Singer Chitra ( FM RAINBOW )
" My salutations to everyone. I am playback singer Chitra talking here. I am happy to talk about A.R.Rahman Sir in a special program like today. I have sung in a lot of films of his right from Roja to Jodha Akbar. I have sung a few very very important songs, and a lot of famous songs for him. All the songs which he has given me have been very melodious. I have seen him before he became a Music Director, during the times, when he used to play keyboard for Raja Sir. He is a person with most humility. He doesn't talk much. He and his work alone left together is his attitude always. One thing, which I like in him the most is that " There are a lot of cassettes, CDs which get released of different movies. I haven't seen many people being credited in the Inlay Cards of the CD or the cassettes. *It is only RAHMAN sir's CDs and cassettes, which give credit to all the musicians who have been part of the effort.* Now, many people may be following the same. *But it was he who first and foremost started this, and this depicts his broad mindedness and magnanimous nature. *You give equal importance to the musicians, as you have been giving till date. This is a very important quality that I like in you. *You have never commented about anyone*. Pls keep it up. This is a very great quality of yours. You must do more and more movies. I also pray God for your welfare. I have a desire to ask certain questions to him. I have certain doubts like anyone else here. Q :- In all your new films, you introduce some new singers. You give the songs in such a way, that it is very apt for the singer to sing. How do you select such songs ? How do you find such new talents and from where ? To tell the truth, it was after you introduced that a lot many singers from Bombay have started singing here, and have gained so much of name and fame. They weren't recognized there before, and after they have sung for you, their names have become very popular now, and are recognized even there nowadays. This is something which everyone must be proud of. My first and foremost Congratulations for you for the same. How do you do your selection in a perfect manner ?. *ARR :-* This sort of praise which I am getting from you is a great one. You are an established singer yourself. You don't have any trace of jealousy or competition in you, and you are saying so proves that your base and foundation is extraordinary, and you don't feel insecured. So, thank you for the question Chitraji. First and Foremost, there was a pressure that the song would remain, if sung by so and so singer. That pressure was in a way good, and in a way bad. If for some songs, if it doesn't match, it doesn't mean that a popular singer needs to sing it. That would create a bad feeling for them too. A Particular song should be sung by a particular singer. Slowly, the pressure started decreasing, when I started coming into the arena. Maniratnam expected a lot of new things. Even I didn't have that belief which used to exist before. Once upon a time, music was very simple. I didn't have any set rules that so and so caste, religion based singers must sing. So and so's son or daughter must sing etc. *I wanted anyone going in the road also to sing.* Everyone has the right. If they have the talent, they have the right to sing. So, this has been my motive. I didn't want the tag to be created as a North Indian / South Indian Singer etc. If they had the talent to sing, they must be given the opportunity. Sometimes, it has worked out well, and sometimes not. Like as you said, Sadhana Sargam or any other singers ….. .*I feel that its not me who is giving them a chance or an opportunity, but its because of them that my song got improvised and became nice. * Thank you for your question. P.S. After hearing and typing about all these transcripts, I sometimes really wonder, as to how a person like ARR is born and living in this Kali Yuga, where there are hatred, jealousy everywhere. Hats off to the Real Musician ARR. He motivates us by all means. -- regards, Vithur
