A R Rahman Online Website Beta

He said that in India’s film world, people change Muslim names to Hindu ones to get success but, “in my case it was just the opposite from Dileep Kumar to Allah Rakha Rahman — and I’m very proud of it.”

Rahman’s music is everywhere: in discotheques, in malls, at wedding parties, on satellite channels, in taxis. He is a celebrity in his own right. His face adorns the cover of every album he cuts. Autograph hunters hound him wherever he goes. A couple of companies have tried to lure him into product endorsements, but he refused, preferring to distance himself from the glare and the sometimes self-indulgent afterglow of fame.

Such was his attitude when Arab News met him yesterday in Mina after a hunt of five hours that had started just after Maghreb prayers. Once a practitioner of idolatry, Rahman now talks about Islam like a scholar. He winced as he spoke about the ignorance of some Muslims and the divisions among them on trivial issues.

Rahman, who has come to perform his second Haj with his mother, utilized every bit of his stay in Mina, Arafat and Madinah in prayer and remembrance of God to “cleanse the inner self.”

With the release of Jaane tu ya Jaane na and Ada, the maestro has come out in flying colors with the songs as well as a brand new finding to the Indian Cinema Music, Rashid Ali. It is strange at times, that Rahman even gets notified about each and single men in his group. After sharing the credits of his success to his fellow musicians like Naveen and Shivamani, Rahman gives an opportunity to his lead guitarist Rashid Ali to sing the foot tapping track of Jaane Tu ya Jaane na and the solo duets of Ada.

Rashid Ali is was introduced by A R Rahman during his Third dimension Tour, conducted all over the globe. Rashid Ali is quite senior in A R Rahman troupe and this cool guy is born in Hyderabad. Rahman met him in London and was impressed with his immense talent in playing guitar. As per the info of Siddharth Iyer, an active member of A R R Yahoo group, he did a jazz version of Ooh Lala Laa in the Dubai concert. He has already rendered his vocals to the movie Paarthale Paravasam.

A R Rahman is back again with the magic. As the tagline indicates “The musical journey of A R Rahman” continues with ADA. The experiment of Rahman with Rashid Ali. Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik, Chithra,Sukhwinder Singh, Udit Narayan makes a come back in Rahman’s team. Sunidhi Chauhan, Viviane Chaix, Chitra, Sukhwinder Singh, Naresh Iyer, Udit Narayan, Parul Mishra & Jayachandran gets a chance in the album as well.

Ada (Male Version) – The maestro makes the title song always a masterpiece. ADA starts off very well. Rashid Ali continues his magic with Rahman. We’ve never heard of him. Maybe a new guy who’s gotten a chance to sing for the great maestro. Rashid does a great job and will be in Rahman’s favorites for long. The song after seems to be a slow poison that I will have to get use to and I know I will like it once I do get used to it. The chorus seems to be catchy. There are compositions that Rahman makes will you will instantly fall in love with, then there many which you will have to get used to. But once you do then you realize how great his work is.

Hawa Sun Hawa – Alka Yagnik makes a come back to the team and seems to be a great return with this song. She doesn’t sound stale like she has in past few songs. Alka seems to be fresh and very young. This one is a lovely, soft, feel-good song that I can really relate to. Watch out for the flutes in the middlle, amazing work by A R Rahman. The song backed up by a strong lyrics. Just close your eyes and get swept away by this great composition.

Continue reading “A R Rahman's ADA ~ Music Review” »

Would it be Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak once again with the arrival of Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Naa? This is the first feeling one got the moment the first look of this Aamir Khan production was out. Marking the launch pad of his nephew, Imraan Khan, Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Naa seems to be another innocent love story in the offering sans any unnecessary mush, hence going truly with contemporary times. With pretty girl Genelia D’Souza opposite Imraan in this campus flick and A.R. Rahman as the composer, this Abbas Tyrewala debut directorial venture (he also doubles up as a lyricist here), JTYJN, is a promising flick arriving this summer. Does the music hold up to the promise? The answer is – Yes!

First things first – when the best of the best of 2008 would be written down, the number ‘Kabhi Kabhi Aditi Zindagi’ would definitely find a mention. Crooned by newcomer Rashid Ali who is being introduced by Rahman on Bollywood musical arena, the song is beautiful from the word GO, the moment guitar strings mark the song’s beginning.

Rashid’s voice is just perfect for an actor who is being launched in a youthful romantic entertainer and the singer utilizes the big platform to the fullest. While Abbas’ lyrics go truly with contemporary times, it is a nice change to hear a Rahman composition in a truly mainstream cinema rather than the historical/period/issue based films for which he has been creating music for quite some time now.

The award bestowed upon A.R. Rahman is one among the three special recognitions of IIFA, the other two being ‘Outstanding contribution to Indian Cinema’ and ‘Achievment in Indian Cinema’. The other two have been won by eminent director Shyam Benegal and Mumtaz respectively.

Shyam Benegal is considered as one of the best filmmakers of India. He marked his debut with Ankur, the impact of which can be felt even today. Shyam Benegal has a very simple but unique style. At the moment, the director is busy storyboarding for his film on Buddha. He is also working on a comedy subject which has received a lot of attention and is on the verge of completion. It is about a postman of a small village full of illiterate people, who becomes the confidant of everyone by reading them their letters.

However, his most exciting assignment at the moment seems to be Ghajini, where he is making superstar Aamir Khan dance to A R Rahman’s tunes. Ahmed reveals that the film’s music is a little ‘hatke’ even by Rahman standards. He says, the film’s music is very different….a bit of Rhythm & Blues. You’ll know what I mean when the music comes out. There’s a particular song in Ghajini where Aamir has spotted six different hair styles. I’m sure it’s going to create a buzz.”

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. Jayachandran has won national and state awards for the best playback singer. He has recorded songs in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada and Telugu languages. Jayachandran is also affectionately called the Bhava Gayakan. This is the first time he is going to sing for a hindi movie. That to of the music of magician A R Rahman. Jayachandran has earlier mentioned in an interview that he is going to sing for the musical maestro and everyone was eager to know for which film. Not a bad start right ? We wish him the best of luck.

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. Ace music director AR Rahman launched the music of Ada in Mumbai on April 28. He also launched a competition of remixing two songs from this film, with cell phone giant Nokia and music label Big Music. Two winners of this competition will get a chance to work as a music director with Rahman.

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.

Amidst much fanfare, the award winners were announced. The award for the favorite hero was given to the one and only super star Rajinikanth for Sivaji . The special award Entertainer of the Year declared by the jury was given to Vijay for Pokkiri’ and Azagiya Thamizh Magan. The Best Music Director award was bagged by A R Rahman for his foot tapping numbers in Sivaji.

Continue reading “A R Rahman grabs Vijay Awards for Sivaji” »