Congrats, A R Rahman

In the video film, Chithra said Rahman took Tamil Film Music across the oceans. S P Balasubramaniam said it was Rahman's father Sekar who gave him his maiden opportunity, in a Malayalam film. Vaali was at his best when he suggested that Rahman should never forget his Tamil roots even when he is experimenting with Western music.

It is great to win a Lifetime Achievement award at forty. And yet, Rahman was, as usual humble. "What are you going to teach your children?". And he said, "My wife will teach them." "And what will you teach your wife?". "Oh, she is teaching me a lot", said the one and only Rahman. Incidentally, his wife was there too.

What music does he like to listen to? All kinds, especially those of the early sixties. "There are times when I cut myself away totally from music", said the prodigious composer and song-writer.

RAHMAN'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS

He was born on January 6, 1966., in a musically inclined family. At four, he started learning piano. At nine, his father died, leaving on his young shoulders, the burden of supporting the family. He cut his musical teeth at eleven in Ilayaraja's orchestra, as a keyboard player.

With Ilayaraja and subsequently with other troupes, he travelled around the world. In between, he won a coveted degree in Western Classical music from the Oxford University. He has worked with internationally reputed artistes and groups.

This Asian Mozart's music had sold millions of copies worldwide. This melodic genius has brought about a freshness to film music. Apart from Carnatic classical, he is an amazing master of Western Classical jazz and rock. Who else could be a bigger representative of Indian Music?

It all started with Roja in 1992.. He has never looked back. He started redefining contemporary Indian music and continued his colossal stride with memorable compositions like those in Bombay, Dil Se, Taal, Lagan, Kathalan, Indian, Duet, Minsaarak Kanavu.....the list is unending.

His Vande Mataram is unforgettable. His collaboration with the legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber created history with their �Bombay Dreams'.

Padma Shri Rahman is highly philanthropic and that made him an honourary Rotarian. He has many decades of music still left in him and we wish him many more years of immortal compositions.

Courtesy:chennaionline.com

AR Rahman: The master in his element

When it comes to composing music or being modest, not many can match A R Rahman.

The Mozart of Madras on Tuesday proved why he continues to be loved by one and all even after almost 16 years after he first burst into the music scene with Roja.

Receiving the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from Rtn. Indra Subramanyam, president of the Rotary club of Madras, the music director, in his typical inimitable style, said," Ella pugallum Irraivanuuke." (To God be all glory!) after saying, "It's an honour to receive this award. However, I still think that nothing has happened. I am like a slate that is yet to be written. There is so much to be done, not only in music but also for humanitarian causes."

The award was conferred on the music director, by the Rotary club of Madras which sought to salute "the consummate composer who makes music the language of the heart and the soul".

Rahman was posed a few questions on the occasion to which he replied in his trademark style. Needless to say, his brief replies were laced with wit.

When asked what kind of research he did to recreate the effect for period films like Jodhaa Akbar, he said," We did a lot of research for Jodhaa Akbar and finally did not use anything we found."

It required a carefully- worded question to corner the musician, someone in the audience asked, " In addition to God (We know that you will attribute your success to God), what is the source of inspiration that gives you melodies?"

Rahman replied," There are two things I follow. When I know that I'm confident, I know I'm wrong. When I'm insecure and when I feel I'm going to be humiliated, that is when something special comes up."
When asked to name a few of songs he wished he had composed, the director initially tried to sidestep the question, but then responded," I would love to do something on the space that is there on the music of the 60s."

Disclosing what he preferred to listen to, the music director said, "I like Carpenters and old songs. Songs of Kannadasan, M S Viswanathan-Ramamurthy, K B Mahadevan and P Susheela are good. I like listening to Hemanth, Mandolin Srinivas and Kishore."

When pointed out that he had already reached the peak and that there was nothing left to conquer, the ace musician said, "I don't think benchmarks should be set. So much more has to be achieved. That is why I have started my music school."

When asked what he would like to teach his children, he replied, "I think their mom is a better teacher." And finally, when asked what he would like to teach Saira, he shot back,"She is teaching me."

The taste of music
Rang De Basanti was good but not good enough to beat Maah Tujhe Salaam. Thiruda Thiruda was much better than Rangeela. However, it was Zubaidaa which won the honours hands down on Tuesday at the Taj Connemara, where a function to felicitate musical genius A R Rahman was organised.And boy, were they all delicious!

For those of you who still haven't been able to comprehend what we are talking about, Rang De Basanti, Maah Tujhe Salaam, Thiruda Thiruda and Rangeela were the names of delicacies and dishes served to the dignitaries who attended the function organized by the Rotary club of Madras. While the Shahjahani badam ka shorba soup was called Jodha Akbar, the salad bar with dressings was called Satrangi re... and the main course comprised Maa Tujhe Salaam... (Tiranga Mirch Aur Paneer Jalfrezi), Rang De Basanti (Zaffrani Khumbh, Mutter Aur Makai), Kuchi Kuchi Rakkama... ( Kathrikai Rasvangi), Thiruda Thiruda (Kaikari Kothmali Korma) and Ahe Udi Udi... ( Urlai Vepudu).
The Lucknow Dum Biryani with Burhani Raita was called Zubeida and steamed rice was known as Sathiya. Dal Panchmela was called Rangeela while assorted Indian breads were called Lagaan!

In the dessert section, Chum Chum was called Chaiya Chaiya and finally, Chocolate Desire was aptly named Chinna Chinna Aasai..., reminding us the fact that the song continues to be one of the sweetest songs ever made.

Courtesy: timesofindia.com

Rare honor conferred on Rahman

Noted music composer A R Rahman was conferred the Life Time Achievement award by Rotary Club of Madras for his contribution to Indian music.

Stills and Videos from the Function

Stills and Videos from the Function

A man of simplicity and nobility, Rahman said, ' I still have a long way to go'.


The man who carved a niche for himself coming out with back to back hits ever since he was introduced in Mani Ratnam's Roja was at his usual best.

'If you can start playing the piano at four, you can accept a Lifetime Achievement Award at 40,' said Indra Subramanyam, President, Rotary Club of Madras, summing the musical lifespan of the genius, thus far.

A God-fearing individual, Rahman said, ' Whenever I'm confident about something, I know I am wrong. It is when I'm insecure that I produce something special.'

Rahman said he listens to music from different genres, from The Carpenters to M S Vishwanathan and compositions of Kannadasan and Naushad.

The music genius added that he did a lot of research for ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ and didn't use any of it in the end.

'I wasn't looking to recreate a ‘Mughal-e-Azam’ or to better the compositions of Khayyam or Naushad. I wanted to do something that hadn't been heard before.'

The award ceremony also included a documentary which featured some of the biggest names from the Tamil film industry showering praises on Rahman. Special mention was also made on Rahman, the human being.

K Balachander, Mani Rathnam and Kamal Haasan among others spoke on the audio-visual highlighting the contributions of Rahman.

Watch A R Rahman Honored


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