ARR Interview in Daily Thanthi * *
*OSCARS IS NEARBY* Q :- Did you ever think that you will win The Golden Globe Awards for the movie " Slumdog Millionaire" ? AR :- I didn't expect it. When I composed music for that movie, I didn't think about anything else. Director Danny Boyle is a very popular director in Europe. He likes me. He liked my music. I too liked him. That's why I agreed to do music for that movie. I know that the citizens of America have love towards me. I never expected that I would receive such an award from them. Q :- How did you feel, when you stood on the stage while receiving the awards ? AR :- When they were announcing the names of other award winners and their description, I was little nervous and uncomfortable. Once my name was announced and I went up the stage, all my fears vanished and felt very happy. Q :- Are you expecting the Oscars Award next ?. What would be the next milestone in your music career ? AR :- I never expect Awards while I do my work. I always wanted to do my work in a special manner. I am happy now that I have received this award. Q :- You aren't composing for Tamil movies like before. Why ? AR :- Usually, I compose music only for select directors. Now I am composing for movies directed by Shankar and Maniratnam. I have agreed to compose music for Gowtham Menon, for his next movie. I am not accepting all movies. I want to accept only important movies. Q :- What is the impression about Indian music in Hollywood ? AR :- Indian music is like a big ocean. There are many facets to it like classical, Bangra and Filmy music. They don't have complete knowledge about all this. But they admire Indian music . Q :- Amitabh Bachan has commented on the theme of Slumdog Millionaire ?? AR :- The story line is about how a poor boy manages to win an award and succeed. The theme is about how a struggling boy manages to gain victory. It's the story to highlight and bring out the self confidence in a person. That's why I agreed to do that movie. If it was anything else which was not good, I wouldn't have agreed to do the movie. Q :- How did you feel, when you kept your feet on the lands of Chennai, after winning the awards ? AR :- I landed in Chennai, after an exhaustive 30 hr long air travel. Outside the airport, my friends, relatives, fans, Folk Dancers with their troupe and Musical performance greeted me and I forgot my tiredness. I felt very happy. Q :- Do you have any plans of doing anything in the lines of your patriotic Album " Vandemataram" next ? AR :- I don't have any such immediate plans as of now. In Hindi, I have done " Jiya Se Jiya". That album means " A hug from the heart". It is for spreading love amongst the people. It has been directed by Kanika. Q :- Why have you been a Night bird, for composing music ? AR :- This question has been asked for so many times to me, and I have become tired of it. And because of the same, I have turned into a Day Bird nowadays. I am composing music during the day. I wake up at 5 Am, and I work till 8 Pm. I go to bed at 9 PM. Q :- Is the "Roja Rahman" the same within you as before ? AR :- Why !! Is there any change in me ?. With God's Grace, I am the same as before, and haven't changed at all. Q :- Can you share the experience of composing for the Hindi Movie " Ghajini" directed by A.R. Murugadoss ? AR :- Ghajini was a super hit movie in Tamil itself. Harris Jeyaraj had composed nicely for the film. When they wanted to do the movie in Hindi, they wanted me to do the music for the same. They asked me if I had seen the Tamil version of it . I didn't see the movie, as I thought I would be influenced by the same. I heard the story and started composing for it. I am happy that the film has become a big hit. Q :- Many people keep telling that you are a like a leader, whom do you consider would be your leader ? AR :- All Good people are like my leaders and forerunners. Q :- What are the other interests other than music ? Photography. I have recently bought a camera and have to start learning the same. Q :- When would the time come, when Indian Classical music would be heard by foreigners across the world ? The children have to be taught Classical music right from their school days. In the same manner, the Western type of Music also has to be taught from the school days. If such a thing is done, in future, foreigners and people abroad will start loving Indian Classical music for sure. Q :- Do you have any plans of taking Ancient Tamil Scriptures to the World through your music ? I have a desire of taking Thirukkural to the World Stage. The initial works for the same has been started. It would end in a year's time. -- regards, Vithur
