sounds bogus. Regards Karthik
--- In [email protected], Gopal Srinivasan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Taj not a monument of marble, but of love > Monday, May 28, 2007 10:15:47 IST > http://www.cybernoon.com/DisplayArticle.asp? section=fromthepress&subsection=inbombay&xfile=May2007_inbombay_standa rd13061 > Rahman launches newly composed track, ¡United for the Taj¢ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --Select-- > News > Sports > Diary > Editorials > In Mumbai > Opinions > Special Report > Lakme Fashion Week > The Uppercrust Show > Special Section > Books > Film Review > Business > 22nd Anniversary > Melody Saloon > Afternoon Buffet > Health Check > Business Extra > Woman's Extra > Bombay First > Show Buzz > Celebrity Interviews > Art Attack > Guest Column > Stray Thoughts > A Mother > Round and About > Books > Eating Out > Politics > Internet Humour > Tarotscope > Asit Chandmal > Dr.Shirin Wadia > Mehraboon Irani > > > > > > > > > > > for : > > > > > > > > A > man of few words, A.R. Rahman has always preferred his music to do the > talking. And how! From being touted as the most exciting composer in > India, he is now on the verge of receiving international acclaim, with > no less than sir Andrew Lloyd Webber rooting for him. > Humming Bird caught up with Rahman in Mumbai. > > What did you feel when you were asked to make a track to promote the Taj for the new seven wonders? > I > was in London when the IMCL approached me, and I was very excited about > composing the anthem. It was at very short notice. But my crew and I > grabbed the idea and made special time to work on the anthem. > > What is your opinion about the Taj and the seven wonders? > (Laughs) > Well, a few months back, a very close friend who is a Sri Lankan Tamil > arrived from the UK to get married in India along with another > foreigner. However, when I asked her where she is planning to get > married, she just said 'Taj Mahal'. That's what took me closer to the > Taj. One can imagine the way the Taj has been seen, as the monument of > love. > > This is the first time that you have co-written the lyrics with Raqueeb for the song. How did that happen? > Due to the short notice, I could not arrange for the lyricists. Later I thought it would be better to > deal with the lyrics myself. It was a great experience and the lyrics communicate my feelings about the Taj. > > How would you be personally promoting the Taj to make it to the new seven wonders? > I > am going to the US this week and I will be performing this song at all > the nine shows that are planned there. There is also a performance in > New Delhi soon, where I will make sure I perform this song. > > When we talk about film music, we talk > chiefly about how the masses appreciate it. Now, do you think your > music will be more critically examined, simply because it will be heard > by a different strata of society? > I always live with a song, > sometimes for a week, sometimes for six months, to try and fix whatever > is wrong with it. Because, if I don't like something, people will not > like it either. I've gone by that rule and so far, it's been working. > God was kind. That's how I did this also. I'm not going to try > something I don't know about. I assume they will like it. > > You are taking a sabbatical from Hindi and regional films, aren't you? > I've > done my homework on the films that are yet to be released. So there's > not going to be a vacuum. It's not like you are not going to hear A.R. > Rahman's music for one year. I've completed Lagaan, Zubeida, , alai > ptyuthey, Rhythm. > > And you are not accepting any other offers right now? > Not yet. I'm just holding them, so that I get some space. > > There's this allegation that you are a composer who has mastered the gadgets -- how do you react to this? > (Laughs) > I think it's just an extra attribute or whatever. But it's not the only > thing. Because without tunes, without happening tunes, it will not > work. Only if you have a happening tune, everything else can support > it. Knowing the computer actually helps to perfect things. If somebody > has gone off-key but delivered a good line with the right feel, you > don't have to sacrifice the take. You can just cut it at the pitch and > use it. > This is how I have learnt to make things easier, to get the best out of an artiste. > > Some people have accused you of being repetitive... > I > don't think they will say that now, because I have been into too many > wild things. Hopefully, they won't say it again in future. > > But, was there a phase when you felt you were being repetitive? > Well, > yes. Following the success of Kadalan (or Hum Se Muqabla in Hindi), a > kind of dance culture developed. Suddenly, there were proposals with > Prabhu Deva and me together. I was forced to do only dance music. But > then I got out of it and accepted films that demanded melody. Sometimes > you kind of get into it... without realising. > > You have always come up with exceptional scores for Mani Ratnam. Do you personally think that you've given your best for him? > The > main thing is the concept that the director has. He (Mani Ratnam) has > always given me things that I have not done before. He has been an > important person in my career. He never says 'I want a song like this > or that', he always has a fresh idea. That's the reason why different > scores come up for his films. > > Finally, what would you suggest to people about making the Taj into the new seven wonders? > The > Taj Mahal is the real monument of love. It's not just a monument of > marbles. What's gone into making it is remarkable. It's no longer the > Taj of Mumtaz or Shah Jahan. It's ours. To all those who have loved or > intend to love, I would request them to vote for the great symbol of > love. Our pride is at stake >
