Why Rahman looks good for Oscar win The international media are now suddenly waking up to the man Time magazine many years back nicknamed the Mozart from Madras. And while not everyone outside of South Asia and maybe UK, may know of Rahman he's something the world is waking up to this morning after he won the Golden Globe. Rahman isn't a novice in the world of music. In terms of sales he is amongst the biggies. His music has sold over 200 million cassettes and CDs -- more than Madonna and Britney Spears combined. In terms of ratings, A R Rahman comes in the top 25 selling artists of all time according to Interscope Records. A few years ago he was lauded by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, who produced Bombay Dreams, for which Rahman did the music.
And today Rahman is on the front pages of the world's papers and seen as the strongest contender for this year's Oscar for music. He is already being placed as a favourite in two categories by various entertainment weeklies For Best Song for Jai Ho which he had Gulzar write and For Best Composition. Another fact that shows that things are going in favour of the 43-year-old Rahman are the numerous record deals coming his way. He is being now chased by leading production houses, directors and various record labels to come on board. The director has given some of the most popular Bollywood tracks Bombay, Roja, Taal to name a few but he has also managed to switch into his Western avatar and work in a completely different style. He has collaborated with controversial rapper M.I.A on the one hand and also mixed tunes with a Finnish folk group to give the music for the musical adaptation of Lord of the Rings. "I wanted to win this award for India I hope I win the Oscar. Indians are crazy about the Oscars," said A R Rahman soon after winning the Golden globe on Sunday night for his composition of Slumdog Millionaire. That one sentence is a true representative of the musical genius who is never known to take himself or his art more than being God's gift. Rahman may have become the first ever Indian to win the prestigious Golden Globe but the man will never claim the victory to be his alone. In fact he began sharing his hard work right from day one when he decided to dedicate the outstanding score to his sound engineer who died on December 1. I remember having interviewed British singer actress Karen David a couple of years back. Karen has worked extensively with Rahman and when asked to describe the musical genius, she called him a "soft giant." "Giant because he has oceans of talent in him The world hasn't seen even half of what he is capable of doing. Every minute with him is a learning experience. And soft because he has a heart of gold. He is warm, loving, generous, humble.. And all his honest emotions translate into his music and reach his listeners," said Karen. And it looks like all of this still holds true. Rahman does have oceans of talent. He is very soft anyone who has spoken to him will agree. And his listeners are still here. Only this time the audience isn't just Chennai, Mumbai, Bollywood or UK. It is the entire world. http://www.starboxoffice.com/oscars/newsdetails.aspx?xfile=2009/January/News_20090113_104
