By the time the song reaches us, it already has a structure; we need to bring it to life,” he says.
His upcoming projects include Disco, Prempaattta, Orijinal and Titans.
‘Theeraa Theeraa’ is streaming on all platforms
Published – October 07, 2026 05:00 pm IST
