Jackson was reading Tagore, planned work with Rahman

Pop legend Michael Jackson was reading poetry by Indian Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore during the last days of his life, and had commissioned Oscar-winning music maestro A R Rahman to create a unity anthem for his new album.

Rahman got the job after his Academy Award success courtesy Danny Boyle's multiple Oscar winning underdog dramaSlumdog Millionaire early this year.

Jackson's last brushes with Tagore suggest he was developing a special bond with India, reports contactmusic.com.
"A R Rahman met Michael Jackson after the Oscars in Los Angeles and Michael asked him to compose a unity anthem for him... Michael's planned new album would have had a huge Indian feel to it... Michael was reportedly working with Adnan Sami, which was to include Indian musical instruments like the sarangi, tabla, and dholak," said an insider close to Rahman.
The unity anthem wasn't the first time the pair would have worked together, as they collaborated earlier on a track titled Ekam satyam.

A source suggested Jackson's brother Jermaine encouraged the King of Pop to explore Indian music, as "Jermaine's wife Halima reportedly lived in Chandigarh in India for some time".
Jackson was secretly also studying Hinduism in the last years.
"Michael reportedly learned how to meditate and he was a vegetarian. When he was presented statues of Hindu deities Ganesha and Nataraja, Michael knew who they were. He was also very anxious to meet Mother Teresa before her death. He had a great interest in all things India for some time," said Rajan Zed, the president of the Universal Society of Hinduism.





Courtesy: sify.com

The man who taught the world to dance

The death of Michael Jackson, The King of Pop has sent waves of disbelief and dismay across the Indian film industry. Reactions are flowing in thick and fast from everywhere. Everyone who loves dance has been inspired or delighted by Micheal Jackson at some point of time or the other. Michael Jackson was nothing short of a star of stars, the one whose charisma is unmatched. World music will never be the same again.

The ‘Indian Micheal Jackson’ Prabhu Deva said that he was shocked when he heard the news. He recalled the time when he had Michael Jackson in person when he had come to Mumbai, a meeting that was considered the confluence of two of the world’s best dancers ever.

In the last few years of his life, Michael Jackson had been dogged by controversies and issues. That is perhaps why Jackie Shroff said that his son had felt that ‘it was right that he breathed his last’. The death of Michael Jackson at this time is even more painful because it robbed him of the opportunity to have one last hurrah on stage in front of billions of his fans waiting eagerly to see him perform. He was set to go on a series of concerts later this year to mark a comeback after quite a few years out of the limelight. But that was never to be.

Micheal Jackson will always be remembered as one of the world’s greatest musical legends, perhaps the first truly global musical superstar. He was the man who taught the world to dance. May he rest in peace.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

AR Rahman recounts meeting with Michael Jackson

The sudden demise of Michael Jackson has put AR Rahman in deep grief. In his condolence message, the musician said that Jackson was a milestone in dance and pop music and his death was a shock to him.

Recounting his experience when he met the pop legend in Los Angeles, Rahman said that Jackson requested him to compose music for world peace and unity to which he had assented. Rahman added that Jackson was also concerned about the global warming and war issues and spoke in detail about these issues.

The musician also recalled the exhilarating experience of seeing the dance legend perform exclusively for him during the meeting.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

AR RAHMAN SET TO RECORD WITH FE-NIX

AR Rahman is all set to record with British girl band FE-NIX later this year.

The multi-million selling composer, who has won countless awards for his work on Slumdog Millionaire and Lord Of The Rings, is currently riding high in the charts with 'Jai Ho', a collaboration with The Pussycat Dolls. He reckons that Fe-Nix are Britain's answer to Nicole and co.

Record executives plan to break the girls into the Asian market as well as the UK, and news of AR's collaboration is sure to create a huge buzz across the globe.

He has already given the Pussycat Dolls one of their biggest hits to date. A spokesman for Fe-Nix added, "The girls are thrilled - they are all huge fans of his work."

"They already have endorsements with Apple Bottom Jeans and Lipsy, before their first single has even been released! We're confident they are going to be Britain's biggest breakthrough act of 2009."

AR Rahman joins legend Michael Jackson in support of Fe-Nix - the King Of Pop sent the girls a bouquet of flowers last month.

Fe-Nix release their debut single 'Lady Baby' on May 4th. The track has already hit number 1 in the club charts with spins on Radio 1, Capital and Choice.


Courtesy: bollyspice.com

Michael Jackson falls for A R Rahman

India's double Oscar winner A.R. Rahman dedicated his awards to the younger generation as he returned home to a hero's welcome, with ace drummer Sivamani and his troupe providing a pulsating backdrop, and a large crowd of thousands dancing to the chant of Jai ho.

The awards, Rahman hoped, would change fans' approach towards Indian music and his career.

"It's a starting point in my career and will indeed make a difference in fans' approach towards good music," said Rahmanat the Anna International Air Terminal after returning from Los Angeles, where he bagged two golden statuettes for Slumdog Millionaire for Best Original Score and Best Original Song for Jai Ho.

"I am completely overwhelmed, touched, with the kind of reception I got... it is great to be back," he added.

With a broad smile, Rahman exuded love when he addressed reporters briefly.

"My award's message was said clearly in my acceptance speech. 'In my life, I always had a choice between love and hate and I chose love.' That is my philosophy in life and in music," Rahman said.


"I chose to live a life overriding differences between people, states, language and religion. My fans should do the same. Hollywood stars Michael Jackson and Penelope Cruz liked this attitude and told me its inherent love affected them deeply," Rahman said.

As fans congregated outside his home in the southwestern suburb of Kodambakkam, Rahman was keen to ensure that neighbours were not disturbed in the dead of night.

"Thank you for coming, but I will not disturb you so early. We will meet again. Remember we are in the early hours. I'm tired after a long journey, have to work in the morning and my children have to go to school," Rahman told applauding fans.

Also present at the airport to welcome the composer were state Information Minister Paruthi Ilamvazhuthi and offbeat actor R. Parthiban. The minister led a delegation from the state government's protocol department and gave the music maestro a welcome generally associated with heads of state.

While Sivamani's troupe performed, a little away was another team from Kerala playing traditional music to herald the return of the hero.

Commenting on his win, Rahman said: "When I won the second Oscar, I wanted to give a bigger message. We have a choice for love and hate for everything whether religion, caste, language - it is to choose love over hate whether in music or the philosophy of life.

"All the actors and directors in Hollywood loved the statement. Michael Jackson liked it too. It is not the highest point in my career, but it is a starting point of making a lot of difference.

"I hope my award inspires others as well," said Rahman.

Rahman will be felicitated March 1 by the Cine Musicians' Union, according to the body's press statement.

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, who will be discharged from hospital on March 1, may briefly attend the fete - not only in his official capacity but also as the elder statesman of the Tamil film industry, ruling DMK sources added.


Courtesy: ndtv.com

Who’s Rahman’s favourite?

The singer and composer on B-town’s changing sounds and the magic of MICHAEL JACKSON

AR Rahman, who has composed for around 100 films and has won numerous awards, insists that even after spending over 15 years in the industry, he has a ‘hunger’ for good work.

“I want to set new benchmarks through every film. I’m not competing with anybody but myself. Each time I push myself a bit more. I like challenging myself with every project.”

Rahman, who is in town for his new film Ada, says he loves all the songs of the album but his favourite remains the title track Ishq ada hai and Hawa hawa.

Interestingly, the composer has been singing at least one song from each of his albums ( Tere bina in Guru and Khwaja Mere Khwaja in Jodhaa Akbar more recently). Rahman explains that he happens to sing songs that are left to be sung. “I normally don’t choose my tracks. I take what is left over. It’s funny that these tracks become hits,” he says. “With a leftover track I get the freedom to sing it the manner I want to. Maybe, it stands out because I work so much on it,” he laughs.

Ask him why he isn’t venturing into the international scene. “Why should I?” he questions. “I wanted to at one point of time. Something was shaping up but it didn’t work out. Right now, I’m very happy with the domestic scenario. I’m part of a change,” he says.

He adds, “Our industry is growing bigger and better. There is more fun composing now. The filmmakers are trying to do different things. It’s great living and working here.”

Ask him whose music he likes the best and Rahman reveals, “I love Michael Jackson’s music and style. He is a great artist. I love listening to him the most,” he signs off.

Courtesy: dnaindia.com