Rahman 'Dil Se' 11 May 2009, 0000 hrs IST, SARAH SALVADORE , TNN
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Nothing’s changed about the man. If anything, Allah Rakha Rahman is still
the shy and humble person he was before Slumdog Millionaire happened. [image:
A R Rahman]<javascript:openslideshownew('/slideshow/4506166.cms?imw=460','541')>
<javascript:openslideshownew('/slideshow/4506166.cms?imw=460','541')>
A R Rahman
The only difference is that with two Oscars and a BAFTA and Golden Globe
each, the security cover around him has thickened. And rightfully so. If the
crowd reaction in Hyderabad on Saturday night was anything to go by, Rahman
needs a barrage of bodyguards. In town to be part of a ceremony to honour
him for his achievements on the world stage, Rahman was a picture of calm
and dignity.
India’s very own Pied Piper who enjoys demi-god like adulation from zillions
of
music<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bollywood/Rahman-Dil-Se/articleshow/4506154.cms#>buffs
across the country and who was instrumental in showing the world that
music is not about language seemed overwhelmed with the love and respect
shown to him. “I’ve not come here for any gold crown, but for the gold mine
(Padmabhushan Dr P Susheela) sitting here right next to me,” said Rahman.
"After I came back from the Oscars, Susheela Amma called and told me that
she wanted to organise a ceremony for me. I did not question her about
anything. I just told her, ‘you can do any ceremony. Just let me know when
to come.’ That’s how much I adore her.”
And just like the Oscars, Rahman was accompanied by his mother, Kareema
Begum and sister Rehana. “When my father passed away, my mother took care of
the family. I dropped out of school at the age of 11 and began working to
help my mother out,” said the composer whose famous one-liner (‘Mere paas
maa hai’) at the Oscars wowed and won many hearts. While speaking on work,
Rahman does not forget to mention people from the Telugu film
industry<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bollywood/Rahman-Dil-Se/articleshow/4506154.cms#>who
helped him during the initial stages of his career. “Mom was working
very hard for her three children. We were going through a major financial
crisis. That’s when Telugu music
director<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bollywood/Rahman-Dil-Se/articleshow/4506154.cms#>Ramesh
Naidu took me under his wings and I worked for him for a year. Later,
I worked for six years for composer Koti too. So you see, I have a strong
connect with the people of Andhra Pradesh who’ve always loved my music,”
confesses the composer.
For the man who features in the Time magazine’s list of 100 most influential
people, Rahman never forgets to mention his influence — his religious gurus.
“It’s because of my guruji that I’m here today. In fact, after this
ceremony, I’ll be heading to Kadapa to pay my respect to guruji,” quipped
Rahman who visited the Ameen Peer Dargah after his return from the Oscars.
Rahman, the man who wanted to be “left alone” after the Oscar win, is now
planning to “release music” on his own label, but has no idea when he’ll be
able to do it, because things seem a “little busy right now.” Also coming up
in 2009 are movie soundtracks, including the soundtrack to a film called The
19th Step and some “interesting collaborations” (reportedly Mick
Jagger<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bollywood/Rahman-Dil-Se/articleshow/4506154.cms#>and
Joss Stone have joined hands with Rahman for a song slated to be
released on United Nation’s International Day of Peace on September 21).
Rahman who’s known to work on a film
soundtrack<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bollywood/Rahman-Dil-Se/articleshow/4506154.cms#>for
two years, prefers to rotate projects to ensure he doesn’t “work too
hard” and claims that he’s still got much to “learn and achieve”. For the
Mozart of Madras, as he’s often labelled, whose
albums<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bollywood/Rahman-Dil-Se/articleshow/4506154.cms#>have
sold over 200 million copies (and still counting) modesty remains his
middlename.
“Ten years ago Subbarami Reddy offered me a house in Banjara Hills in case I
decided to move to Hyderabad. That’s how much people here love me,” said
Rahman before being whisked off by his guards. If he accepts the offer, it
will definitely delight thousands of his fans here in Hyderabad.
[email protected]
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bollywood/Rahman-Dil-Se/articleshow/4506154.cms
--
regards,
Vithur
