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The songs of Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na are distinctly different from what you’ve churned out recently. What’s the reason behind this? Well the idiom of the JTYJN is very different and that’s why I have also tried and used single notes of sounds and simple guitar tunes. Director Abbas Tyerwala has a lot of knowledge in music and knew what he wanted as far as the sound is concerned.
Among Bollywood composers, Pritam gives a lot of scope to young artistes. How much of space do you give to newcomers? Well, whenever I get a chance and I think a young and fresh voice would do perfect justice to my composition, I definitely like to give chance to a young artiste. In fact, in JTYJN a couple of songs like Aditi and Pappu Can’t Dance are sung by newcomers and I think they have done a brilliant job.
Among your contemporary composers, whose works do you find interesting? Well all the composers right now are really good, they all are capable of delivering good songs. For instance, Vishal and Shekhar, Pritam etc. are really good.
You are always accused of keeping the best song of each film you compose music of for yourself ? (Laughs) No. It’s the producers and directors who like the way I sing and want me to sing for their films. For JTYJN, it was the other way round. I thought I would have liked to sing the title track. But Abbas was dead against it. It was only when he heard it that he actually fell in love with it.
Your and Aamir’s association has always given out some really good songs. Do you think you too will recreate the same magic of Lagaan and Rangeela? It is a happy coincidence that we’ve both been on projects where music has played an important role. Our relationships in these films were of an actor and a music director where the interaction is almost minimum. On JTYJN, though, he was playing a producer. Our interaction has been minimum. In fact, when Abbas and I wouldn’t budge on certain issues, it was Aamir who played the role of peacemaker. My relationship with Aamir is very personal and we are friends.
Didn’t you fear that people would compare your title track with the original number?
I really like the title track of the film. I was a bit apprehensive since it was a very popular yesteryear number. To give music to such a number always brings along the fear of comparison. However, I have treated it as the music for today’s generation who may have not heard the original song.
Since film music is so popular in India, do you think we’ve reached a stage where parents would encourage if their children wanted to earn a living by composing. Or do they still want composing to be left as a part-time job? Of course, I think film music is gaining a lot of popularity. So, many music reality shows are coming up and the turnover for such shows is massive. There is so much of competition in here. Music composition has become very challenging and thus should be taken seriously and not as a part-time job. As far as parents go, they should encourage their children because if they have the knack for composing, they can definitely go a long way. I think hard work always gets paid.
You have an official website. Do you intend to start blogging someday? And if you do so, are you going to address key issues plaguing the Indian music industry through your blog? I am not sure if I’ll start blogging but if I do at any point of time, I’ll definitely try to bring up issues plaguing the Indian music industry and other issues as well.
Listen to the peppy song from Janne Tu Ya Jaane Na - From the promo
When one learns that AR Rahman is giving music for a particular song/film, the expectation grows. Do you feel the pressure on yourself? No. It inspires me to give better music. I work for myself and want to give good music.
Exclusive interview with Times of India
Hindi Ghajini will hit the screens from October
Actor Aamir Khan, who is recovering from an injury, will soon resume shooting for Hindi remake of ‘Ghajini’.
'We hope to launch the film by October,' director A R Murugadas said.
With A R Rahman scoring music for the remake, the director, who originally planned to have just one melody number, has included another one.
Asin plays Aamir's heroine in the movie. She was part of the original too.
Chennayil oru mazhakkalam, shooting starts
Ace director Gautham Menon takes up the nature of the prevailing youth culture in the cosmopolitan city of Chennai in his next film 'Chennaiyil Oru Mazhai Kaalam'.
Gautham, who has finished up the work on 'Varanam Aayiram' starring Suriya will start the shooting of his latest movie today.
The story of the film takes its shape from the call centre life of the city and the leading lady and the most experienced among the new actors Trisha plays the role of a girl working in a call centre.
Satish who was last seen in the movie 'Unnale Unnale' plays an important role in this new film.
The film while showing the IT culture of the city also will portray the life experienced by the employees during the night shifts.
The health and family problems faced by the call centre professionals will also have its say in the new urban film.
The film has songs composed by the music maestro A.R.Rahman and is produced by P Madan and J Ganesh under the Escape Artist Motion Pictures Banner.
Art direction is by Rajeevan.
Although Chennai is a hub of lots of leading call centers in India and a vast number of the present day youth who are also a part of the strong film crazy youngsters who represent the majority of the film audience works in the call centers and IT companies, not many films have come out of Kollywood which shows the life of this community till now.
Given the skills of Gautham Menon a fantastic film that shows all the sides of the kind of life led by the youngsters as well as their attitude towards life can be expected.
News Courtesy: IndiaGlitz
T-Series catches up Yuvaraj
When a company has the music rights of a film's songs composed by the Mozart of Asia A.R.Rahman, then there is no need to get worried about the success of sales of the music.
T-series is one company who is fortunate to associate with the music maestro back to back. After releasing the music of Aamir khan Productions 'Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na' composed by ARR, now the company will release the music of 'Yuvaraj' composed by the music wizard.
This film marks the return of Subash Ghai after a low profile 'Black & White' into his usual way of directing his movies in a large scale.
The film which will be released this Diwali has also the paring of the real life couple Salman khan and Katrina Kaif in the lead roles other than having acclaimed actors like Anil Kapoor and Boman Irani in supporting roles.
The movie is produced by Subhash Ghai's own production company Mukta Arts Ltd.
The videos of the songs of 'Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na' are already being aired by the different channels and have started getting good reviews.
How Salman shakes his leg to the tunes of A.R.Rahman in 'Yuvraj' is left to be seen
News Courtesy: IndiaGlitz
Chennayil Oru Mazhakkalam
Another project in our Boss's Kitty. This photo courtesy is to a Rahmaniac Vithur. This Ad appeared in The Hindu Cinema Plus.
Rahman took Amir Khan for a surprise
Recently, A R Rahman took Aamir Khan for a surprise visit to the Amin Peer Dargah in Andhra Pradesh. Says a source close to the actor, "Aamir and Rahman share a lot in common. Ever since they worked together on Rangeela a decade ago, the two have become great friends. They share a great rapport professionally as well as personally. Aamir had also invited Rahman to Mumbai for the music launch of his nephew's debut film, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na."
"After the music release, Rahman told Aamir that he had to leave with him for Chennai the very next day. Aamir, who was a bit surprised, asked the music director why he was asking the actor to accompany him to Chennai. However, Rahman refused to give any explanation to Aamir and only insisted that they must go to Chennai together," adds the source.
Aamir left with Rahman for Chennai on Wednesday but the journey didn't end there. Adds the source, "On reaching Chennai, Rahman drove Aamir to the Amin Peer Dargah in Andhra Pradesh's Cuddapah district. They reached the dargah in the evening after a five-hour-long drive. The dargah is very close to Rahman's heart and he completely believes in the power that it gives him."
Commenting on Aamir and Rahman's visit to the dargah, the source adds, "The two had dinner at the dargah and the mushaira, which started at on Thursday at 1 am went on till 5 am. Aamir really enjoyed the performance as he himself is a great lover of these things. The two spent some quality time there and Aamir loved the experience."
"Rahman had always wanted to go to the dargah with Aamir. He particularly wanted the actor to seek blessings and be present for the Urs. Rahman was also keen that Aamir attended a mushaira when qawwals especially perform in the dargah. Rahman attends this Urs every year. Last year he had taken Prasoon Joshi with him," says the source.
Sakkarakatti Audio probably on June
The audio of Sakkarakatti will most probably be released in June 2008. This is high time for the Rahmaniacs. The Audio has been released for ADA, and Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Naa.
Next month it is the time to hit charts with Sakkarakkatti. Enjoy music for your ears...
The movie stars Tamil veteran actor Bhagyaraj's son. He has already acted as a child artist with his famous father in one of his films.
Life time achievement award for A R Rahman
Acclaimed music composer A R Rahman will be presented with a life time achievement award by International Indian Film Academy (IIFA).
The award would be presented to Rahman on 6 June at a grand function to be held at Bangkok.
The award is being presented to Rahman for his immense contribution to promote Indian film music abroad and also making a mark internationally.
The function would be attended by the likes of Shahrukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan among others.
Courtesy: IndiaGlitz
Old and rare interview of A R Rahman in Doordharsan
Interview of AR Rahman (When he was almost unknown) in Surabhi in Doordharshan
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Veteran Malayalee Playback singer P Jayachandran is singing for a Hindi film.
Jayachandran has sung the song ''Milo Waham Waham'' with Alka Yagnik for the film 'Ada- A way for life'.
The song is a melodious number set to music by none other than A R Rahman. The movie directed by Thanveer Ahamed features ten songs by the ace music director.
The film which was in the making from 2001 was much delayed due to some technical reasons.
The movie which also features Rahul Roy and Ayesha Jhulka will grace the theatres next month
Rahman took three years to complete "The Lord of the Rings"
It took music maestro AR Rahman three years to finish the album for the stage adaptation of The Lord Of The Rings, working with 200 musicians and technicians for every song. The album, which has pushed up his international status, was released in February.
"Since it required more finances than I could afford, a private airline (Jet Airways) is sponsoring it," Rahman, who has recently opened a western classical music conservatory in Chennai, told IANS.
"Every song has a minimum of 200 musicians and technicians involved in it. Huge choirs and orchestras were brought into play. We recorded the album in London and mixed it right here in Chennai in my studios. The whole crew came down from all over the world," he added.
All songs are in English and in Elvish... the language of the Lord Of The Rings.
"I had lots of help from fellow-musicians like Christopher Nightingale. It took me three years to do the album. Without help from like-minded musicians it'd have taken five years."
With Rahman increasing his Western assignments, it looks like to be Bollywood's loss. Rahman is deliberately turning down big Bollywood assignments because of copyright and royalty issues regarding music sales.
Rahman is reluctant to talk about the issue. "It's too complicated. But yes, the issue of publishing rights does stop me from accepting more Bollywood offers," said Rahman.
"Those who want to work with me in Mumbai are agreeable to my terms and conditions. Those who do but won't agree to my conditions are going to other composers."
"At the moment, I've also cut down my film assignments because I want to focus on my western-classic music conservatory. With this conservatory I hope to bridge the gap between Western classical and Indian ragas. Imagine a thumri being played by an orchestra! Or a Carnatic raga being a part of a big Hollywood epic!" he added.
Commenting on his Bollywood assignments, Rahman said: "I can't be doing just films all my life. I need to take my music to another level now. But whenever I work in Mumbai, I give it my fullest concentration, as I did for Ashutosh Gowariker's Jodhaa Akbar, which I'm very proud of. The music takes both Ashutosh and me to another level."
Looking back, the talented composer is not the least content with his achievements.
"No matter how much you do, it's never enough. Music is my only therapy. There're so many awful things happening in the world. I wish I could heal the world. All I can do is use my music, which I do. My peace anthems like Vande Mataram and Pray for me, brother are a small candlelight in the storm. But you never know which candle will light a thousand other candles."
News Courtesy: Hindustan Times
Kabhi Kabhi Aditi - Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na 2
This is a new promotional video of Jaane Tu ya jaane na...
And more good news is that the audio release is official..Its May 15th...
This video embeded is from Youtube, so it may take some time to load...
Rahman goes designer for Cannes
The music maestro has hired designer duo Shantanu and Nikhil to dress him up for the coveted film festival, reports Sheree Gomes-Gupta
He has wowed audiences the world over with his superlative performances, and his music probably overshadows everything else he does…or even wears. But, as we recently learnt, AR Rahman isn't just conscious of the beats he composes, but also the way he looks.
Not only does the music maestro have a stylist, but he has roped in his favourite designers — Shantanu and Nikhil — to dress him up for the Cannes Film Festival, starting May 14.
"His style sense completely gels with our brand philosophy, which is understated, classic, sophisticated and luxurious. Which is why he loves our clothes and has been wearing them to his concerts," says Nikhil Mehra of the designer duo.
So, what'll he be wearing? "We've made him a navy blue jodhpuri bandgala, reminiscent of his Indian heritage, yet with a very stylish cut and silhouette suitable for red carpet dressing. Bringing in the luxe touch to the outfit is the appliqué work on the jacket inspired by the Mughal era. The outfit pays tribute to Rahman, both as a man and as an artiste who does India proud," he adds.
Interestingly, the music composer had just one request for the designers — to avoid the colour black. "Yes, he does not like the colour black. But apart from that one input, he left the designing to us," reveals Nikhil.
Also read:
AR Rahman bringing yet another big change to music industry
http://arrtheboss.blogspot.com/2008/05/ar-rahman-bringing-yet-another-big.html
Promotional Video of AR Rahman Musical Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na
http://arrtheboss.blogspot.com/2008/05/jaane-tu-ya-jaane-na.html
AR Rahman working on next commercial album
http://arrtheboss.blogspot.com/2008/04/arrahman-working-on-his-next-album.html
Known best for their red carpet dressing, having designed for the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, Sushmita Sen, Shilpa Shetty and Saif Ali Khan, among others, for several award functions, the two are now in the midst of getting their line for the IFFA awards in place. "We're busy finishing the collection and will be soon sending the designs out to various actresses," informs Nikhil.
And while they've got a whole bevy of beauties on their wish list, they're hoping Deepika Padukone, Konkana Sen Sharma and Katrina Kaif will wear their red carpet style to the IFFA. "Let's see how it works out," he says.
g_sheree@dnaindia.net
AR Rahman bringing yet another big change to music industry
Ada - A way of life
The maestro is back in the news after mesmerizing with his last outing Jodhaa Akbar. After delivering the music for one of the most grand and majestic films Hindi cinema has seen, A.R. Rahman's next outing is in the form of a more modest venture. Debut director Tanvir Ahmad's Ada with the tag-line "A way of life" will release later this year.
In fact, the film has been on the floors for about six years and earlier boasted of a cast including Amitabh Bachchan. Now, the film has been re-vamped with newcomers and should be completed by next month. It stars Rahul Roy, Nauheed Cyrusi and Ayesha Jhulka in pivotal roles.
Of the music, Rahman tells CNN-IBN, "The music of the film actually took six years to make because the film started six years back in 2002. The music has a very old school melody feel. But it also has other tunes so it does have a colour of different genres in it."
Since the making of the music has spanned over six years, audiences can expect a large range of tunes coming their way! In addition to Ada, A.R. Rahman has Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, Ghajini and Yuvraaj slated for release this year.
The Audio Release of Ada is on May 13th 2008.
Vijay music awards - AR Rahman once again
The second annual Reliance Mobile Vijay Awards 2007 was held on May 3rd, 2008 at Jawarharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium amidst much glitz and glamour. The ceremony witnessed the most popular faces and technicians assembled together for the grand spectacle.
Amidst much fanfare, the award winners were announced. The award for the favorite hero was given to the one and only super star Rajinikanth ('Sivaji'). The special award Entertainer of the Year declared by the jury was given to Illaya Thalapathy Vijay ('Pokkiri' & 'Azagiya Thamizh Magan'). The Best Music Director award was bagged by A R Rahman for his foot tapping numbers in 'Sivaji'.
The prestigious Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan award in excellence in Tamil Cinema was presented to Maniratnam, a man who has taken Tamil Cinema beyond the borders of Tamil Nadu and overseas. The award for the favorite Heroine was given to the ravishing Nayantara ('Billa'), the current heartthrob of Tamilnadu.
In addition to the glittering line up of stars present, the show was peppered with sizzling performances by the gorgeous Sada, Ragasiya, Neha and the dazzling Kamna. The popular rap artiste Blaze joined in the celebrations with his many foot tapping numbers.
We present to you here some photo shots that were clicked during the event.
News & Photo Courtesy: IndiaGlitz
Dhun with AR Rahman
Post marriage, it almost seems like Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan have only each other to work with. Not that anybody is complaining. According to the buzz, after being offered Mani Ratnam's Lajjo, the husband-wife duo will star in Chennai-based director Rajiv Menon's next flick. Titled Dhun, it is a music-based love story with none other than A R Rahman roped in as music director.
Obviously, the lovebirds are more than pleased to do another film together. After all, they can barely stand separation, even if it's for work. On her first wedding anniversary, Aishwarya flew all the way to Miami, to spend some time with her hubby who was shooting for Dostana with John Abraham and Priyanka Chopra. Now, Abhi-Ash will get to spend more time together thanks to Lajjo and Dhun. However, before it gets all hunky dory, they will have to bear some more months of separation.
Abhishek's Dostana and Aishwarya's Robot opposite Rajnikant are yet to be completed. Hence, the shooting of Dhun will begin only sometime in February 2009. Let's hope we get to witness the beautiful couple's awesome chemistry once again.
New University lists Dil Se as a must in your collection
And the reason... our one and only A R Rahman
Bollywood is known internationally and more specifically in the United States for making movies with lavish song-and-dance numbers. Many audiences around the world turn to Bollywood for its escapist plot lines. Although this list contains some majestic song-and-dance movies, there are also some thoughtful and insightful surprises. The prominence of Shah Rukh Khan should be of no shock to readers who know him, since most of India and fans in other countries around the world are obsessed with him. And this columnist is no exception. In no particular order:
1) "Dil Se (With the Heart)": There is one reason you should watch this movie—A.R. Rahman. Rahman is a music director who changed the face of music in Bollywood movies. Mani Ratnam, the director of the film, uses his music to not only tell the story of a female terrorist and a male journalist looking for the truth, but to also highlight the different stages of their relationship—attraction, infatuation, love, reverence, worship, obsession and death. The dream pairing of Ratnam and Rahman has produced films that cater to all of your senses, and this one is no exception.
Other movies are:
"Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (Something Special Happens)"
"Devdas"
"Mr. and Mrs. Iyer"
"Dhoom 1 and 2"
"Omkara (Othello)"
These six films represent the broad spectrum of Bollywood films out there, just as there is a diversity of cultural and religious groups in India. All of these films are available on DVD online and in your nearest Indian video store.
Read the full article here.
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Blaaze speaks about Pray For Me Brother, and A R Rahman
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Blaaze speaks about Pray For Me Brother and A R Rahman.
This video is from DVD accompanied with Pray For Me Brother...
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Enjoy...!
AR Rahman Asianet Interview
May 3, 2008
Voice Over: The music Rahman has been composing ever since Roja has captured the hearts of millions across the world.
"Do you pick up music from your sorroundings, and may be subconsciously perhaps?
Subconsciously I like to see what is happening in the area, like I was very pretty surprised when I went to Jeddah, and find the seal of Lebanon and Beirut, making a different kind of music. And Dubai ofcourse is another big creative place where I have been to. I have not followed that much because I have been involved in something else like Lord of the Rings and Elizabeth and my own projects which were K M Music. But I think it evolved in it, like Arabic music. There is a quality production at the same time maintaining the tradition of the Makkah..
"Do you obviously try to bring in the new element, let's say, like if it's Arabic or Sufi that now that affects you, do you try to subconsciously bring them to the songs that you do? Or is it really technical…
I…it's that it's mostly dependent on the Director. If something is good I tell them that you wanna hear this and he hears it and if they like it they embrace it, if they don't then I keep it as it.
Since you mentioned Lord of the Rings, you just completed album with that Warriors of Heaven and Earth, the Chinese movie… I mean you are really going international. Is it something that you really aspired for? What does it mean to you, this international reputation?
…For me I think music is…when I do music for a Tamil movie it is as respectful as when I do it for a Hollywood film. I don't think "oh it is a Tamil movie, let me do it all shoddy…give more finished work…(blurring )…hopefully I treat them all equally, whether it's American audience or Indian audience. And that's other one of the reasons why it transcends the audience.
When you work with the western orchestra, what is one similarity or one difference that you find compared to the Indian team with which you work?
I…here, I think once you work with musicians you know, you just have to say, we have to begin something and they will end that for you, they can take it further. But when you work with musicians you don't know, especially cast and orchestra, you need to write everything, you need to show them all, so you can't have it in mind and think that you can pull it off. You need to…there's a full process of orchestrating and copying down the stuff to the orchestra…
So it is more challenging?
It's not challenging, it's just the step towards that. I can't now wake up in the afternoon and say "call the orchestra, let me do a song." I can do that in Chennai. But I can't do that else. I need to have an orchestra booked three months in advance, I want to finish the scoring and then on the day of the recording they play. So it can't be done overnight. Everybody is preoccupied.
People complain that Indian musicians lack the dedication that classical musicians feel the rest have. What do you think about it?
I don't agree the generalization of dedicated/non-dedicated people. I think those who are dedicated are dedicated in a different way. You can't compare with them, they are unique in their own way, and they are unique in their own way. Because the infrastructure is built in such a way that it is organized, in the West. But here due to various different thing...lack of unity…may be it suffered a bit. But now hopefully things will get better.
Will K M Music Conservatory be one step towards that?
True music conservatory is definitely a step towards that because we have it all in us and it just needs that one step of organizing, or, helping to give infrastructure where they can play any kind of music and they can, in one step, jump to go to international arena.
And focusing on bringing more Western song music to Indian music through this institution?
No, it's not that why it works actually. It's acquiring more perception, and…generating more jobs, generating more passion, generating more shows and…so many other things. I think once it happen I'll also be more convinced than at this stage…
You also have a school of musical tradition as part of the conservatory. So are you actually encouraging people to learn the instruments that are fairly old? Considering that you have been accused of bringing in technology to music, you know, is it sort of repentance for that?
It is not a repentance. It is the way of life now. Because if somebody knows only one way, one little thing and they don't know the other thing, they cannot complain that this came in, like the video came and the radio starved (smiles). Let there be both and let them have a choice. If given an opportunity I'd have learned, that time, I would have gone to conservatory and all. But we all came up the hard way, so I think if they provided with the right sort of education, we can see much more music. We are only accusing "oh music is not like that those days", but nobody has ever thought of giving that to the people to educate them in the right way. Well, if somebody wants to get educated, the rich could go to Europe or America and learn, the poor could go nowhere.
Right
So..
So is it a paying back to the society today?
Also, it is also a selfish reason.
What is the selfish reason?
Selfish reason is that I'll be listening to the orchestra for five years and I'd be having an orchestra of our own, in five years or three years, or ten years, but the seed had to be sown, and it had to be done now.
How do you respond to that allegation you are clinging on, you are depending too much on technology? Do you feel…
I don't think it is an allegation, it's just…sometimes ignorance, sometimes lack of understanding of what they say. If you say, now that you are carrying a camera, (pointing at the camera), if I say you should use a machine old camera…you are using the technology to capture me. So that is not a…that's a progress. So certain things are progress, certain things are… If I make good music with whatever it is, then it is… it's a progress for me. If I deteriorate from that, if I'm making noise, so you are going to technology and making something irritating which I shouldn't like
But doesn't that happen now too often in modern music? Don't you feel, see, hear…
There is, there's good and there's bad. And we have to filter it, I think. That happens in every era I think. Mediocrity is in every era. That shortcut to creativity always happens.
Voice Over: Other than music, Rahman is involved in many humanitarian actions too. Rahman founded the A R Rahman Foundation with the aim of wiping out poverty from the face of the earth. Rahman was appointed as the Global Ambassador of Stop TB Partnership of WHO in April 2004. Albums like Pray For Me Brother, Indian Ocean etc depict Rahman's interest in humanitarian endeavours.
Is mediocrity what irritates you the most?
Definitely, all of us. And that is the reason for K M Music Conservatory. I feel, if we build up musicians, we muster them for melody and harmony, and they will never do that. Because they can never allow their conscience to go against what they have learnt. They'd give that, you know, beautiful format. They would take it further what good people have left.
You have once said that, you know, what Indian music now lacks is perhaps is a powerful, overwhelming male voice. Do you still stick to that?
(eh)…well, there was a time when people used to love this kara kara(rough) voice, which is not there now. The last I'dthink was Jesudas having that, probably Jagjit Singh and all..
But then you hardly use him these days, is it like you are giving a chance to newcomers?
No. What I have been doing is, I am doing very experimental stuff. I have never done the very straight stuff. In my understanding I am a rebel in my own way. I'd like do all the movies. I'd say "Give me all the movies, I'll do all of them". Then I'm responsible for that. I want to do things which excite me, which take me more, excite me, and take me to another spectrum of the music which has not been explored.
That makes you a rebel with a cause. What would be your cause?
(Laughing)…My cause is to give people something interesting. Because when you have something interesting…I want something interesting to listen to, I want to make something interesting to listen to. …of course…
Obviously there is something more in it. Anyone..a lot of people make music, which is interesting…I am sure you have something more spiritual, perhaps, than that.
Well, I think, definitely. Without any blessing I would be nothing. I believe that making peace out of chaos, making
What personal was perhaps the experience doing Pray For Me Brother? Was it a personal…Did it haunt you personally?
Pray For Me Brother…it did haunt me, because that is the only one thing which we always say to people, when friends meet they say oh brother I'm so pray for me, or I'd say to somebody, so that, whatever it is connotating, it is the only thing that we exchange. So I thought that is a good outline to have as a song. It's not about giving money, it's about wishing someone good.
It was thought provoking. I think that music must have helped in some way. Do you believe that these things actually make a difference?
At least the people have noticed, people have in a corner of their heart it's laid a seat. And lots have thought twice before spending money for unnecessary reason. This one could have done for that. So I just want that to be an inspiration. Not a solution. So in that way I think it did.
Do you go back to your pre-ghazal (that's what it sounded to me)days, when you are struggling, you are working. Do you do that ever?
I don't. (both laughs). Not that I have to, I think of the future always. Because the past sometimes is bad. It only brings the venom and brings the bad memories. And that's what is happening in the whole country, perhaps, the whole world. "You have done this to me long back, let me do it again now". It's just pointless. Good experience…definitely I'm grateful and have my gratitude towards them, but bad things I keep forgetting and thank you very much.
Sorry, but I have to take you to the past and considering that you have spend some part of your life in Kerala. What memories of Kerala you have
Kerala, I think…very laid back people, very honest…well…I…my first recording…actually Kerala was in my house. When I used to come out of my house I used to see musicians, producers, and directors, all waiting for my father, assistants and singers…so the whole of Kerala was in Tamil Nadu. You know, the whole industry was there. And it was like a family, a family of Malayalam and Telugu and Kannada men. My father was involved in so many different, he was assistant to so many different music composers. He was probably like a nucleus for everyone, and that's a reason he died, he go overworked. The lesson I learnt from him was not to overwork and worn out yourselves, because you need something for yourself.
Is it possible for you to follow that?
Ya, I tried it, and that is why I did one movie in six days
You keep visiting Kerala, on and off regularly on personal trip. Did you go to your father's place?
I did go to Kerala recently. I went for Muthu, I went for Padayappa , for an ad for Worldspace…
But you have never done a movie in Malayalam after Yodha. Has it been deliberate?
It's no deliberate. Just that I need something exciting. There were some movies which were very close to execution, but then it fell out, because of various reasons.
Can I give a suggestion perhaps. Considering that you bring in a lot of different world sounds, from different parts of the world, how about doing a song only with Kerala musical instruments?
Good Idea. In fact one of the bands gave me all the percussion instruments after an award I gave. They were so moved they gave me all the instruments they played, still I have that, I don't know what to do with it.
Why don't you consider doing something, perhaps for Asianet?
Asianet…
For your own reason…but something…
Well, there will be something, you never know. When it'll come.
Where does it, when does the spark come in, when do you realize that I am going to work on this and not on that?
I don't know, because there are some albums which I have done, Dakshinamoorthy Swami has composed it…(some part missing)
Do you think you are perhaps handicapped if you weren't too well versed in Carnatic or Hindustani music?
No I don't think so, because if I was fully into one music, I wouldn't have embraced the other kind of music, but the idea of going something, having the object of look on musical landscapes, the landscapes are different. There are extraordinary geniuses in Carnatic music, and Hindustani and every…But I felt that because my understanding is more from a distant point of view I can get away with certain kinds of things which I can't if I had known too much of nuances.
Sometimes… you picked up (some singers name) randomly pull out of audience and make them stars. What is it that make you feel that this star material, this is the guy who will make it work?
I never do that. They have it in them and that's what happens. I can never make a person star. What I can do is I can just try them out and if they have it in them, it shows, adrenalin comes in, the life comes out, and nobody can halt that.
Where does the role of a composer begin, and a singer begin? Where is that dichotomy? Is there a dichotomy at all? Or who needs to be credited for a song's success?
I think we are all instruments, we are all acting upon what we have to do. So nobody is in control, God is in control. And when Minmini just came and sang the track, so God wanted that to happen.
Are you treating it very spiritually this way?
I am in a way, actually, because things are put together, and because you believe in good things, I feel that things come together.. even if you want, sometimes you want a singer for a song for a concert and they don't come for ages and you call another singer, he sings the song and it becomes much better, and this happens everytime. And then you think that may be he was the person to sing this song.
But what is one song you would want to give in birth for?
I don't know.
Something which is very close to your heart?
I cannot …each person has one, no two people will say the same song. They are all beautiful. So I give respect to them ,and nothing to comment.
Thank you very much.
part 1http://youtube.com/watch?v=IpxH961k018
part 2http://youtube.com/watch?v=G5OspKHmYYg
part3http://youtube.com/watch?v=GElvy39Fctc
part4http://youtube.com/watch?v=mDN-x3xWQSY
Interview Courtesy: rahmaniyat dot blogspot dot com
AR Rahman conert in Los Angeles-2005
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Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na
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Tabu wants to sing in the south especially for AR Rahman
Tabu was recently spotted in Chennai. Before you read too much into this, let us tell you that she was spotted in a recording studio! And guess whose studio it is. Well what is there to guess. It is our Boss's studio.
No, she was not singing but she was paying undivided attention to India's Isai Puyal, who was making music for one of her films. Not stopping with that, Tabu was so taken up with the experience that she is reported to have expressed her desire to sing with A R Rahman in his music!
Rahman is supposed to have flashed a shy smile in response. Let us wait and watch.
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IIFA award goes to ARR
The Award for Best Sound Recording went to H. Sridhar for Guru, while A. R. Rahman won the Idea IIFA Award for Best Background Score for the movie Guru. Imtiaz Ali won the IIFA for Best Dialogue for Jab We Met.
The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) recently announced the awards in the Technical category.And no prizes for guessing the winners as it were the regular suspects who walked home with the prestigious honours. The winners included superhit like Chak De India (five awards) and Om Shanti Om (four awards). While Chak De India bagged the awards in Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Sound Recording, Best Sound Re-recording, Best Screenplay (shared it with Life in a Metro), Om Shanti Om got it for Best Art Direction, Best Special Effects, Best Costume designing and Best Makeup.The choreography award has gone to Vaibhavi Merchant for Aaja, while Javed Sheikh & Ejaz Sheikh won the best action award for the movie Shootout at Lokhandwala.
The prestigious IIFA awards are to be held in Bangkok, from June 6 -8 '08.
News Courtesy: oneindia
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