A new hairdo, laurels in the US and the recent stint with international cinema and theatre has not changed A.R. Rahman, the man synonymous with great music. Here he speaks about films, his children and his inclination towards spirituality.
ANUPAMA SUBRAMANIAN
T his is not my new hairstyle. My hair have grown only so much after I went bald pate recently for the Haj pil grimage, laughs music maestro A.R. Rahman to a media persons comment on his hairstyle at his A.B. Studio in Chennai. Nicknamed the Mozart of Madras, by Time magazine, Rahman is known for redefining contemporary Indian music. Speaking about his forthcoming album, the only one to be released after the superhit Vande Mataram, Rahman says, The album Pray for me, Brother, is an anthem for fighting poverty. It is a part of the United Nations TB Millennium campaign sponsored by Nokia and released through KM Music, with whom I have tied up. Rahman is also producing a new religious album on the poems of Kunnakudi Mastan Saheb. It has a Tamil touch with a Carnatic base. I am working with my guru Dakshinamoorthy Sir, and the album will be released in another
three to four months, he says.
Rahmans not just reached new realms in film music, but has even been lauded for his compositions in musicals like Bombay Dreams and Lord of the Rings. He adds that Western and Broadway musicals are respected more than mainstream cinema abroad. A lot of actors from Hollywood and London love to participate in a play even if its a small role. They consider it a matter of pride to be a part of such ventures. In India, theatre doesnt enjoy such a stature. In a country as big as India, with so much of cultural heritage, we need to do something about making theatre more powerful and professional. So, for me turning to theatre was an important step, he adds.
While theatre has drawn his attention recently, Rahman is still making waves with international films. Narrating his experience of scoring music for a Chinese film, Rahman said, It was a great opportunity to work with a classical orchestra and composing something fresh and different. It was a breezy break from the routine stuff which I was doing all along. I had fun. Deviating to the topic of his films, Rahman says that very often, a bad script may end up being made into a good film. Which is probably why script narration is not the only deciding factor for Rahman while accepting a film offer. He says, The film has to take me to a different direction. I do not want to repeat the same work, because people tend to get bored. A good script narration could always go weary while being made into a film. On the other hand, bad scripts may make good films too. He believes that the style of filmmaking needs to change for a movies music to have a better and longer impact.
The audiences do not want to sit on the entire melody. Thats the equation which is believed. It was broken with Rang De Basanti, when people praised even the slowest song which comes just before the interval of the film. The clichés surrounding the use of music in films have to change and I think that has started happening. Soulful songs can also be used in a different way rather than a hero or the heroine lipsyncing them, he adds.
Rahman, who has plans of composing a symphony, recently had a great time in the US and was even honoured at the Global Rhythm All Stars function. It was a great experience. I did a stage show called Wake Up! A.R. Rahman with 150 All Stars live for a foundation. I gave guest lectures on Indian films, music, drama and culture. The proceeds were donated for the cause of creating opportunities for students who want to gain greater understanding of Indian culture and the arts, he says.
The maestro is known to have inherited his supremely talented genes from his father. Speaking about his children, Rahman says, My daughters Kathija and Raima are slowly learning music. Though plans are there to introduce their voices in films, they still have a long way to go. My son Rhumi, however, is a computer wizard. On the personal front, Rahman is an immensely spiritual person, quite unusual of someone of his age and profession. He says, I think it is a gift. It makes me feel good. You need to be a good human being. For that, I feel you need to believe in the Almighty. Its complementary. So, do music and spiritualism resemble each other? Absolutely, comes the reply from Rahman, who adds, Both give me peace of mind. Like a prayer takes you to a divine state, so does music.
Deccan Chronicle
Explore, Experience, Enjoy A.R.Rahman - The Man, The Music, The Magic.
Only at arrahmanfans.com - The definitive A.R.Rahman e-community.
Homepage: http://www.arrahmanfans.com
Admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
SPONSORED LINKS
| New music artists | New country music artists | Christian music artists |
| Country music artists | Unsigned music artist |
YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
- Visit your group "arrahmanfans" on the web.
- To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
- Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
