I need my own space: AR Rahman
I need my own space: AR Rahman
New Delhi: Veteran Musician A R Rahman has made it to the Limca book of records for the year 2007. CNN-IBN's correspondent Reshil Charles quizzed him about his works and his reclusive nature.
Reshil Charles: 15-years after Roza, do you think there is something that you would like to change in your music style?
A R Rahman: I don’t think so. I think there is a personality attached to my music. There are so many different things happening that sometimes I feel that I should do similar stuff more.
I am looking forward to some of the biggest projects this year. There is Lord of the Rings musical happening in May. Then there is Jodha Akbar, which is again a big project.
Reshil Charles: People are saying that they can smell a Rahman track from a mile away. Is that a good thing or do you think that there are styles that you want to make different?
A R Rahman: You can consciously try to be different. But there is a personality for which people know me now. That is enough to recognize something. I feel good about it.
Reshil Charles: What do you have to say about your music label?
A R Rahman: My first production Pray for me Brother has already done well. Start has been very good. We have certain plans. Once it comes out, everyone will know.
Reshil Charles: Pease tell us about the status of The Lord of the Rings?
A R Rahman: It’s in the rehearsal stage right now. On May 9 I think it is going to be previewed first. We are looking forward to it now.
Reshil Charles: You often go into a shell of some kind. Why do become reclusive about things?
A R Rahman: I need to work. I need to be in my space and be with myself.
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/showbiz/...man-35938.html
Limca Book honours A R Rahman
Limca Book honours A R Rahman
By Businessofcinema.com Team
13 March 2007, 11:31 AM
MUMBAI: The 2007 edition of the Limca Book of Records, launched recently, features music maestro A R Rahman among five Indians who are chosen to be a part of the People of the Year section.
George Abraham, for his exemplary work for the blind, M C Marykom, the first woman to win three world boxing titles, cardiologist Dr Devi Prasad Shetty and tennis icon Mahesh Bhupati also feature among the chose five.
The 2007 edition of the record book celebrates over 10,000 remarkable achievements of Indians from around the world.
Says Coca-Cola India president and CEO Atul Singh, "The all-new and invigorated Limca Book of Records 2007, provides a platform to Indians, unknown, unheard and unsung to showcase their special talents. The book truly catalogues "India at her Best".
http://www.businessofcinema.com/?file=story&id=2665
India's Rahman hopes to create Oscar-winning music
India's Rahman hopes to create Oscar-winning music
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Top Bollywood musician A.R. Rahman said on Tuesday he was working to create music that strikes a chord with Western audiences so that Indian film music could one day win an Oscar award.
Three of Rahman's compositions were shortlisted for an Academy award this year, but none of them eventually made it to the final Best Original Song category.
The 41-year-old composer blames this on the failure to create music that western audiences could identify with.
"We have to give something which they are accustomed to and then the chances of bagging the award increases," Rahman, known for experimenting with new instruments and sound, said on the sidelines of a news conference.
"We have to create music which is popular there."
Rahman was chosen by composer Andrew Llyod Webber to compose music for his stage production "Bombay Dreams" in 2002, a runaway success which brought the Indian composer international fame.
Though happy with his songs just being shortlisted for the Oscars, the stocky, reclusive musician, who first found Bollywood fame in 1992 and has since created hit music for several films, said Indian film music was not good enough to catch the western ear.
"We have to understand that the song we create here, the popular song, is alien to the western audience."
http://www.reuters.com/article/filmN...20931520070313
'I don't talk about causes, I would rather do my bit' - ARR
'I don't talk about causes, I would rather do my bit'
AR Rahman speaks to us about his jugalbandi with wife Sehra, cricket, and issues close to his heart.
AR Rahman walks in, straight from the airport, into a room full of waiting journos and photographers, all in a frenzy to outdo the other for an exclusive with this self-confessed recluse.
Anyone else might have blown his fuse for having the microphone shoved under his nose for the umpteenth time, and being asked to say 'something' for Team India. But not Rahman. He smiles politely, and refuses to say anything that doesn't concern him and his work.
Doesn't he like cricket? "I do, but this is hardly the way to show it," he says. So what does he feel for, so much that it shows? "Causes. I want to remove poverty from India, and change the immunity that we have developed towards it. I want to do a lot for the specially challenged people. I want to change a lot of things.
But I don't talk about them either, for I'd like to do my bit and see that making a change." Like his first English solo for the UN, Pray For Me Brother? "Yes. This is my first humble step in making music that is for the whole world as an audience. I was very nervous when the song was released. I'm glad it's worked," says Rahman.
Amidst all this, no one notices a shy, quiet woman standing a few paces away, waiting to catch Rahman's eye. His wife, Sehra. "We have flown in straight from Glasgow. He must be very hungry," she says softly.
Is it always like this? "Always. I get to see more of him at concerts and TV than in reality," she smiles. Our photographer wants her to be clicked, but she manages to evade him, and go and stand in a corner.
Back to Rahman. His recent compositions have been for three contrasting films – Sivaji, Lord of the Rings, and now Akbar Jodha (excluding Guru, that is). How does it feel to be composing in different languages and time frames at the same time? "Terrifying," laughs Rahman.
"To wake up one morning and find yourself working on an epic, and a commercial Tamil number together can be petrifying." Sometime ago, he'd said that he could not be unapologetic while presenting his kind of music to a Western audience.
Has that changed now? "To a large extent, yes. But if one's used to eating burgers, one can't develop a taste for paav bhaaji overnight. There has to be a bridge, and that's my music's flavour – 'bridgey'," he says.
From a distance, Sehra tries to catch Rahman's eyes again. But he's busy posing for our lensman. "Do I look sleepy? I've hardly slept since a couple of days," he says. So how does he spend his leisure time? "I try and spend time with my children." The couple has three kids – Khatija, Rahima and Ameen – two daughters and a son. "My kids love my music, thankfully.
My eldest daughter is already learning music," he says. At this point, we request a picture with his wife. And finally, he looks for her, their eyes meet, and he nods for her to join him. Your wife is so shy, how does she handle all the fame, and recognition? "She handles our home, I take care of the rest," he quips.
kanpur.times@timesgroup.com
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/N...ow/1764098.cms
Top Ten albums of the week
Top Ten albums of the week
By Joginder Tuteja, March 16, 2007 - 10:30 IST
1) ‘Guru’ stays on at the top of the charts as none of the new releases of 2007 have made any impact whatsoever at the music stands. It has been a dull phase so far with the first quarter of 2007 threatening to go by without a single new release making a mark except ‘Namastey London’ to an extent.
6)Water - Surprise of the week. Just last week it was speculated that ‘Water’ entering the charts was just a flash in the pan but its sudden jump in the charts indicates otherwise. A quality album. It may not be yet another ‘Guru’ in the making but is being liked by the connoisseurs of good music
http://www.indiafm.com/features/2007...395/index.html
Rahman in Whistling Woods
Rahman in Whistling Woods
He was visibly delighted when he saw the best in the world of music. All these facilities, right here in India and that too at a place that is supposed to be teaching youngsters the ropes of cinema. It was too good to be true, but it was.
The occasion was the inauguration of the state of the art (this time it is really serious) studios (TV, film and sound) at the Whistling Woods International film school run by (dream merchant) Subhash Ghai. Also present at the occasion were prominent film makers Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Abbas Mustan, Vishal Bhardwaj and Kamlesh Pandey.
Rahman, speaking on the occasion told that the current crop of students were really lucky to have such facilities at their disposal. He recounted his early years when he had to struggle to get access to facilities. Rakeysh Mehra too praised the school for its standards that were nothing short of international. Subhash Ghai, founder of the school reiterated his commitment towards providing guidance and opportunity of the highest order. Looks like there is going to be no shortage of Rahmans and Mehras in the future.
http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-mov...ar-rahman.html
Rahman inaugurates studios at WWI
Rahman inaugurates studios at WWI
A.R. Rahman inaugurated the on campus state of the art film and TV studios and the sound recording rooms at the Subhash Ghai run film school Whistling Woods International.
Speaking on the occasion Rahman spoke on how fortunate the students of the school were. “When I was 11, I wanted to go to Berklee College of music but couldn’t go there. I was forced to be with 50 year olds who wouldn’t be really serious. But now students have an option of learning specialized fields from here and it is one of the finest film schools in the world”, said Rahman.
Rang De Basanti director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra was also present at the occasion. “When I was shooting for Rang De Basanti in Film City, Whistling Woods was under construction. I used to come here during lunch breaks and I could feel the positive vibes here”, said the director.
Chairman Subhash Ghai too had a lot to say about the school, “Our idea is to provide the best facilities to our students to train them in the latest technology that is being used for film-making today. At Whistling Woods, we combine creativity and hard work with cutting edge, state of the art technology to get the best out of our students.”
Also present at the occasion were director duo Abbas-Mustan, Rang De Basanti writer Kamlesh Pandey and director Vishal Bharadwaj.
Bharadwaj who was shooting for his short film on AIDS titled Blood Brothers on the campus of the school with Oscar winning cinematographer Guillermo Navarro was also felicitated at the occasion.