High on different beats 25 Oct 2008, 0000 hrs IST, Rukmini Pande, TNN Print <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-3637518,prtpage-1.c\ ms> Email Discuss Share Save Comment <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/India_Buzz/High_on_dif\ ferent_beats/articleshow/3637518.cms#write> Text:
AR Rahman is rather excited these days. What's got the master composer enthused, is not just the fact that he's making waves with the [AR Rehman] AR Rehman (TOI Photo) More Pics <http://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3494782.cms> soundtrack of Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire, but that he's on a hunt for new talent, new bands to be precise. So what does he think he'll find? "I'm very excited and looking forward to discovering new talent from all over India. I'm looking for all kinds of different music, but not something that is simply aping the West. I would like to see a traditional form of music redone in an original and exciting way. The show will be traveling all over India, and encouraging bands from all genres to participate." There has been a lot of talk about the "parallel" music movement in India (including regional rock and jazz bands) but it really hasn't caught on in the mainstream industry. How does he hope to change that? "I think we are underestimating both the audience and the talent that lies undiscovered," Rahman maintains. "There are different mediums of getting your music across to an audience now, including the internet. All this has changed the way we think about music and music promotion." But doesn't he think that talent shows put too much pressure on young people and so stifle creativity? "Well I'm not looking at this show as a competition, but rather as a process of discovery. However, I do feel that music reality shows are always good to watch because in the end they are a celebration of the joy of music. I'd rather watch that than all the depressing coverage of various disasters that usually dominates television," says Rahman. Collaboration with foreign artists is nothing new to Rahman of course, but recently there has been an exciting buzz about rapper Akon, also entering into a partnership with him. Rahman confirms that there have been "some feelers from his side," but also says that, "nothing has been formalised." And is it true that it's Bhangra that Akon is looking at. Again Rahman eludes the question, "While Bhangra, due to its immense popularity here and abroad, is always something that will interest foreign artists, there are other genres of music which can be considered as well. As I said, nothing has been finalized." What about the music he's made for Yuvraaj? "It's a very important soundtrack for me, as I've tried to create a very different sound. I don't think this could have been done ten years ago. The visuals used are also quite different from anything that's been done before," he reveals. Speaking of new movements in music, what did he think of Rock On!!? "While I haven't seen the movie, I think its been great for the overall music scene in the country. It signals an awakening of audiences to new possibilities," says Rahman. Didn't he start off his career with a couple of bands? Rahman admits that, "I could never have achieved success as a member of a band back then." But adds, "The audience has definitely become more receptive and I feel that they would much rather listen to a live performance than a pirated MP3". Music seems to mean something almost spiritual to him, does he feel that in this time of uncertainty it has a special role to play? Rahman turns reflective, saying, "I feel that the media sometimes over-hypes violence and hate and so propagates a negative atmosphere. But music definitely is a very powerful tool to build and spread compassion among people. It doesn't have to be in an over fashion. Music can carry very subtle messages and communicate messages of peace in a variety of ways." Finally where does AR Rahman go for inspiration? How does he try to get himself into that creative rhythm? He laughs "Well I get bored very fast, which I think is a very good quality as I avoid being repetitive in my music. I often discard a track if I feel that I'm really not accomplishing anything new. I accept films that challenge me and demand something different. I'm usually a complete blank when I sit down for a project and that's when I'm hit by new ideas." Let's hope the maestro continues to find his inspiration and also find us Indian music's next big sound! http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/India_Buzz/High_on_diff\ erent_beats/articleshow/3637518.cms <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/India_Buzz/High_on_dif\ ferent_beats/articleshow/3637518.cms> -- regards.. Krish.. " Yuvv ARR Raaj ! "
