Rex Vijayan

Last updated

Rex Vijayan
Rex Vijayan.jpg
Rex live on stage
Background information
Born (1983-04-26) 26 April 1983 (age 40)
Kollam, Kerala, India
Genres
Occupation(s)
Instrument(s)Guitar, keyboard, synthesizer, ukulele
Years active1995present
Member of Avial
Formerly of Motherjane

Rex Vijayan (born 26 April 1983) is an Indian composer, guitarist, singer, record producer and multi-instrumentalist from Kerala. He is best known for being co-founder and guitarist for the alternative Malayali rock band Avial. He started out his career as a composer in the Malayalam film industry through Kerala Cafe by giving the score to Anwar Rasheed's segment 'Bridge'.

Contents

Early life

He is the son of Albert Vijayan, a music director in Malayalam films. He self-learnt to play various instruments at a very young age and began his musical career by mastering cover versions. [1] He married Chintu Ramesh on 14 March 2008 at Kollam. [2] His brother Jackson Vijayan is also a musician.

Motherjane

Vijayan was part of the popular Kochi based rock band Motherjane, as the rhythm guitarist from 2000 to 2003. [3] Even though he left the band in 2003, He continued to associate with Motherjane as a consultant. He was the producer of the band's singles Jihad(2010), Clayplay(2015) and Namaste(2018). [4] [5] [6]

Avial

He is the music composer, lead guitarist and synthesizer of the Trivandrum-based Malayalam alternative rock band "Avial" since 2003.[ citation needed ]

Other collaborations

He was part of an amateur German hip-hop band "Intensive Erfrischung" (Intensive Refreshment), which was based in Munich. He is also actively involved with Daksha Seth's Dance Company, which is concerned with performing on stage contemporary dance. Gibson Guitar Corporation, USA offered him to be their endorsee for their latest high end series guitar "Gibson Les Paul Classic".[ citation needed ]. He has also produced and composed music for some ad-films with Papaya Media, Kerala Tourism Dept. etc.

Film composing

Rex debuted into film music direction with Anwar Rasheed's 'Bridge', a segment of the portmanteau film Kerala Cafe . He then did the composing of Chaappa Kurishu directed by Sameer Thahir, 22 Female Kottayam , by Aashiq Abu, helped with the background score of films Second Show and Friday and did music for Shyamaprasad's movie English in which he collaborated with American clarinet player and music composer Shankar Tucker in the song Aakashame featuring Rohan Kymal on vocals. He then did the title track for Anil Radhakrishnan Menon's debut movie North 24 Kaatham starring Fahadh Faasil. Rex Vijayan become a playback singer with ‘Enthanu Bhai' in Aashiq Abu's film Da Thadiya . His work for Sameer Thahir's second movie Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi (after his directorial debut 'Chaappa Kurishu') has set a path breaking trend in malayalam film music. [7] [8] [9] Rex has also sung the title track 'Neelakasham' for the movie. [10]

Sapthamashree Thaskaraha was Rex's next film, in which he composed songs such as Thaane Pookum and Nam Onnaayi. [11] After that Rex went on to do the background score for Picket 43 . He returned after a break with Parava in 2017. Later in the year he composed music for Aashiq Abu's Mayaanadhi . Rex's composition for the film was well appreciated. The song Mizhiyil Ninnum was a sensational hit [12] [13] and singer Shahabaz Aman won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer for the rendition. [14] [15] His latest releases as music composer are Sudani from Nigeria (2018), Thamaasha (2019) and Valiyaperunnal (2019), all were widely acclaimed. [16] [17] [18] He also served as music producer for the 2020 movie Halal Love Story . [19]

Discography

Original soundtracks

FilmTracklistNotes
2009 Kerala Cafe Background Score (Segment: Bridge)
2011 Chappa Kurishu
  1. Orunaalum Kaanaathe
  2. Theeye Theeye
Also composed Background Score
2012 22 Female Kottayam
  1. Melle Kollum
Co-composed background score with Bijibal
Second Show Background Score only
Friday
2013 English
  1. Maayumee
  2. Aakashame
  3. Nila Vaaname
  4. Shalabhamayi
  5. Thaarame
Also Composed Background Score
Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi
  1. Doore Doore
  2. Thaazhvaram
  3. Neelakasham
  4. Neerppalunkukal
  5. Ami Hitmajare
Also composed Background Score
North 24 Kaatham
  1. Thaanaaro (Title Song)
Title Song only
2014 Sapthamashree Thaskaraha
  1. Kayyethum Doorathu
  2. Naam Onnayi
  3. Sapthamashree Thaskara
  4. Thaane Pookkum
2015 Picket 43 Background score only
Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi
  1. Aayiram Kaalamaayi
  2. Thaarangal Paadunne
  3. Kunnimani
  4. Dheera Charitha
2017 Parava
  1. Pyaar Pyaar
  2. Ormakal
  3. Pakalin Vaathil
Co-composed Background Score with Yakzan Gary Pereira, Neha Nair and Sekhar Menon
Mayaanadhi
  1. Kiliye
  2. Uyirin Nadhiye
  3. Kaattil
  4. Mizhiyil Ninnum
1song (Kaattil) co-composed with Shahabaz Aman;

Co-composed Background Score with Yakzan Gary Pereira and Neha Nair

2018 Sudani from Nigeria
  1. Kurrah
  2. Kinavu Kondoru
  3. Cherukatha Pole
1 song (Kurrah) co-composed with Shahabaz Aman;

Co-composed Background Score with Yakzan Gary Pereira, Neha Nair and Kishan Mohan

2019 Thamaasha
  1. Paadi Njan
  2. Kaanumbol Ninne
1 song (Paadi Njan) co-composed with Shahabaz Aman;

Also composed Background Score with Yakzan Gary Pereira and Neha Nair

Valiyaperunnal
  1. 'Hey' Song
  2. Chemmanam
  3. Labbaikkallah
  4. Thazhvarangal
  5. Piraanth
  6. Kochi-Mattanchery
  7. Uyirullavaram
  8. Vandu Njan
Also composed Background Score
2020 Halal Love Story
  1. Sundaranayavane
  2. Bismillah
Credited as Music Producer
2023Neelavelicham

As playback singer [20]

YearSongMovieCo-singer(s)Music Director/ Composer
2011Oru Naalum Kaanathe Chappa Kurishu Rashmi SatheeshHimself
2012Enthanu Bhai Da Thadiya Bijibal,
Jayaram Ranjith
Bijibal
2013Neelakasham Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi Himself
2015Tharangal Padunne Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi
2017Pyar Pyar Parava
Uyirin Nadhiye Mayaanadhi Neha Nair
2018Cherukatha Pole Sudani from Nigeria Imam Majboor
2019Thazhvarangal Valiyaperunnal
2020Jaalame Trance Lal Krishna, Divya S Menon, Namitha Raju, Gagul Joseph, Jackson VijayanJackson Vijayan
2023Manuja Romancham Sushin Shyam

Awards

YearAwardCategoryFilm/Album/SongNotes
2018 Filmfare Awards South [21] Best Music Director Mayanadi
2018Indywood Academy Awards [22] Best Music Director Mayanadi
2018Mazhavil Mango Music Awards [23] Best Music Director Mayanadi
2018Movie Street Film Awards [24] Best Music Director Mayanadi
2018 CPC Cine Awards [25] Best Music Director Mayanadi, Parava

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motherjane</span> Indian Rock Band

Motherjane is an Indian rock band from Kochi, in southwestern India, formed in 1996. The band consists of John Thomas, Clyde Rozario, Niranj Suresh (vocals) and Anubhav Langthasa (guitars). They have released a total of three studio albums, and five singles. Since their formation, genres like progressive rock and Carnatic music have influenced their music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avial (band)</span>

Avial are an Indian alternative rock band formed in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India in 2003, and known for their Malayalam lyrics. The band initially included lead vocalist Anandraj Benjamin Paul, guitarist Rex Vijayan, turntablist and backing vocalist Tony John, bassist Naresh Kamath and drummer Mithun Puthanveetil. Avial had their first breakthrough with the 2003 single "Nada Nada". They are known for pioneering what they call "Alternative Malayali rock", which is the style of combining Malayalam lyrics and rock music. Their eponymous album got them six out of seven Jack Daniels Rock Awards and Footprints Young Achiever's Award in 2008. The band was praised for achieving mainstream success despite singing in their native language.

<i>Salt N Pepper</i> 2011 Indian romantic comedy film

Salt N' Pepper is a 2011 Indian Malayalam-language romantic comedy film directed by Aashiq Abu and produced for Lucsam Creations. The film stars Lal, Asif Ali, Shwetha Menon, and Mythili in the lead roles, while Baburaj and Vijayaraghavan play supporting roles.

<i>Chaappa Kurishu</i> 2011 Indian film

Chaappa Kurishu is a 2011 Indian Malayalam-language thriller film co-written and directed by Sameer Thahir and starring Vineeth Sreenivasan, Fahadh Faasil, Roma Asrani, Remya Nambeesan and Nivetha Thomas in the lead roles.

Sameer C. ThahirISC is an Indian cinematographer, screenwriter, producer and film director, who works primarily in Malayalam cinema.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bala Hijam</span> Indian actress (born 1992)

Surja Bala Hijam, better known as Bala Hijam is an Indian actress, who predominantly appears in Manipuri films. She is best known for her lead role in Malayalam road film, titled Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi .

New generation films is a Malayalam film movement developed in the early 2010s, characterized by fresh and unusual themes and new narrative techniques. Films of the new wave differ from conventional themes of the past two decades and introduced several new trends and techniques to the Malayalam film industry. While the new generation formats and styles are deeply influenced by global trends, their thematics are firmly rooted in Malayalee life and mindscapes.

<i>Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi</i> 2013 Indian film

Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi is a 2013 Indian Malayalam-language road adventure film directed and co-produced by Sameer Thahir and written by Hashir Mohamed. The film stars Dulquer Salmaan and Sunny Wayne with Dhritiman Chatterjee, Surja Bala Hijam in supporting roles. The movie was a hit at the Kerala box office and has since developed a cult following among the youth of Kerala. The film began shooting in the north-eastern state of Nagaland in February 2013 and completed its shoot in June 2013. The film was shot at real locations in eight Indian states, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, West Bengal, Nagaland and Sikkim.

Hashir Mohamed is a screen writer in Malayalam cinema.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girish Gangadharan</span> Indian cinematographer

Girish GangadharanISC is an Indian cinematographer known for his work in Malayalam and Tamil films. He is the recipient of the National Film Award for Best Cinematography for his work in the 2019 film Jallikkattu directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery, which was India's official entry to that year's Oscars. Additionally, he has also worked on Tamil-language blockbusters like Sarkar and Vikram.

Priyanka Mohan, better known by her stage name Avantika Mohan is an Indian actress and model. She made her feature film debut with Yakshi – Faithfully Yours and later earned popularity through the TV series Athmasakhi.

Vinayak Sasikumar is an Indian lyricist, who works in Malayalam cinema.

John P. Varkey was an Indian guitarist, songwriter and composer. He began his career as a session guitarist. He brought out three albums with Jigsaw Puzzle by the label BMG Crescendo which were innovative and well accepted by the new generation and led to the formation of band Avial. John discontinued from Avial and independently directed music for many Indian big time feature films with prominent productions and directors. His ideas and innovative sound textures made many films come to life. Varkey first came to prominence as a member of the Malayalam rock band Avial, which itself evolved out of a band called Jigsaw Puzzle. Varkey was the guitarist and songwriter for the Thrissur-based band, Slowpedalers.

<i>Kali</i> (film) 2016 Indian film

Kali (transl. Rage) is a 2016 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film directed and co-produced by Sameer Thahir. It stars Dulquer Salmaan and Sai Pallavi in lead roles. It is the second collaboration of Thahir and Salmaan, after Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi (2013).

Shane Nigam is an Indian actor who appears in Malayalam films. Having made his debut in a credited role with the 2013 road film Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi (2013), he went to receive wider attention for his performances in various successful drama films Kismath (2016), Parava (2017), Kumbalangi Nights (2019), Ishq (2019), Bhoothakaalam (2022), and RDX: Robert Dony Xavier (2023).

Johnpaul George is an Indian script writer and film director active in the Malayalam film industry. He is best known for his debut film Guppy, which was released in August 2016.

Sushin Shyam is an Indian music composer, instrumentalist, and singer primarily associated with Malayalam cinema. He is also a founding member of the folk metal band The Down Troddence. He is known for his contributions to the films Varathan (2018), Kumbalangi Nights (2019), Minnal Murali (2021), Bheeshma Parvam (2022), Romancham (2023), Kannur Squad (2023) and Manjummel Boys (2024). His work on Kumbalangi Nights earned him the Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director in 2019.

<i>Mayaanadhi</i> 2017 film directed by Aashiq Abu

Mayaanadhi is a 2017 Indian Malayalam-language romantic thriller film directed and co-produced by Aashiq Abu, and written by Syam Pushkaran and Dileesh Nair. The film stars Tovino Thomas as a criminal on the run and Aishwarya Lekshmi as an aspiring actress. Their troubled love and struggle for survival form the basic plot of the film. It released on 22 December 2017 to widespread critical acclaim from critics. The film was praised for the way it tackled with sexuality and was included in The Hindu 's top 25 Malayalam films of the decade.

<i>Thamaasha</i> 2019 Indian Malayalam-language film

Thamaasha (transl. Joke) is a 2019 Indian Malayalam-language film written and directed by Ashraf Hamza and produced by Sameer Thahir, Shyju Khalid, Lijo Jose Pellissery and Chemban Vinod Jose.The film stars Vinay Forrt, Chinnu Chandhini, Divya Prabha and Grace Antony. The music was composed by Rex Vijayan and Shahabaz Aman. The film released in theaters on 5 June 2019. The movie is an official remake of the 2017 Kannada movie Ondu Motteya Kathe.

Mashar Hamsa is an Indian costume designer from Kerala, who works in the Malayalam films. He started his career as a film costume designer in 2013 with the movie Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi. As of April 2023, Mashar has designed costumes for more than 30 Malayalam films. He is a recipient of 2020 Kerala Film Critics Association Awards for best costume designer for the movie Trance.

References

  1. "Oh brother!". The Hindu. 21 November 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  2. "Two Becomes One". The New Indian Express. 13 January 2015. Archived from the original on 22 November 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  3. "The King of six strings". The Hindu. 25 October 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  4. Anand, Shilpa Nair (9 January 2015). "Motherjane set to 'play' - Thiruvananthapuram - The Hindu". The Hindu.
  5. "Listen to Motherjane's new single Namaste".
  6. Kolkata, Retro (16 December 2018). "Interview with Motherjane | India | Guest Band | World Music". Retro Kolkata. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  7. C, Sharika (11 August 2013). "Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi: A riveting ride - The Hindu". The Hindu.
  8. "Neelakasham Pacha Kadal Chuvanna Bhoomi – Music Review (Malayalam Soundtrack)". 8 August 2013.
  9. "Neelakasham Pachakkadal Chuvanna Bhoomi". Archived from the original on 14 June 2015.
  10. "Neelakasham Pacha Kadal Chuvanna Bhoomi (Music review), Malayalam – Rex Vijayan by Milliblog!". 3 August 2013.
  11. "Rex Vijayan for Sapthamasree". The IndiaGlitz. 20 August 2014. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  12. "'എനിക്കങ്ങനെ ഒരു പാട്ട് ഉണ്ടാക്കാനാകുമെന്ന് കരുതുന്നില്ല. ആഷിഖ് ഇക്കാര്യം പറഞ്ഞപ്പോള്‍ ഞെട്ടി'".
  13. "'നിത്യകാമുകാ ആഷിക് അബൂ, ജന്മദിനാശംസകള്‍' -ഷഹബാസ് അമന്‍".
  14. "Shahabaz Aman and I composed Mayaanadhi tunes like band members: Rex Vijayan - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  15. "Rex Vijayan's soulful and nostalgic music- Cinema express". Cinema Express .
  16. "'Sudani from Nigeria' review: a magical delight laced with football". OnManorama. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  17. "Warmth and sensitivity in equal measure - The Hindu". The Hindu. 8 June 2019.
  18. "Rex Vijayan crafts a colorfully experimental pop soundtrack in 'Valiya Perunnal' | by Dhinoj Dings | Film+Music | Medium". 29 December 2019.
  19. "ഹലാല്‍ ലൗ സ്റ്റോറി മോഷന്‍ പോസ്റ്റര്‍ പുറത്തിറങ്ങി".
  20. "List of Malayalam Songs sung by Rex Vijayan".
  21. "Rex Vijayan feels honored to have won an award at the Jio Filmfare Awards - Times of India ►". The Times of India .
  22. "Indywood Academy Awards".
  23. "Home".
  24. "Home".
  25. "CPC Awards announced; Thondimuthalum Drik Sakshiyum Best Picture".