Humility remains Rehman's theme song 16 Jan 2009, 0231 hrs IST, Bhama Devi Ravi, TNN Print Email Discuss Share Save Comment Text: CHENNAI: The nation may still be basking in the glory of the Golden Globe win for Slumdog Millionaire, but A R Rahman, the star of the team, went
back to work within hours of arriving in Chennai, in the early hours of Thursday. Currently working on half a dozen films including the Rajnikanth-starrer `Endhiran', Rahman took but a few minutes to share his joy and pride with his family which had rooted for him even since the nomination was announced. "Even before I listened to the tracks, something told me that `Slumdog Millionaire' would win awards. After I listened, I was very sure,'' said Raihanah, Rahman's sister, also a musician. As soon as Rahman returned home around 2.15 am, he sat with the family and chatted about the glorious moment at the awards. Rahman had, earlier in the day, told the press that he wanted the award because there was a slip from his mom saying `Get this for India.' "I was terrified that if I did not get it, so many people will be upset,'' he said. Eventually, he did pull it off. The intrinsically Indian, but obviously global track of Slumdog Millionaire is hugely popular all over the world. There is hop hop, rap, the distinct Spanish voices and the inimitable Indian folk in the score. "The music is astounding and his treatment unusual. But, that is Rahman for you,'' Raihanah said, adding that her brother had told her about how he blurred the distinction between the background score and the songs to make it more colourful. Raihanah, who listens to the tracks from Slumdog Millionaire in her car voted `Jai Ho' as her personal favourite. Singer and composer Srinivas is another person who is not surprised at the Slumdog track becoming an instant hit. "Look at the range of his work in the last few months from Jodha Akbar to Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. You will not find a wider bandwidth than that,'' Srinivas said. Srinivas, who like many of Rahman's singers, was in tears when Rahman walked up to collect the award, said the music fraternity is overawed by the constantly evolving musician. It is widely known that Rahman prefers to record at night, when the world sleeps, and magic happens for a few to behold. "On many occasions he has gone into his private space, prayed, and when he came back, you could actually feel the aura,'' added Srinivas, who has worked with him for 14 years. "Improvisation is a very modern trend, but Rahman allowed us to do that even in `Roja' (1992),'' said Naveen, the flautist who has known Rahman from the days when he was Dileep Kumar (his original name). "He would ask us to close our eyes and play the music. It gives a different dimension to your work," said Naveen, who has been a feature of the background theme in many of his films. The hauntingly melodious note of `theme Rahman' is his humility. "If he calls for recording half way through your meal, you can tell him that you are eating, and he will tell you to finish the meal. He puts you at ease all the time,'' said Naveen. Much like his music. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Humility_remains_Rehmans_theme_song/rssarticleshow/3985161.cms
