How Samuel Nicholas, Harris Jayaraj’s son, is making a mark in music

Samuel Nicholas, son of Tamil film composer Harris Jayaraj, follows in his father's footsteps. He has released an independent single, ‘Aiyayo’.

The year was 2001. AR Rahman was ruling the roost, not just in Tamil film music but also dishing out memorable albums like Lagaan in Hindi. Ilaiyaraaja was still sought-after, working on films like Vikram-starrer Kasi and the Vijay-Suriya-starrer Friends.

And that is when Minnale hit screens. The sound of ‘Maddy O Maddy’ echoed in theatres, even as the melodic strains of ‘Vaseegara’ captured the imagination of many. Gautham Menon had arrived as a filmmaker, and with him, brought along an exciting new composer called Harris Jayaraj.

Minnale released in February 2021, when Harris was looking forward to becoming a father. When he was basking in the success of the film, he became a father to a baby boy named Samuel Nicholas. “I was a toddler then and was oblivious to the impact this film had on our lives,” says Samuel, “Growing up, I used to take Minnale for granted, but as the days have gone by, I am revisiting these albums and wondering how this person packed so many good songs in it,” he says, referring to the early work of his father.

The right noise

At Studio H, the composer’s studio-cum-residence in Valasaravakkam, Samuel Nicholas has had the best seat in the house, during the making of many superhit Tamil film albums. “In my formative years, I didn’t see my father much, because he was working day and night on his films,” he recalls, “I used to take my PSP wherever I went, and if it made some noise in the studio, I’d get angry stares from my dad.”

Once he reached an age where he “would behave”, Samuel would be let in for a recording session but with a strict diktat: to stay completely silent. “I would observe who’s coming and visiting. Sometimes, just to amuse himself, he would record my voice.” Samuel’s first music contribution was in Suriya-starrer 7aum Arivu, where Harris recorded a chorus of children. He has since, been actively involved in many film albums, assisting his father on musical work. “As I became more aware and musically inclined, I listened to many songs and kept thinking about why they chose to do some things, and why they didn’t. I soon started making tunes of my own.”

Keep it young