A R Rahman Online Website Beta

NOEL JAMES, MANAGER

Over two decades ago, Noel James was playing the piano as a lounge musician at a hotel in Chennai when a certain jingles composer walked in. “Rahman heard me play and asked if I was interested in working with him.” James agreed. That was the beginning of a partnership that has lasted to this day. James has since grown to become Rahman’s manager and chief public relations officer. He occasionally assists the composer in stage shows and handles much of his coordination — with musicians, clients, talent and even the media. The road to Rahman, it could be said, goes through James.

Born and brought up in Mumbai, James got hooked to music at an early age. After graduating from Loyola College, Chennai, he got a degree in violin from the prestigious Trinity College of Music, London. “I played in a band called Jumping Jewels, handling the vocals and guitar. That was before I went solo,” he says. He worked part-time with Rahman initially but became a permanent member of the team, singing the jingles and helping him with production.

Being Rahman’s manager has meant that James does not get much time for his own music—except when he plays at church. He has no regrets though. “God sends messiahs to earth, whether it is Jesus Christ or Prophet Mohammed. It has been quite a while since He sent someone. I believe A.R. Rahman is such a messiah who works through his music,” says James, for whom familiarity has only brought more appreciation towards Rahman, the musician and the man.

Ace music composer and Oscar winner A R Rahman will be performing live at Kozhikode on May 3 to express solidarity with HIV Positive orphaned children.

The show titled ‘Jai Ho’ is the’first mega music show’ by Rahman after he won two Oscars for’ Slumdog Millionaire’. Over 50 well-known musicians, besides Rahman, will be participating in the event, which is being organised by the NGO Global Kerala initiative’Keraleeyam’ for rehabilitating HIV positive orphaned children.

Rahman said he was happy to be associated with”the cause”. He said he had been wanting to perform in Kerala for the last 15 years.

Though he had cancelled at least seven shows, which were to be held this year in various parts of the country as he would be in the US for at least six months. He however, wanted the Kerala show to be held as it was”irresistible”. Malayalam singers are gifted, dedicated and their foundation very strong, he said.

Rahman said his late father, R K Shekhar, who was composer and music conductor of Malayalam films, gave his soul to malayalam film music. Works of music directors like S Dakshinamoorthy, late Devarajan master, A T Ummer and his father, were the ones he liked.

“I watched the movie a year ago for the first time and watched it two more times since then and immediately I realized the potential of Rahman’s music and its universal appeal,” Fair told Financial Chronicle. The remix version, titled Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny), with a rough English translation of the Hindi lyrics, is sung by Nicole Scherzinger.

According to Fair, the producer of the remix, he was ready to have the release immediately after the Oscars whether or not the original won at the ceremony. True to his promise, the day after the Oscars, the remix version was released by the Santa Monica-based record label and Fair is hoping Rahman can conquer the US pop-music charts.

Continue reading “Pussycat Dolls with A R Rahman for Jai Ho” »

Now it has turned to be a hot topic in South India, especially the Tamil Film Industry where many have been debating the issue of who’s greater between ‘Ilayaraja’ and his protégé ‘A.R. Rahman’. None are least or greater than anyone. If you ask us, it would be the apt reply. Perhaps, we’re sure there isn’t any big reason other than this.

A.R. Rahman was bit distressed addressing the throngs gathered for his felicitation on Sunday Evening where his mentor Ilayaraja and M.S. Viswanathan were present. Speaking on the occasion, he said, ‘I was bit disappointed watching media channels especially certain websites that were continually passing abusive comments by comparing Ilayaraja sir with him. He’s the great master of all times and I’m nothing when compared to him… Elder Musicians like him laid the foundation and I’ve represented them for these awards’.