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Interestingly, about 100 singers and stars including Carlos Santana, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx, Miley Cyrus, Enrique Iglesias Akon, Celine Dion, Barbara Streisand, Usher, and William, will be a part of the song. The remake will be recorded in the Henson Studios, the same place where MJ recorded the original.The song will be premiered on the NBC network during the Winter Olympics that is set to begin on February 12th.

None of the singers of the original song were invited to participate in the update, which was recorded at the same Hollywood studio once again under the oversight of Quincy Jones and the song’s co-writer Lionel Richie.

In all, more than 70 stars lent their voices to the song, and they all seemed in awe of each other.

The composer bagged the best compilation soundtrack for a motion picture and another one for “Jai Ho” for the best motion picture song at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.

He won the award with veteran lyricist Gulzar and Tanvi Shah who wrote the Spanish lyrics for it.

“This is insane, god is great again,” a beaming Rahman said after receiving the award at the biggest show in the music world. The other Indian contenders, Zakir Hussain and Amjad Ali Khan, could not manage to win the golden gramophones.

“Insane eh? I never even dreamt about winning all these awards,” Rahman posted on his Twitter page shortly after receiving the award.

Just a year ago, Rahman’s music for “Slumdog Millionaire”, a screen adaptation of Indian author and diplomat Vikas Swarup’s novel “Q & A”, had propelled him to the record books as India’s first double Oscar winner.

Besides the Oscars and now the Grammys, the Chennai musician’s composition for the film has also won him other prestigious international awards like the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), Critics Choice Award and the Golden Globe.

“We all are very proud of him. This magical musician has brought more honour to India, his family, fans, friends and his entire team. Such a young man has made his mark on the music map of the world. All of us should put him on our shoulders,” said Gulzar who shares the prestigious award with him.

This is Rahman’s first Tamil composition after wining the Oscar. This is also the first time Gautham Menon is working with Rahman.It would be fair to say this was the most anticipated album of the year.

Omana Penne | Singers: Benny Dayal, Kalyani Menon

The percussion in this song stands out right from the start. The kind of rythmic song that is soothing to the ears. Well suited for Benny Dayal and he has excelled as usual. The nadaswaram bit, heard on and off in the background, takes the song to another level towards the end. Unfortunately, the music masks the lyrics at places, thereby reducing the pleasure to some extent, but with such lovely music, the complaints wont be loud.

Anbil Avan | Singers: Devan Ekambaram, Chinmayi

A peppy number if you can call it. The initial segment sets up the song very well. Devan has done a commendable job. Chinmayi adds a soulful effect to the song and has backed up Devan very well. The chorus has done as good a job as the lead singers. The traditional marriage music that comes in the middle of the song offers splendid transition.

That finish to the two and a half hour production came in the form of crowd favourite `Jai ho’, which saw fireworks light the sky while concert-goers danced and chanted the chorus. The Slumdog Millionaire composer addressed the crowd before the finale on what he had earlier in the night called “one of the most historic concerts of my life’’.

“Thank you for being part of change,’’ he said, a reference to his wish to end the attacks against Indian students in Victoria. I want all of you guys staying here to bless the children of India with love.’’

Rahman also asked the crowd to spare a thought for the victims of the Haiti earthquake.“Life is just like that. Anything can happen,’So Jai ho, God bless you all.’’ he said.

They were words of wisdom to his adoring crowd, mostly expats from the subcontinent who came from across Sydney and interstate. The crowd stretched over 500 metres through a tree-lined corridor in the park, many families seated on picnic rugs.

2. Due to the family situation Rahman discontinued his studies in Padma Sheshadree Higher Secondary School during his 9th.

3. Rahman doesnt celebrate his birthday in a grandeur way. Early morning prayers, orphanage visits are the activities he do on that day peacefully.

4. Rahman eats just for his hunger. Takes on any food he gets in his house. His stomach gets filled for even “Rasam Sadaam”.

5. Rahman has 0% affinity towards gold jewellery. Slim Platinum ring is what he wears at times. He doesnt wear a watch in his hand.

6. Loves to listen M.G.R and Shivaji’s songs. At times he also sings those songs in his house which closely related people only are aware.

7. During the composition of a film or an add when Rahman sings “Pudhiya vaanam Phudhiya bhoomi engum pani mazhai pozhigiradhu” loudy that indicates all the work related with him is done.

The winner of two Oscars has some great plans up his sleeves, and helping him conjure a magical evening at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan will be some of the country’s best singers Sadhana Sargam, Hariharan, Javed Ali, Rashid Ali, Shweta Pandit and Neeti Mohan, not to mention renowned percussionist Sivamani.

The thousands of Rahman fans who will turn up for the evening are certain to be mesmerized at the concert organised by the Liver Foundation, West Bengal, which will build a liver hospital in the city from the proceeds of the ticket sales. During a trip to Kolkata on October 13, his first to the city since winning the Oscars, the music genius signed guitars which will be auctioned off within a few days.

The revenue so raised, too, will be spent on building the hospital. Most paintings and portraits creations of Liver Foundation vice-president Kalyan Bose that Rahman signed during that visit have been auctioned at a gala dinner.

When I was featured along side Obama and Oprah in Time, I casually asked her if she had ever been to India? She said no and asked if I would be willing to bring her here. I replied in the affirmative. If she does make that trip, I would take a week off from work and show her around. I admire and respect Oprah for the woman that she is and for voicing her concerns on various global issues.

I’m not collaborating with any composers in Hollywood. I’m just doing independent films with a few renowned names in Hollywood. Some of them are getting released this Christmas.  I will certainly reveal the names later. And no, it’s not the new James Bond film quotes ARR.

Continue reading “Oprah off to India with A R Rahman” »

Speaking about the music of Passage, Shekhar Kapoor quotes “Rahman composed a classic opera song that he recorded in India in an Indian female singer’s voice from his KM music institute in Chennai. When I played the song in Argentina, they said, ‘Oh My God, what a great opera and an operatic voice ‘ Their jaws fell open when I said both were Indians”

The 25-minute film “Passage” stars Haley Benett, Lily Cole and Julia Stiles.

Synopsis : Three estranged sisters reunite one night when the oldest, Ella, comes back for her two younger sisters after leaving them years before in mysterious circumstances. Ella’s absence has taken its toll and the two younger sisters now struggle to find their way in the world without her.

Caught completely off guard by the call, it took time for Farhan to realize that it was indeed Rahman who was talking to him on the phone.

A source said, “Rahman told Farhan that his voice suits a ‘cool’ number that he wanted him to record for Blue. Farhan, of course, agreed immediately. It was too good an offer to resist. In fact, Farhan and Rahman met two days ago and spoke at length about the song.”

Farhan, who is currently shooting for Kartik Calling Kartik, is looking forward to the recording.

Confirming the news, Farhan said, “I am damn excited about singing for Rahman. I have been a great admirer of his work and have thoroughly enjoyed his music.Our meeting was wonderful. Rahman said that he decided to use my voice for his composition in Blue after he heard the Rock On!! album.

He was extremely soft-spoken and humble and spoke about how the past few months have been a whirlwind ride for him. He also briefed me about the song but I don’t know whether it will be right on my part to reveal anything about it.”

And  rightfully so. If the crowd reaction in Hyderabad on Saturday night was anything to go by, Rahman needs a barrage of bodyguards.

In town to be part of a ceremony to honour him for his achievements on the world stage, Rahman was a picture of calm and dignity.

India’s very own Pied Piper who enjoys demi-god like adulation from zillions of music buffs across the country and who was instrumental in showing the world that music is not about language seemed overwhelmed with the love and respect shown to him. “I’ve not come here for any gold crown, but for the gold mine (Padmabhushan Dr P Susheela) sitting here right next to me,” said Rahman.

“After I came back from the Oscars, Susheela Amma called and told me that she wanted to organise a ceremony for me. I did not question her about anything. I just told her, ‘you can do any ceremony. Just let me know when to come.’ That’s how much I adore her.”