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        Technology boom has driven growth in all spheres. Sound engineering is no exception to this. Taking cue of the rapid strides, Anandan Gajapathi, a silent worker having a sound career after mastering the skills under the tutelage of his guru sound engineer Sampath at AVM studios forayed into setting up a sound factory along with his two friends.

        How come this humble and soft-natured youth hailing from a remote Cheiyya-thuvannam village in North Arcot district chose to make Chennai his home?

        'My father came here in 1985 since farming did not pay.' Gajapathi said and added that his father got a job in TNEB.

        'After schooling at Porur Government school, I wanted to pursue a course at ITI when my uncle Chandrababu, who had a canteen at AVM Rajeswari Theatre advised me to join AVM Studios', he said. That was the turning point in his life.

        Starting as an office attendant, he won the hearts of his boss to get an opening at the dubbing theatre in the sprawling AVM Gardens. Like a blessing in disguise came yet another offer for this enterprising youth. He was entrusted with the affairs of a second theatre.

        Having been in close proximity with sound engineers, he developed a fascination for sound engineering and thus joined sound engineer Sampath as his assistant.

        'It was a gurukulam for me where I learnt the nuances of sound engineering for well over three years', Gajapathi said that he gained confidence to make a career out of sound.

        Gajapathi made his debut as Assistant Recordist for the AVM serial Ippadikku Thendral. Later he got an elevation as Recordist serving for three years. His ambition was the light of the day when he became the sound engineer at AVM.

        Gajapathi's friends—Panneerselvam, Ramasamy (editors) also from the AVM stable joined him in a joint effort to set up a shop. Thus, the trio launched their studio christening it as PRG Studios ideally located at Saligramam. While Gajapathi takes care of sound, his friends are at the editing suite.

        'As a sound engineer, I have to give the maximum output with perfection since sound plays an integral part in the success of film or serial,' he said.

        'However, we have to update our knoweldge keeping in tune with the changes in software', Gajapathi said for people in this creative work, it is a learning process every day.

        Elakkanam, Manathodu Mazhai Kaalam, Saravana are some of the films that were dubbed at the studios besides a serial Lakshmi.. The dubbing of Mansoor Ali Khan's film Ennai Paar Yogam Varum is now underway. Besides, Iraq Express-the Telugu version of the English film was dubbed and mixed here which is noteworthy to mention. Gajapathi is assisted by Varadan on sound.

        Gajapathi's brother Manjunath is an assistant director working for AVM serial Girija, MA.

        Gajapathi, a bachelor, is a contented man. That is more than many can say. And it sounds nice.