Here it is...

`I can eat chillies, Rahman cannot'

Sivamani cites, while explaining musical similarity between A R Rahman and
himself

Jayeeta Mazumder [email protected]


When did you get your first drum set?

I got my first drum set in Singapore in 1979. I was 19 at that time. I
thought I was flying; the feeling of happiness was so great that I still
can't think of the right words to express it. It was total joy! Other than
drums, you also play the kanjira and damru... even a plastic bottle.

What constitutes your unusual instruments?

Sound is everywhere. It's in a thali, water cans, everything around us-- be
it natural or manmade. You can create music out of many different things. I
always wanted to be different. I may pick up music from the sound of a
dishwasher, chirping birds, the sea waves, or the trotting of a horse. I
record them in my mind and later experiment with them in my music. I think I
was first attracted to music when I was three years old. It was just in me,
I guess.
And as I grew up, I studied and read about it and that's how I became a
drummer. I love music more than my life!

What is it like to work with A R Rahman?

It was just fun working with AR Rahman. We used to enjoy creating music
that's unexplored and experiment with instruments.
I admire him for his skill as a music connoisseur and composer. Yes, Rahman
is a born genius.

Is learning classical music important to get to the next level?

Yes, it is necessary and important.
Classical music has a secret. It opens the channels to obtain spiritual
energy. The lives of the musicians add to the intrigue.

There's always been this notion that drummers in a band are underplayed.
Would you agree?

No, drummers were never underplayed. You have to feel the music when you are
in the band and follow the rhythm according to it. Each drummer has his/her
own identity. I can say Zakir bhai is the messenger of rhythm.

Beat boxing is slowly gaining grounds in India. Can it ever replace the
magic that a real drum creates?

Lots of new things come. Some phase out, some stay. Drums have always been
the carriers of rhythm.

Any composer you'd really love to work with?

Yeah, I would really like to work with Sting. In India, I have worked with
everybody.

Who are your inspirations?


My father S M Anandan, Trilok Gurtu, Noel Grant and Billy Cobham.

Are you working on any album now?


I am considering it. Hopefully, it will be out in 2010.

Zakir Hussain, Shankar Mahadevan and you, come together in a unique concert.
Will there be a jugalbandi?

Jugalbandis are something that we love. We have done it earlier as well.
Yes, we will be doing it this year too.


How did the name, Heartbeats, come about?


You see, the first beat that man hears is the heartbeat. Hence, the name
Heartbeats. And of course, the whole group plays from the heart. QWould you
say you and Rahman are similar in the many ways you create music out of
almost anything? AEvery man has his own genes, his own talent, his own
understanding and creativity. Likewise Rahman cannot be Siva and Siva cannot
be Rahman. Zakir bhai is Zakir bhai. For instance, I can eat green chillies but
A R Rahman cannot. Music is everywhere but the soul is different.

On Sun, Dec 13, 2009 at 1:14 PM, A.R.Rajib <[email protected]> wrote:

>
>
> Link Not working ... Any working link Please ..
>
>
> --- On *Sun, 12/13/09, Gopal Srinivasan <[email protected]>* wrote:
>
>
> From: Gopal Srinivasan <[email protected]>
> Subject: [arr] "I can eat green chillies, Rahman cannot"
> To: "arrahmanfans" <[email protected]>
> Date: Sunday, December 13, 2009, 7:00 AM
>
> http://epaper. hindustantimes. com/ArticleImage .aspx?article= 13_12_2009_
> 545_004&mode= 
> 1<http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleImage.aspx?article=13_12_2009_545_004&mode=1>
>
>
> <http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleImage.aspx?article=13_12_2009_545_004&mode=1>-
> Regards
>
> ~ ~ A.R.Rajib ~ ~
>
>   
>



-- 
Cheers,
Madhavan.R
Be a Music Fan; not a Music Pirate!

Reply via email to