"Gopal Srinivasan of the A.R.Rahman Fan Club is one of an ecstatic world-wide
band of brothers and sisters. A group of hardcore fans watched the Oscar awards
live at Bangalore together. To celebrate, they went to a local orphanage, wrote
out a cheque for the kids and sponsored a meal.
A larger celebration is being planned, with the idol himself. “We know it is
going to be hectic immediately after the awards. We will wait until things cool
down,” Gopal says. To the team of diehard fans, the Oscars come as recognition
for the fantastic body of work Rahman has produced, instead of applause for
just one song or one movie. "
http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/24/stories/2009022460281200.htm
CHENNAI: For a moment on Monday morning, things stood still in India. The
silence was deeper in Chennai during the seconds it took for the announcement
to be read out:
A.R.Rahman. As Chennai’s own genius walked the polished floor at Kodak Theatre
to get his own little statuette, it is possible the southern city cheered the
loudest.
The encomium kept pouring in ever since. Many feted not only his talent for
music but also his humility and simplicity.
S. P. Balasubramaniam, whose rendering of Rahman’s ‘Thanga Thamarai Magale’ in
Minsara Kanavu won him a National Award says: “Rahman is a great composer and a
greater human being. I think seniors and juniors have a lot to learn from him,
from his humility. Even after the Oscars, he will be the same. He is a genius!”
For yesteryear composer M.S.Viswanathan who has sung one number for him,
“Rahman is not only exceptionally talented but also a very good person.”
“Special victory”
Kamal Hassan called it a special victory and joked that they had given him two
Oscars, so it would be easier for him to balance the statuettes.
Rahman’s favourite playback singer P. Suseela reciprocates the admiration he
has for her. “Honouring the great musician, who is an Indian, on such a global
platform is rather special. Like a double century, he has bagged two awards.”
Pitching in with the patriotic angle, cinematographer P.C .Sreeram says: “Every
Indian has to be proud of Rahman and his team.” He feels there is a bond
between sound and light that can’t be explained in words. “Certain songs make
you react in a particular way. Yes, I think some of my best expressions in
light have come with his music.”
And then there was Tamil pride to the fore as well, with actor Prabhu and
lyricist
Vairamuthu congratulating him on speaking in Tamil at the Awards ceremony—“Ella
Pughazhum Iraivanukke.” Vairamuthu says: “I am doubly happy that a Tamilian has
won India such an honour. I had written ‘Ennai inda boomi sutri vasa aasai… (I
want the world to go around me)’ in the Roja song ‘Chinna china aasai.’ Now, I
am elated that the world has begun going around him now!”
Rahman’s sound engineer S. Sivakumar says the composer would lose track of time
while at work. Senthil Kumar, director, Real Image, points out, “Rahman
pioneered the use of synthesisers, sequences and multi-tracks. He is one of the
best keyboard players.”
Actor Suriya, whose on-screen romancing has often been embellished by music
from Rahman, reveals how it also played a role in his off-screen romance with
Jyothika.
“Apparently he had stopped singing love songs, but we were surprised when
Rahman sir volunteered to sing the stirring ‘New York Nagaram’ from Sillunu Oru
Kadhal. Since it was just before our wedding, it was like a great wedding gift
for us,” Suriya says.
Actor Madhavan’s career-launching film, Alaipayuthe sizzled the screens and not
in any small measure due to Rahman’s score. He has since gone on to do five
more movies with Rahman. Maddy says, “I think we missed giving him one more
Oscar—to the nicest person in the industry.”
Gopal Srinivasan of the A.R.Rahman Fan Club is one of an ecstatic world-wide
band of brothers and sisters. A group of hardcore fans watched the Oscar awards
live at Bangalore together. To celebrate, they went to a local orphanage, wrote
out a cheque for the kids and sponsored a meal.
A larger celebration is being planned, with the idol himself. “We know it is
going to be hectic immediately after the awards. We will wait until things cool
down,” Gopal says. To the team of diehard fans, the Oscars come as recognition
for the fantastic body of work Rahman has produced, instead of applause for
just one song or one movie.
Rapper Blaaze who worked on Slumdog Millionaire, was mentioned by Rahman in his
speech at Kodak Theatre. He says he is rendered speechless by Rahman’s
kindness. “His message after the ‘Jai Ho’ song when he said, ‘All my life I had
choices, love and hate, I chose love—and here I am…’ is the message for the
world right now. It is a historic moment for over a billion hearts…”
Tanvi Shah, who was among those who sang the award-clincher ‘Jai Ho,’ spoke
excitedly from the United States where she flew to get a taste of the Oscar
magic. “I’m just really happy and thrilled that we won for the best score and
best song. For me, it will be a really special day for the rest of my life,”
she gushes. “I am glad that I was part of this big project, and I think hard
work and patience pays off at some point. ARR deserves every bit of the
glory.... all I can say is JAI HO!”
Praveen Mani, a music director in his own right, worked with A.R. Rahman as an
arranger/programmer in his team on Slumdog Millionaire.
“As a close friend, I truly admire his dedication to music, his humility as a
human being, and he surely deserves way more than this for his awesome talent.
Hats off to the music whiz kid from Madras! You simply rock!” That sums it up
for Chennai.
