19/10/2025

ON SUNDAY October 19, 2025 theSunday Special VII

“I pray my music inspires them to dream big. If some one from Klang can start in the underground circuit and work their way up to build a career, a family and a

legacy, then anything is possible. I don’t always know what’s real and what’s not

F lying the Malaysian flag high, Balan continues to spotlight the beauty and strength of the Tamil language.

and the odds can be stacked against you, but believe in your dreams and stay grounded. Today, you have every tool you need. The world is yours,” he shared. In a world where fame moves at lightning speed, Balan stands as proof that true artistry is built on depth rather than spectacle. His music embodies both heritage and hope, serving as a reminder that the strongest voices are those rooted in something larger than themselves. For Balan, representing Malay sia is not a branding exercise but a calling and every beat, every verse, every rhyme is his way of answering it.

F amily first … The driving force behind his music and motivation to keep dreaming big.

EVERY Deepavali, homes across Malaysia come alive with colour, conversation and song. Beyond the glow of ghee lamps and the laughter of family gatherings, music holds a special place; it connects genera tions, bridging the sounds of the past with the pulse of today. For many Malaysian Indians, Tamil songs form the soundtrack of the Deepavali Festival. From classic devotional hymns to contemporary tracks that blend ancient ragas with modern beats, the music reflects the duality of Deepavali itself: Reverence and renewal, tradition and transformation. In recent years, a new wave of local artistes has carried this spirit forward, fusing Tamil verses with Malay, English and Even in fast-paced kuthu numbers, there is a percussive quality in the conso nants that drives the beat forward. By preserving Tamil through song, musicians are also preserving history. Each track becomes an archive of idioms, proverbs and expressions that might otherwise fade from daily speech. As urbanisation and globalisation accelerate, music offers a gentle resistance, remind ing listeners that heritage is not a relic. It is living, breathing, capable of adapting without losing its soul. For Balan, it has never been only about the Tamil language. It is about being proudly Malaysian, living in a tapestry of cultures and languages, lifting one another and placing the nation at the forefront of the global music scene. “I want people to know that I carry my flag with my music wherever it goes. The Malaysian spirit must always be present. Rap culture may not have originated here, but poetry and rhythm live in every heartbeat. When I create music today, I write with my heart on my sleeve and pray it reaches someone who needs healing,” he expressed, citing Malaysian legends such as P Ramlee and Dato Sri Siti Nurhaliza as his idols.

global influences. It’s more than just creative experimentation. It’s a celebration of identity, a reaffirmation that Tamil, one of the world’s oldest living languages, continues to evolve and shine. As families prepare for the festival – string ing kolam, donning new clothes and sharing sweets the songs that play in the background do more than entertain. They remind listeners of their heritage, of the resilience of language and culture that have endured through migra tion, modernity and change. Deepavali, after all, is about light triumphing over darkness. In that sense, every melody that carries the Tamil language forward is a spark of its own, a small flame of pride, faith and continuity. “Malaysia has some of the best musi cians in the world. The body of work and the growth we have seen in the last 60 years are extraordinary. From P Ramlee to David Arumugam to M Nasir, I could name countless more. “One of my dream collaborations would be with Jaclyn Victor. Her voice deserves to be heard around the world. And of course, M Nasir, Yogi B, Too Phat and Lock Up, because I grew up listening to them. It would be incredible to create music together and make something truly timeless,” he said, hopeful. Looking at the state of young and upcoming talents today, Balan advised that while it is good to dream big, staying true to Malaysian roots and letting culture speak through the music is what truly matters. He urged young artistes to approach global influences with discernment, to celebrate creativity without losing them selves to the excesses often associated with budaya kuning. For him, cultural pride is not about rejecting what is foreign, but about grounding ambition in identity, ensuring that success abroad still reflects the heart of home.

Lighting the way with language