Music is about spreading peace: Rehman
Bangalore, July 16: Indian music wizard, A R Rehman, who is all set for the mega-musical production `Lord of the Rings' scheduled to open in London in 2006, said he was not afraid to perform at London despite the recent terrorist attack.
"I am not afraid...But that is what music is all about; it is about spreading peace; it gives a sense of serenity and reminds people that there are still civilized men living around," Rehman, who will be kicking off his world musical tour in UK at the end of July, told reporters here today.
Speaking about directing `Bombay Dreams', a hugely successful musical play in London and New York, he said "It was not just a challenge to do, but a fight to get a culture out there on the western stage."
"It convinced us that if we want we could it in style," Rehman, who would be performing in Bangalore during the Indian leg of the world tour, said.
On his innovative three-dimensional concert in Bangalore, he said "I try to give people something new because if you give the same thing they will complain. You have to shed some of your old favourites and give them some new favourites. People constantly want a breath of fresh air," Rehman said.
On his dream project of recording `flawed voices', he said "A voice sometimes might have that soulful charm about it, but it might not really have the right pitch. But with the strides taken by technology, this can be corrected and the charm retained."
His forthcoming film, `Mangal Pandey', has the rawness required and blends with the character portrayed, he said while citing an example.
Rehman, who struck a chord with thousands through his musical hits in films like "Roja" that had both a Tamil and Hindi version, said "the difference in performing in Hindi and Tamil films is the difference in sensibilities.
Sometimes both work, sometimes they don't. The Taal version in Tamil did not work. It depends on the director's wider vision."
Rehman, whose repertoire of films include those directed by various directors ranging from Mani Ratnam to Subhash Ghai, said: "When I work by myself,I keep my vision, but when I work for a director I look at things from his eyes, his vision."
"But I usually prefer performing solo," he said but was quick to dismiss assumption that he was a loner. "No, I am not a loner and you can't be one with three kids around," he said.
On eliciting the best out of the singers, he said "I do what Mani Ratnam did to me. He does not put a circle around and hold you; I do the same, I teach them and let them free and then sometimes even when there are flaws they sound good. Then there is a wild thing about the song that sounds good."
On his own singing prowess, he said "I basically see myself as a music composer not a singer and when I have to sing I rehearse for days before the show. I can't sing instantly," he said.
On the recent crop of singers, he said: "Today it is not just the voice texture that counts but the speed of picking up. Hence some singers like Sonu Nigam, Shaan are doing well because they pick up extremely well."
Asked about his ambition, he said "I don't have any. I just keep going." (Agencies)
http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7B65E43EDC%2DBA89%2D42BA%2DB11C%2DE5ECFE0570E1%7D&CATEGORYNAME=TAMIL+NADU
This August, Discover the Birth of Your Independence
and The Magic of A.R.Rahman's Music in
Mangal Pandey - The Rising
http://www.risingthefilm.com
http://www.mangalpandeythefilm.com
Music released: Jul 14, 2005 Movie releases: Aug 12, 2005
Explore, Experience, Enjoy A.R.Rahman - The Man, The Music, The Magic.
Only at arrahmanfans - The definitive A.R.Rahman e-community.
Homepage: http://www.arrahmanfans.com
Admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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.
