I think he is referring to Connections... On Fri, Feb 20, 2009 at 7:52 AM, Aravind AM <[email protected]> wrote:
> >> Rahman's album, which is based on the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks > oh wow! > what is this? out of the blue!!!!!!!! > > is this something new which we hav no clue about? or is he referring to > Connections? > > Aravind > > > http://arrahmaniac.blogspot.com > > Download Rahmania show interviews at http://rahmania.4shared.com > > > --- On *Thu, 19/2/09, Vithur <[email protected]>* wrote: > > From: Vithur <[email protected]> > Subject: [arr] "I have just finished working on Rahman's album, which is > based on the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks" - Raqeeb Alam > To: [email protected] > Date: Thursday, 19 February, 2009, 11:16 PM > > *International Success beckons Raqueeb Alam* > - *Soumita Sengupta* > Dev Patel, Freida Pinto in 'Slumdog Millionaire'As *Slumdog > Millionaire* enjoys its dream run across the world, one man from Bihar who > always harboured dreams of being a singer is pleasantly surprised. > > Raqueeb Alam's interests clearly lay in music from an early age. When his > father saw no signs of that changing, he packed his son off to Chennai to > study engineering. What the senior Alam may not have realised is Chennai is > home to the biggest name in Indian music today - A R Rahman. > > In a way, Raqueeb's fate has been as lucky as the movie's run at the box > office. The 'Ringa Ringa' writer and singer tells us about his experiences > with Rahman, his decision to turn lyricist and his forthcoming projects. > > *Tell us about your journey as a musician so far. * > I am originally from Bihar where I would spend my time loitering with my > friends and listening to music. We had local orchestras that I would > participate in. I'd reach home post 1 am daily, so I could not concentrate > on my studies. That's when my father sent me to Chennai to study > engineering. As my course was nearing completion, I met Rahman Sir and at > last my career took off; I became the singer I always wanted to be. > > *How did he offer you your first project?* > I am grateful to late P K Mishra for introducing me to Rahman. Mr Mishra > wrote lyrics for the film* Roja*, and introduced me to Rahman as a singer. > At that time, I would just sing a few lines for different songs. I had sung > a few lines for 'Columbu Columbus' for the movie *Jeans* as well. > > My first proper offer as a lyricist was for Deepa Mehta's film *Water*. > Rahman asked me if I could write. I told him I would try to do my best. In > that one night, I wrote ten mukhdas. Out of those, one song was for Holi. > Deepa Mehta selected that one and it was decided that I would sing it along > with Surjo Bhattacharya and Richa Sharma. The next day, we recorded 'Shyam > Rang Bhar Do'. > > *Tell us about the first song you recorded.* > I sang my first song for a film called Mr Romeo, with Sonu Niigaam. The > song was written by P K Mishra and was called 'Hum Ne Dekhi Hai Duniya…'. I > got the lyrics 10 days before the recording, so I practised day in and day > out. All my friends and neighbours would tease me about it. When the time > came to record, I was so nervous that I was shivering. But the recording > went so well that the song was okayed in one take…that's a very memorable > experience for me. > *You have always worked with Rahman. Don't you want to work with other > people too? > *Sure, I want to work with Pritam, Shanker-Ehsaan- Loy and many others. > But it took so long to get in touch with Rahman, that I'm happy I made it. > Of course, I'm willing to work with anyone who offers me a job. > > *How did you get an offer to sing on Slumdog Millionaire's soundtrack?* > I am honoured to be a part of the film. Rahman had called me from the UK to > say he would mail me the requirements. Later, I went to his office for a > video conference with him to discuss the song. The next morning, we called > Ila Arun*ji* and Alka*ji *to record. I did not think that the film would > be nominated at the Oscars, but I am sure Rahman will win an Oscar for us. > * > What was your brief like?* > Rahman told me the scenario: There is a boy called Jamaal who goes to a red > light area looking for a childhood girlfriend. I wrote one version that he > liked but he told me to try a different one as well. When I wrote the second > version, he said that I should go ahead with it. But I told him I was > writing a third version. He heard the last version once and loved it. > > *Did you anticipate Slumdog Millionaire's mammoth success?* > Frankly speaking, I did not expect it. I knew it would be a hit but I never > thought that it would be nominated for the Oscars. I am very happy for > Rahman; he deserves the award. > > *You are a lyricist as well as a singer. Which role do you prefer?* > In the past few years, a lot of competition has emerged with regards to > singing, so I prefer writing lyrics. Nowadays, singers just come and go. The > time when singers such as Rafi and Kishore were in the business for decades > and became legends is gone. Rahman sir also told me that I should make my > career as a lyricist. When it comes to being a lyricist, there are two > people I look up to – Gulzar*saab* and Javed Akhtar*ji*. > > *What are your future projects?* > I have just finished working on Rahman's album, which is based on the 26/11 > Mumbai terror attacks. I am also doing Rashid Ali's album and a movie that > will be directed by Rajeev Menon and star Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan. > http://www.planetra diocity.com/ musicreporter/ interview. php?interviewid= > 239&pgno=2<http://www.planetradiocity.com/musicreporter/interview.php?interviewid=239&pgno=2> > -- > regards, > Vithur > > > > > ------------------------------ > Add more friends to your messenger and enjoy! Invite them > now.<http://in.rd.yahoo.com/tagline_messenger_6/*http://messenger.yahoo.com/invite/> > > > -- regards, Vithur
