A day with Rahman!

Just imagine! If you have a bent for music and if you are creative enough to please the selectors you will win a day to spend with the Mozart of Madras A.R. Rahman.

The leaders in mobile phones - Nokia and Big Music have are getting together for this music carnival. All the participants have to do is remix two leading compositions of this music icon from the forth coming flick, 'Ada' – A way of life.

This is the first time ever that Rahman has allowed anyone to remix his compositions. The interesting fact is that Rahman had done music for this film as soon as he completed working for the Aamir Khan-starrer 'Laagan'.

This competition will go one for a month wherein fans of Rahman can remix two songs 'Gulfisha..' and 'Gum Sum..' from the album of Ada and remix it using Nokia's recently launched Nokia XpressMusic mixer application.

For those who are not aware of this application, Nokia XpressMusic mixer application is an online music mixer available on www.nokia.co.in/XpressMusic that has pre-loaded Ada tunes.

The chosen one will get to spend a day with the music supremo and also remix the Ada soundtrack from Rahman's studio.

Ada-A way of life has new comer Ayaan Ahmad and Nauheed Cyrusi playing the romantic lead pair. The film also stars Ayesha Jhulka, Rahul Roy and Milind Gunaji.

So grab a Nokia mobile and start your remix now!


Courtesy: Indiaglitz.com

AR Rahman likes remixes too

One would have thought AR Rahman would be a fan of anadulterated music, but in an interview to TIMES NOW, the musical genius admits that he likes remixes too.

He's a musical genius whose work stands out from the usual remixed fare on offer in Bollywood, but the surprise is that AR Rahman actually enjoys remixes.

The ace musician says, "There are certain songs which are fun to remix, but sometimes certain songs, I don't think, are not right for remixing. One should get the consent of the composer and now, I am giving my two songs and wwould like to see how the effect is."


After the highly successful melodic 'Bombay Dreams' and theatrical production 'Lord of the Rings', A R Rahman is now coming out with the long-awaited Aamir Khan starrer 'Ghajini'.

About 'Ghajini', Rahman says, "Work on 'Ghajini' is in progress. We have to do another two songs. The release is for this year definitely, and it is a very exciting project."

Besides this, he also has a musical film 'ADA' for which he has composed ten tracks.

In the words of the musician himself, "It's something I have been wanting to do for a long time."

As always, Rehman is a busy man. But let's hope that even if he does find remixes fun, we
never get Rehman remixed but just unplugged the way we like him.

Courtesy: timesnow.tv

Now, remix A.R. Rahman on your Nokia mobile

As part of its endeavour to connect people to their passions, mobile phone major Nokia has joined hands with A.R. Rahman to give young Indians a chance to remix two tracks from the maestro’s forthcoming film “Ada… A way of life”. The announcement at a press conference here Monday marks the first time the composer is allowing listeners to remix his creations.

As a part of this initiative, Nokia and leading music house BIG Music will run a month-long contest where participants can remix the two “Ada” soundtracks - “Gulfisha” and “Gum Sum” on Nokia’s newly launched Nokia XpressMusic mixer application.

This is an online music mixer available on www.nokia.co.in/XpressMusic that has pre-loaded “Ada” tunes.

Users can remix the soundtracks by clicking on their favourite music genre such as Jazz, Folk, Punjabi, Hip-Hop and Rock amongst others. Participants also have the option to download the Ada tracks from the Nokia XpressMusic website and remix with their own professional music equipment.

The winner, to be chosen by Rahman, will get an opportunity to spend a day with the music legend and compose the remix soundtrack with him at his studio.

This remix would be released through a music video that would profile the winner and Rahman along with the top 10 finalists.

Elaborating on the concept, Rahman said: “India is full of talented young people and this contest is my way of unleashing their creativity.

“Nokia and BIG Music have come up with a very interesting concept and I am looking forward to see how the listeners interpret my music and give it a new form,” he added.

According to Raghuvesh Sarup, head of programme portfolio of Nokia India, “we share a very special and long-term association with Mr. Rahman and we treasure this relationship.

“We are very grateful to him for agreeing to this initiative and giving youngsters an opportunity to express themselves through music,” he added.

Courtesy: thaindian.com

AR Rahman, Big Music, Nokia team for Ada music

Nokia has joined hands with AR Rahman and Big Music to give young Indians a chance to remix two leading tracks from A R Rahman's forthcoming film – Ada...a way of life. This is the first time ever that the beacon of Indian music is allowing listeners to remix his compositions.

Ada is directed by Tanvir Ahmad and produced by Kazaan Ahmad. It stars debutant Ayaan Ahmad, Ayesha Jhulka, Nauheed Cyrusi, Rahul Roy and Milind Gunaji.
As a part of this initiative, Nokia and Big Music will run a month-long contest where participants can remix the two Ada soundtracks namely Gulfisha and Gum Sum on Nokia's newly launched Nokia XpressMusic mixer application. The Nokia XpressMusic mixer application is an online music mixer available on www.nokia.co.in/XpressMusic that has pre-loaded Ada tunes.

The winner, chosen by AR Rahman, will get an opportunity to spend one day with the music legend and compose the remix Ada soundtrack with him at his studio.

Elaborating on the concept, Rahman said, "India is full of talented young people and this contest is my way of unleashing their creativity. Nokia and Big Music have come up with a very interesting concept and I am looking forward to see how the listeners interpret my music and give it a new form."

Sharing the details of Nokia's first-of-its kind initiative Nokia India head of GTM, program portfolio and categories Raghuvesh Sarup said, "We share a very special and long-term association with Mr Rahman and we treasure this relationship. We are very grateful to him for agreeing to this initiative and giving youngsters an opportunity to express themselves through music… Nokia's strategy is aimed at developing the market for mobile music and enriching consumer experience by associating with leading players like Big Music".

Big Music & Home Entertainment CEO Kulmeet Makkar, adds, "BIG Music is delighted to be associated with ADA - A R Rahman's signature works. We are committed to quality content and new talent development. Our association with Nokia is another step forward in our belief for music for everyone."

Courtesy: businessofcinema.com

A.R. Rahman acquires land for his dream project

Music maestro A.R. Rahman is ready to build a music conservatory in Chennai for young talents who want to learn Western classical music. He has already acquired land for it.

"It's near the Chennai airport. And we plan to start work on it very soon," Rahman told IANS. He says starting a music conservatory is a dream he has nurtured for years.


"I feel young talented musicians in our country, specially those who want to learn Western classical music, have nowhere seriously creative to go. We need to cultivate a taste for Western symphonic music so that an average musically-inclined young musician would be as enthused about learning the violin as the star," said Rahman.

The land purchase puts Rahman's dream plan into third gear.

"We'll soon be working round-the-clock. I want it to be one of the best music schools in our country."

Speaking on his latest music soundtrack in Hindi, Rahman said: "I wouldn't even want to compare my output in 'Jodhaa Akbar' with what Ashutosh Gowariker and I did in 'Lagaan' or 'Swades'.

"Or, for that matter, what Rakeysh (Omprakash Mehra) and I did in 'Rang De Basanti' (RDB). We've done what we liked without thinking of the outcome. You've to go by your instincts in every form of art. I've never intentionally tried to break the mould. I've tried to do what's right."

Two of his old scores are also ready for release.

"Two years back Abbas Tyrewallah's 'Jaane Tu Jaane Na' and 'Adaa' by Tanvir Ahmed were recorded. These will come in the next two months."

And, of course, there's Subhash Ghai's magnum opus "Yuvraj". "It's got Western classical vibes, but the sound is very Indian, very mellow."

He says his music in Ghai's "Taal" helped him earn Punjabi fans.

"I think 'Taal' took me to the Hindi-belt masses. I ceased to be different. Before that I was seen as this oddity from Chennai. Of course, 'Rangeela' got its own glory. But 'Taal' is the one that created a hardcore Punjabi audience for me."

He also has Mehra's "Dilli 6" coming up. "It's turned out very well. Who can say how it will be accepted? Did anyone expect RDB to become so big? Even a small idea can change the world.

"When I came into Hindi cinema with 'Roja', the whole road was empty. A lot of people are still doing good work, but not consistently. Good work can be done even on YouTube on the net. So let's not blame the lack of opportunities for the inconsistent musical output.

"Some of the stuff is undoubtedly good. You can't just write everything off. But I feel the whole idea of pop art has to change.

"Malayalam director Adoor Gopalakrishnan says TV has corrupted popular tastes. I'd have to agree with that. I feel the film medium deserves much better. Even I get pulled into projects which are not right."

Ask Rahman whom he considers a path-breaker after himself and he quips: "Why do we need a path-breaker? One never intends to be a path-breaker. If it happened I'm fortunate.

"Right now we need more experimental melodies in film music. The problem is that the minute you start composing a soundtrack, you're thinking you'll do what sells in the charts. Your intention becomes diluted. It's more about marketing than creativity.

"Which songs should go on the shelf, which should go into the pubs - these questions should come after you create the music. And there's a diminishing respect for creative people. Stars get all the respect because they bring in the audience. But what about other creative people?"

But Rahman is hopeful. "It will all taper off. We'll have more talent coming in."

Courtesy: Nowrunning.com