Song Doesn’t Come with a Deadline

How can someone in a creative field work with deadlines? How can a tune be composed under pressure—like when someone demands a song in three days? How is it even possible to compose so many different kinds of songs over the years? Music director Devi Sri Prasad (DSP) offers a single answer to all these questions.

According to DSP, “Creativity doesn’t work with deadlines. You shouldn’t sit down with the thought of composing a particular type of song.” That’s his core philosophy. He explains that when you sit down to compose a melody, sometimes a sad tune might emerge instead. Similarly, if you’re working on an item song, a soft melody might unexpectedly surface. That’s why he emphasizes going with the natural creative flow.

Devi says his day starts with enjoying music, and it's during that process of enjoyment that tunes begin to take shape. Sometimes it takes ten minutes, sometimes it takes an hour—but eventually, your inner composer leads you toward the work. External deadlines, he insists, don't inspire true creativity.

He also points out that some songs are born in a snap, while others might take days. But in every case, meaningful discussions are crucial. According to him, deep conversations with the lyricist and director breathe life into the song. If a catchy hook word comes up during the discussion, the rest of the composition flows more easily.

DSP is currently thrilled with the overwhelming response to the music he composed for the movie Kubera, as audiences are showering love on his work once again.