I've tried to translate it as accurately as possible..please excuse any errors.
-- Some of India's most popular musicians like Hariharan, Sivamani, Shreya Goshal, Javed Akhtar..etc, can be seen moving around casually in A.R Rahman's waiting room. Sporting gold highlights in his hair, he answers each question with a smile. "Recently I did a music show in Karaikal for the people who were affected by the Tsunami. We went there and suprised them with this show to cheer them up. I have received alot of applause for my shows in many places but receiving it from people who have lost their family and belongings evoked a different sort of feeling. I respect their applause more than the padmashree award. They welcomed us well inspite of facing so much difficulties Next, preparations are going on for a music show in London. Right now with the London bombings, don't know what is going to happen but everything should go on well!." >From Kodambakam to Hollywood..have you forgotten Tamil cinema? "Not at all! I've just sung a song in S.J Surya's movie..'Ararai kodi thamizharil oruvan. adiyen thamizhan ungal nanban'..that's the truth, even if I want to I cannot forget Tamil. How can anybody forget their birthplace? I'm not able to compose for Tamil as much as before.Even my mother is bothered about that..she asks why I am composing music for the rest of the world and not in Tamil. When I go to the north, I am a Tamilian. When I'm in China, I'm an Indian. In America, I am an Asian musician. This has created a good opportunity for Tamil music to go global. While doing so, some loss is unavoidable. But even in this situation I've done S.J Surya's 'Ah aah', 'Godfather' and 'Jillnu Oru Katdhal' in Tamil. All by God's grace." Why do all music directors have strong faith in religion? "There is only a thread size difference between self confidence and arrogance. I have faith in my talent. I feel it was given to me by God. There is a story in Sufism. When a cup is already full, you cannot add anything else into it. With God's help, you will have to try and empty the cup. Once you start thinking that 'I am doing everything' then you will not be able to do anything new. There should be only two things in your mind. Once is God and another is ego. Both are like light and darkness. They cannot exist together." Which music director has influenced you? "If there is only one music director who has infulenced you then your music will sound like a copy of his. If you take the good points from different people and use them with your own talents then you can create something new. I like all good music." Have you heard Illayaraja's Thiruvasagam? "It is very good! Raja sir called all the music directors from the generation after his and played it for us. It was an unforgetable program. In our country, music has become linked to cinema. I see 'thiruvasagam' as something that could break that trend. While everyone was praising the album, Raja sir who was sitting next to me laughed and said if they would let him, he'd try to improvise on it even now. That is the beauty of an artiste. He didn't think 'I have done everything'. Folk songs are in his blood. He worked hard and always wanted to learn carnatic and western music. His achievment is that he has composed both western and folk songs for Tamil cinema. There was a time when there was no connection between music and morals. I have seen people who beleived that music could be created only if one had bad habits. It was Raja sir who broke that believe. He's the only one who is fit to do music like 'thiruvasagam'. This is the Illayaraja I know." After Vande Mataram, you have not come up with anything else like that? "I have a few plans. Something along the lines of our culture and traditions. I will talk about it when they are confirmed." What do you think about Tamil music these days, which music directors compose well? "I don't have the time to listen to much music. When I'm in my car, I listen to FM. Yuvan is good, I like Vidyasagar's work." Alot of people are upset with the Shankar-Rahman breakup. Have you heard the songs from Anniyan? "I did not do Anniyan because I didn't have the time. Breakup is a big word. I heard Anniyan. Harris Jayaraj has done a good job." Do you have time for your family? "Definitely! Usually I like to read in my free time. After marriage, I spend it with my wife and children. I am not able to spend as much time with my kids as my parents spent with me. They come to the studio..after saying hi to them I go back to my work. I take them to Landmark and buy them toys and books. Sometimes I take them to a hotel. I also take photos with them occasionally as proof that I spent time with them so that they can't say that I didn't do anything for them when they grow up. My house is my favorite place. Having travelled all over the world, when I am on my wayhome from the chennai airport, I feel overjoyed like a school kid going home. Like a bird who returns to it's nest after searching for food." What inspiring words do you tell yourself everyday? "I was born again today!" --- In [email protected], Gopal Srinivasan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Someone please translate or give us the highlights at least: > > http://www.vikatan.com/av/2005/aug/07082005/av0505.asp > > "We neglect our cities at our peril. For, in neglecting them, we neglect the nation." > -John F. Kennedy ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> <font face=arial size=-1><a href="http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=12hvandgi/M=362335.6886442.7839733.3022183/D=grplch/S=1705331874:TM/Y=YAHOO/EXP=1122970165/A=2894366/R=0/SIG=138c78jl6/*http://www.networkforgood.org/topics/arts_culture/?source=YAHOO&cmpgn=GRP&RTP=http://groups.yahoo.com/";>What would our lives be like without music, dance, and theater? Donate or volunteer in the arts today at Network for Good</a>.</font> --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> 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 <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/arrahmanfans/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
