It was expected that A R Rahman would win the Oscar. A genius and a
kind-hearted gentleman with a spiritual bent of mind, Rahman winning the
award is no surprise at all for me,’’ says K Kalyan, music director and
lyricist.
“I can never forget the entire day I spent with him for his album on the
Taj Mahal about two years ago. For this album, he’d asked me write lyrics on
the Taj in Kannada. I wrote them and met him in his studios in Chennai. He’s
a simple man, and asked the meaning of some Kannada words. He was in his own
musical world. He sang my lyrics for the album.’’
Rehman was very hospitable. “We had lemon tea together several times.
Nobody can guess what he has in his mind about some lyrics or music. Once it
comes out, it is a hit. That is his calibre.’’
Kalyan has a rare gift from Rahman. “When his office in Chennai asked
about my remuneration for the lyrics, I refused to accept any money as a
mark of respect to the genius. One fine day, I got a cheque signed by Sasira
Rahman for the lyric. I was stunned. I’ve kept a photostat copy of it.
That’s a treasure I’ll always cherish.’’
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOI&BaseHref=TOIBG/2009/02/24&PageLabel=2&EntityId=Ar00203&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T
Regards,
Anantha the Dreamer
http://arrtheboss.blogspot.com
Laurence J. Peter - "If two wrongs don't make a right, try three."
