Humility personified A R Rahman tells Metrolife how sound excites him all
the way
He is a man of few words. And those words too are uttered after he weighs
them. No wonder A R Rahman is a man who lets his music do the talking.
Such humility from a man who is among the world's top 25 all-time top
selling recording artists and the most sought after Indian music composer in
the Hollywood circles.
Rahman was in the City, for a few hours, to launch the Yamaha Music Square.
"He's been recording through the night and has managed to steal a few hours
to sleep. He should be here soon," one of the organisers told the media and
the people who waited, rather overwaited for his arrival.
The man soon arrived, looking calm, composed and yes he wore his
trademark shy smile. Rahman fans and people who simply wanted to get a
picture clicked with him elbowed their way through pushing and almost
falling over the small man for a glimpse, an autograph or just a hand shake.
Sound has always fascinated Rahman. When asked whether it's the actor,
director or the script that inspires him to compose music, he says, "It's
the music that excites me."
A host of Rahman's albums that have been released have hit the bull's eye
and Ghajini is no exception. Kaise Mujhe, a romantic ballad and Behka from
the film are hits. Rahman has won the Golden Globe nomination for Best
Original Score for his music in British director Danny Boyle's uplifting
underdog tale Slumdog Millionaire.
What was the experience like? "Oh it was almost as if I were in a guerrilla
warfare because it was a whole new experience and my team and I had to
strive doubly hard. It was a new phenomenon, new sounds and a wonderful
experience," Rahman told Metrolife in an exclusive interview. Some of the
films for which Rahman composed the music may have flopped but the songs
remain all-time favourites.
"It's the right mix and composition that makes any good music. It must sound
right," says Rahman.
Rahman has signed up with Nokia to launch a new music album, entitled, Nokia
Connections for Nokia Xpress Music devices. The album is one of its kind,
with nine original compositions. "In today's strife ridden world everybody
wants peace and a song called Silent Invocation talks of peace," explains
Rahman and adds, "I was given a budget and a free hand in composing the
music. There are three tracks and I have used a bit of Punjabi and what is
called the Pongal beats in the jingle," he explains. What did he have in
mind when piecing together the beats, "bringing people together and
connecting, both in terms of music and people," he observes.
UNESCO has declared the Indian National Anthem (Rahman's version) as one
among the best in the world and he has worked on a wacky musical arrangement
for the anthem. "Well it's an honour for us and I think it's our duty to
present the anthem in the right way," says Rahman.
Would he be composing music for any new Hollywood/Bollywood film? "It's too
early to say," he signs off.
http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Jan52009/metromon20090104110609.asp
--
regards,
Vithur
