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Internationally acclaimed musical legend A.R. Rahman, single handedly known for re-energising the popularity of Indian film music, is the latest to leave his hand impressions on the Wall. Dubai Lifestyle City’s Wall of Fame is the UAE’s only initiative similar to Hollywood’s Walk of Fame and New York University’s Hall of Fame.

Expressing his gratification on this occasion, Raza Siddiqui, Executive Director, Dubai Lifestyle City, said: “Over the years A.R. Rahman’s music has attained a special place in the hearts of people with his unique quality and style. The recent popularity of his music score in the latest film ‘Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na’ and the innumerable accolades he received at the recent 53rd Filmfare, Zee Cine Awards and IIFA awards have reinforced his number one position in the music industry.”

In 2002, A.R. Rahman composed his maiden stage production Bombay Dreams (2002) following a commission from famous musical theatre composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. Furthermore, Rahman, along with the Finnish folk music band Värttinä, composed the music for The Lord of the Rings theatre production.

It may be recalled that Ilayaraja had rendered an album on Thiruvasagam with loads of spirituality in it. Rahman in the company of rap singer Blaze is working on the world famous Tamil literary work Thirukkural now.

‘We want to take Thirukkural to the next generation. We are doing it with utmost care and dedication in such a way that the poetic genius of Thiruvalluvar is retained’ says the highly talented Rahman. Rahman is producing the album which is sure to captivate the hearts of the young.

In a recent interview to a tabloid, A R Rahman expressed his desire to release the Tamil verse collection Thirukkural in rap format. He replied so when asked what would be his contribution to the younger generation.

Originally, the song was about 25 minutes long. ARR often write six or seven mukhdas and then there are many variations. He also recorded the song Ay Hairathe for the film but Mani Ratnam felt it was too heavy to be at the start of the film. So Mani thought of using Tere Bina.

Suddenly, the song got a life of its own. But there was one hurdle for Rahman. He had recorded it in the voice of Qadir Khan and Qadir did an excellent job, according to Rahman . But Mani wanted Rahman to sing it. Rahman added “I said, Qadir will get hurt, and I did not want to hurt him. But there was no way of getting out. It became something like: Either you sing it or it won’t be there.”

Asking whether it was a black mail from Mani Ratnam, Rahman replied “But in a good way (chuckles). I also told Mani sir that I was fasting then and didn’t have the energy to sing it. He said he would wait.

Shrewd business minds at Magnasound lost no time in printing brand new cassette-wrappers with Rahman’s name and face prominently displayed on the front flap and announced the release of the first international album by the whiz kid. Huge hoardings sprung up all over Chennai city, publicizing the new album obviously in a bid to capitalize on Rahman’s current popularity. Madhav Das, the executive director of Magnasound, didn’t even feel the need to confer with A.R.Rahman before releasing the album. “Why should I ask Rahman about re-releasing an old album with a new name? After all Rahman too changed his name without asking anyone, didn’t he?” says Das. On the other hand, Rahman is livid. “I’m not ashamed of my old album. Neither am I trying to hide my past,” explained the music director.

To a question on Kamal’s reported remarks that movies should be made without songs, Rahman said, `I don’t think so. If it is the case, then why Kamal should ask more numbers from me for Marmayogi.’ Actor Kamal Hassan says that his next mega venture Marmayogi is purely a historical subject, which has more scope for music than Dasavatharam. According to the actor, the story of Marmayogi is based on some interesting incidents happened in 7 century.

“There is no History Science mixture in Marmayogi. It is totally a different attempt and it has lot of scope for music, which helps Rahman to play as he like. The initial budget of the film has already crossed Rs.100 crores and I hope it would touch a new high in the history of Indian Cinema. The film will go to floor in August in a grand manner. I don’t like to disappoint my media friends by refusing or denying any of their reports on this project.”

Chief Minister Kalainyar Karunanidhi had hit the bull’s eyes with his stupendous works with his recent flick Uliyin Osai. The film is successfully doing well among the masses and now, he has kick-started with his next project titled ‘Ponner-Shankar’. The film has Prashanth donning dual roles and it’s a historic period movie about brave brothers raising their voices against the colonial domination.

Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi had personally invited A.R. Rahman to his residence. Sources close to him have stated that he has requested Rahman to score music for this film. Kalainyar had watched period films like Lagaan, Mangal Pandey and got enthralled with Rahman’s musical score.

Now, Rahman has almost accepted to score music for the film and things would be confirmed sooner. Some Media quoted A R Rahman visited CM regarding KM music conservatory. Now it becomes entirely different scenario. So we need to wait n watch. A week ago Thiyagarajan told that he would be roped in with the country’s best technicians to make the film as an unforgettable historical movie in Indian Cinema.

Taxi Taxi

Rahman strikes back with a foot tapping number again. Blaaze’s English rapping and Viviane Chaix’s French Lyrics add ice on the sugar cube. “il faut que je me depeche parce qu’on m’attend au chennai il faut que j’aille prendre le taxi à Paris”. I wonder how Rahman can add a French Lyrics to a Tamil song. He has added Arabic Lyrics in “Khalbali”, English Lyrics for most of his songs and I think this is the first time he has tried out French. Any how it has come out well and goes along with the song. Benny dayal’s sounds suits very much for the song. Its my second favorite song in the album. Jodha akbar fame Javed Ali has also sung in this song. I’ll not wonder if I hear people singing this song outside Railway station or Airport, calling for a Taxi. A Very good number.

Marudaani

Ahh Goosebumps. My favorite !! Song begins with heavy beats. This song is soo soothing and I fell love with it, when I first hear it. Madhusree’s voice is creating magic all over in the song. If you are looking for a love anthem after “Munbe Vaa”, then here is the next gift from Rahman. Do you remember Rahmans “Yelelo” humming in Roja ? That’s it. Did it create Goosebumps to you ? Then this song will also do the same. Now My Ipod is counting this song as 220th time and it will keep on counting. Its a must hear song. Go ahead, buy this CD. This song is worth for your money.

Few days back, Aamir had put up a debate on his blog, www.aamirkhan.com, asking his fans whether he should or should not add the female version of the track, ‘Jaane Tu Mera Kya Hai’ sung by Runa picturised on Genelia Dsouza in the film. Apparently, Aamir and Abbas felt that the song should be deleted in order to match up with the
pace of the film. Hence, it was not a part of the film when Jaane Tu… released on July 4. Now, since Aamir got feedback from a number of people that they missed this song in the film, he has decided to add it to the film.

The female version of ‘Jaane Tu Mera Kya Hai’ will now be added to the film from this Friday ~July 18 and will run for a week. Moreover, depending upon the response they get for it, Aamir and Abbas will decide if the song should remain in the film or not.

“That would be cheating my listeners,” said Rahman, and after listening to the script thoroughly, gave Kalaa some beautiful tunes. The high-profile audio release of Sakkarakatti, held recently at a city multiplex, was well-attended by celebrities of the film fraternity.

Veteran directors like K Balachander and SP Muthuraman wished the debutant director, who is producer Kalaipuli Thanu’s son, the best of luck for the film. Sakkarakati also also marks the debut of Shanthnoo Bhagyaraj, son of renowned film personality Bhagyaraj.

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The first glimpse of BLUE was unveiled at Cinemax in a grand media event by none other than Music Maestro A.R. Rahman, sound expert Resul Pookuty, Director Anthony D’Souza and Producer Dhilin Mehta as they presented a unique ‘Sound Promo’ of the film.

Audiences too will get a sneak peek of the extravaganza on their television screens and on the big screens too as the theatrical promo opens with the weekend releases. An underwater action thriller BLUE captures the fast paced action, above and below the ocean as never seen before in Indian Cinema!

All set to hit theatres this Diwali on October 16th, Blue is produced by one of the biggest production houses Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd., which has tossed out landmark films like Jab We met, Bhagambhag, Golmaal, etc. And this time, producer Dhilin Mehta has once again defied norms and raised the bar in film-making.

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