Sayyed Hesham Abdul Wahab (born 14 October 1990) is an Indian music director, music producer, singer and audio engineer who predominantly works in Malayalam cinema.[2][3] He is best known for his compositions for the soundtrack of Hridayam (2022) and the music album Qadham Badha[4] produced by British singer-songwriter Sami Yusuf. He is the recipient of a Kerala State Film Award, SIIMA Award, and IIFA Award for music direction.[5]
Hesham Abdul Wahab | |
|---|---|
 Abdul Wahab in 2018 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Sayyed Hesham Abdul Wahab |
| Born | 14 October 1990 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Spouse | Ayshath Safa |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument(s) | Keyboard, piano, vocals |
| Labels | Think Music |
Early life
editSayyed Hesham Abdul Wahab was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Born in a family of musicians,[6] he took interest in music at a very young age and got professional training in Carnatic and Hindustani classical music. He started singing at the early age of 8 and was introduced to piano when he was 11.
After completing schooling from International Indian School in Riyadh, Wahab went on to complete a diploma in audio engineering and a Bachelor of Arts degree in audio production from SAE Institute with top honors.[7]
Hesham married Ayshath Safa on 22 January 2018.
Career
editEarly career
editHesham left Saudi Arabia to go to India in 2007 to be part of the music reality show Idea Star Singer[8] which paved the way for his foray into playback singing and later composing.
Recording career
editWahab's first recording project was in 2013 with his first single Meri Dua[9] produced by Offline Creations. He got his first major break when Andante Records signed him for their record label. His first album Qadam Badha(Step Forward),[10] an amalgamation of Sufi music and World Music produced by eminent Iran born British singer-songwriter Sami Yusuf was released in 2015.
Music composing
editWahab forayed into Malayalam film industry as a music director in 2013 year with the film Salt Mango Tree.[11] His debut as a music composer for the Bollywood film[12] Mera India is set to release in 2019. He has also worked with several noted composers and lent his voice to many Indian films. In 2018, his song Jaana Meri Janaa from the film Cappuccino fetched Vineeth Sreenivasan his second SIIMA Award for the Best Playback Singer in Malayalam.[13]
In 2018, Wahab founded LIVEwithMUSIC, an independent music academy where he takes classes on sound production.[14] Hesham arranged and mixed filmmaker Alphonse Puthren's debut composition Kathakal Chollidaam which was released as a music video featuring several Malayalam film actors and their children. He composed the soundtrack of Vineeth Sreenivasan's film Hridayam, which consists of 15 songs.[15] He has since composed music for other Malayalam films, including Madhura Manohara Moham (2023), and Sesham Mike-il Fathima (2023).
Wahab made his Telugu composing debut with the romantic comedy Kushi (2023) and went on to compose music for the Telugu romance films Hi Nanna (2023) and Manamey (2024).
Discography
editAll films are in Malayalam, unless otherwise noted.
| Year | Film | Soundtrack | Film score | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Salt Mango Tree | Yes | No | 3 songs | |
| 2017 | Cappuccino | Yes | No | 5 songs | |
| Pretham Undu Sookshikkuka | Yes | Yes | 4 songs | ||
| 2018 | Angane Njanum Premichu | Yes | Yes | 5 songs | |
| Marubhoomiyile Mazhathullikal | Yes | Yes | 2 songs | ||
| 2019 | Mohabbathin Kunjabdulla | Yes | No | 2 songs | |
| 2022 | Ole Kanda Naal | Yes | Yes | 3 songs | |
| Varthamanam | Yes | No | 1 song | ||
| Aanaparambile World Cup | Yes | No | 1 song | ||
| Cabin | Yes | Yes | 2 songs | ||
| Chuzhal | Yes | Yes | |||
| Madhuram | Yes | No | |||
| 2022 | Hridayam | Yes | Yes | ||
| Mike | Yes | Yes | |||
| Ini Utharam | Yes | Yes | |||
| 2023 | Madhura Manohara Moham | Yes | Yes | [16] | |
| Kushi | Yes | Yes | Telugu film | [17] | |
| Sesham Mike-il Fathima | Yes | Yes | [18] | ||
| Spark L.I.F.E | Yes | Yes | Telugu film | ||
| Philip's | Yes | Yes | |||
| Hi Nanna | Yes | Yes | Telugu film | ||
| 2024 | Once Upon a Time in Kochi | Yes | Yes | [19] | |
| Manamey | Yes | Yes | Telugu film | ||
| TBA | The Girlfriend † | Yes | Yes | Telugu film | [20] |
| 8 Vasanthalu † | Yes | Yes | Telugu film | [21] | |
| Once More † | Yes | Yes | Tamil film | [22] |
TV series
edit- Kerala Crime Files (2023)
- Kerala Crime Files (Season II)[23]
Albums
edit- Qadam Badha (2015)
Music videos
edit- Meri Dua (2013)
- Mothirakkallu (2019)[24]
- Await (2020)[25]
- Yatra (2020)[26]
- Mounam (2021)
- Tribute to World Cup Football (2022)[27]
Playback singer
edit| Year | Song | Film/Album | Composer | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Panivizhum Kaalama | Pattalam | Jassie Gift | Tamil |
| 2011 | Kannerinjal[28] | Traffic | Mejo Joseph | Malayalam |
| Ladki | The Train | Sreenivas | ||
| Vidhuramee Yatra | Gaddama | Bennet–Veetraag | ||
| 2013 | Thaazhvaaram | Thira | Shaan Rahman | |
| 2014 | Mounam Chorum, Sneham Cherum | Ohm Shanthi Oshaana | Shaan Rahman | |
| 2015 | Jeevanil | Swargathekkal Sundaram | Rakesh Keshav | |
| Kattummel,Kanavil | Salt Mango Tree | Hesham Abdul Wahab | ||
| 2016 | Are Thu Chakkar | Valleem Thetti Pulleem Thetti | Sooraj S Kurup | |
| Ethu Meghamaari | Kochavva Paulo Ayyappa Coelho | Shaan Rahman | ||
| Pulkodiyil | Take Off | Shaan Rahman | ||
| 2017 | Thumbikal Thaalam Thullum | Chicken Kokkachi | Jassie Gift | |
| Ente Bharatham | Ente Bharatham | Binesh Mani | ||
| 2018 | Oru Thee Pole | Aadu 2 | Shaan Rahman | |
| Snehithano | Angane Njanum Premichu | Hesham Abdul Wahab | ||
| Swapnam Swargam | Padayottam | Prashant Pillai | ||
| Kannoram | Marubhoomiyile Mazhathullikal | Hesham Abdul Wahab | ||
| 2019 | Maahiya | Oru Adaar Love | Shaan Rahman | |
| Manushya Nee | Kalippu | Anaz Sainudeen | ||
| Safarnama | Muhabbathin Kunjabdulla | Hesham Abdul Wahab | ||
| Mere Maula | Pranaya Meenukalude Kadal | Shaan Rahman | ||
| 2021 | Zindagi | Varthamanam | Hesham Abdul Wahab | |
| Chollamo | Ole Kanda Naal | |||
| Darshana | Hridayam | |||
| 2022 | Kumkumamaake | Brahmāstra (Malayalam) | Pritam | |
| 2023 | Doore Oru Mukilin | Aromalinte Aadhyathe Pranayam | Charles Simon | |
| Na Roja Nuvve | Kushi | Hesham Abdul Wahab | Telugu | |
| En Rojaa Neeye | Tamil | |||
| Nanna Roja Neene | Kannada | |||
| En Rojaa Neeye | Malayalam | |||
| Kushi Title Song | Telugu | |||
| Hindi | ||||
| Yedhaki Oka Gaayam | Telugu | |||
| Gaaju Bomma | Hi Nanna | |||
| Idhe Idhe | ||||
| Kannaadi Kannaadi | Tamil | |||
| Anbe Anbe | ||||
| Magalalla | Kannada | |||
| Idhe Idhe | ||||
| Konjathe Konjathe | Malayalam | |||
| Penne Penne | ||||
| Sheeshe Ki Gudiya | Hi Papa (Hindi title of Hi Nanna) | Hindi | ||
| Pehle Pehle | ||||
| Idhi Idhi Maaya | Spark L.I.F.E | Telugu | ||
| Gnapakaalu | ||||
| Thinkal Poovin | Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum | Justin Prabhakaran | Malayalam | |
| Ushaa Kiraname | Vela | Sam C. S. | ||
| Sadhaa | Philip's | Hesham Abdul Wahab | ||
| Niraye | ||||
| Ninne Kandannu | Qalb | Prakash Alex | ||
| Malarthan Vizhundhadhu | Aneethi | G. V. Prakash Kumar | Tamil | |
| 2024 | Njaanaalunna | Varshangalkku Shesham | Hesham Abdul Wahab | Malayalam |
| Kande Njaan Aakashathoru | Once upon a time in Kochi | |||
| Aazhithiramaala | Pushpaka Vimanam | Rahul Raj |
Awards and nominations
edit- 2015 – Best Music Director – Kairali Cultural Forum Abu Dhabi – Short Film Festival[29] – Oru Vappichi Katha
- 2015 – Best Upcoming Music Composer of the Year – Mirchi Music Awards South[30] – Salt Mango Tree
- 2016 – Best Singer – Ramu Kariat Award[31] – "Kattummel" (Salt Mango Tree)
- 2021 – Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director – Hridayam
- 2021 – Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Music Director – Hridayam[32]
- 2022 – Best Song – Mazhavil Music Awards – "Darshana" (Hridayam)[33]
- 2024 – Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Music Director – Telugu – Hi Nanna and Kushi
- 2024 – SIIMA Award for Best Music Director – Telugu – Hi Nanna and Kushi
- 2024 – IIFA Award for Best Music Director – Telugu – Hi Nanna[34]
References
edit- ^ "Sami Yusuf's blessed life – The British singer on his latest peace project and move to Hollywood". Retrieved 5 February 2015.
- ^ "Hesham Wahab's music for 'Salt Mango Tree'". The Times of India. 16 January 2017.
- ^ "List of Malayalam Songs by Singers Hesham Abdul Wahab". MSIDB.org. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
- ^ "Hesham Abdul Wahab – Qadam Badha". The Hindu. 10 March 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
- ^ Desk, Entertainment (27 May 2022). "52nd Kerala State Film Awards: The complete winners list". The Indian Express.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "It was my dream to become a composer: Hesham Abdul Wahab". The Times of India. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
- ^ "Sami Yusuf's latest discovery, Hesham Abdul Wahab, releases new album Qaddam Badha". The National. 19 January 2015.
- ^ "Music is my first love: Hesham Abdul Wahab". Times of Oman. Archived from the original on 21 December 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
- ^ "Meri Dua – Hesham Abdul Wahab (Official Music Video)". Offline Creations. Retrieved 24 February 2016 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Album review: Qadam Badha". The National. 26 January 2015. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
- ^ "'Salt Mango Tree': Let them fly". Manorama Online. Manorama News.
- ^ "Hesham to debut in Bollywood". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
- ^ "Malayala Manorama".
- ^ S, Gautham (27 February 2021). "Hesham marches to his own tune". The New Indian Express.
- ^ Sidhardhan, Sanjith (22 February 2021). "Vineeth Sreenivasan writes, sings for Alphonse Puthren's composition Kathakal Chollidaam". Times of India.
- ^ "Sharafudheen-Rajisha Vijayan's next titled Madhura Manohara Moham; First look out". Cinema Express. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
- ^ Soman, Deepa (21 April 2022). "Hesham Abdul Wahab to debut in Telugu through Vijay Deverakonda's next". Times of India.
- ^ "Kalyani Priyadarshan to headline 'Sesham Mike-il Fathima' – Times of India". The Times of India. 11 September 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
- ^ "Kande Njanaakaashathoru song from Once Upon a Time in Kochi is out". Cinema Express. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
- ^ Bureau, The Hindu (7 December 2023). "Rashmika Mandanna begins shooting for Rahul Ravindran's 'The Girlfriend'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "'8 Vasanthalu' wraps filming across multiple scenic locations in India". The Times of India. 20 August 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ "'Once More': Hesham Abdul Wahab to make Tamil debut with Arjun Das and Aditi Shankar's film". The Hindu. 5 October 2024.
- ^ Bureau, The Hindu (20 February 2024). "'Kerala Crime Files' season 2 goes into production". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Mothirakkallu". Apple Music.
- ^ "Await | Hesham Abdul Wahab". Spotify. 25 May 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- ^ "Yatra by Hesham Abdul Wahab feat. Arun Naik". Amazon Music.
- ^ "Mohanlal's musical tribute to FIFA World Cup 2022 impresses football lovers, watch video". English.Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
- ^ "Traffic Songs Download, Traffic Malayalam MP3 Songs, Raaga.com Malayalam Songs". www.raaga.com.
- ^ ""Oru Vappachi Katha" Short Film By Thamar" – via YouTube.
- ^ "Upcoming Music composer of the year Archives".
- ^ Menon, Anasuya (24 December 2016). "A space so Sufi". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
- ^ "Kerala Film Critics Awards announced, Dulquer Salmaan, Durga Krishna win big". Cinema Express. 19 October 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
- ^ "Mazhavil Music's Lifetime Achievement award presented to Sreekumaran Thampi". OnManorama. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ "IIFA Awards: 'Jailer', 'Dasara', '2018: Everyone is a Hero', 'Kaatera' win 'Best Picture'". Onmanorama. Retrieved 25 October 2024.