The interview which appears below, was originally published on Hindustan Times in March 2015. ©The rights to this material are reserved to the owner. If you have any concerns or comments, please send an email to info@rahmaniac.com.
Playback singer Darshana, who has sung a duet with music maestro A.R. Rahman for the upcoming flick OK Kanmani, says singing alongside Rahman is pretty much like winning an Oscar, Grammy or some such coveted award.
In Rahman’s upcoming Tamil soundtrack OK Kanmani, Darshana has crooned five tracks, including a duet. “To see your name right next to AR Rahman is a feeling I can’t explain. It’s beyond my dream. It’s like winning the Oscar, Grammy and National Award all at the same time. To share the vocal space with him is a special feeling,” said Darshana.
“Even though my contribution to this movie is very minuscule, it’s still special to sing three songs in Tamil and two in Telugu from the same album. And one of songs happens to be a duet with Rahman sir. It was only after I saw the track credits, I realised it was a duet,” she said.
In the album, Darshana has sung Kaara Aattakkaara, Theera Ula and its Telugu versions. She also sang the female version of Mental Manadhil song in Telugu. Darshana’s collaboration with Rahman started way back in 2007 with Rajinikanth-starrer Sivaji. She sang the opening lines of the hit number Balleilakka from the film. In the same year, she also crooned Maduraikki Pogathadi from Tamil film Azhagiya Thamizh Magan and some portion of Mayya Mayya from Mani Ratnam’s Guru.
Her other Rahman songs include Pappu can’t dance saala and Nazrein milaana from Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Naa, Chinamma from Sakkarakatti. Darshana says singing for Rahman is special because he knows ‘how to get the best of a vocalist’.
“It has worked in my case really well because he’s given me different kinds of songs. While Balleilakka was folk; Maduraikki was complete folk with a western touch; Mayya mayya was Arabic. Pappu Can’t Dance Saala was hip-hop and Nazrein Milaana was a melody. He has given me the opportunity to work on my vocals and showcase the best of what I can,” she added.
She adds one can’t realise how Rahman gets the best from his singers.
“I think that’s where the magic lies. I have not worked with many composers, but with the few I’ve worked, they say what’s expected from me and I deliver. With Rahman sir, he gives you the space to experiment with your own voice and at the same time, he guides you as well. So you learn how to own the song and he knows how to get what he wants from his singers,” she said.
“In OK Kanmani, I’ve sung in three different genres. When you hear the songs, both in Tamil and Telugu, you know that he’s used my voice in a completely different way and for me, to get the opportunity in one album to sing in three different genres, I consider myself very lucky,” said Darshana, who stays in Chicago with her husband.
“I’m studying Jazz vocals at Berkeley. I teach Carnatic music to kids. I’m looking to take more vocal workshops. And if there are local bands where I feel I can perform, I do go and participate,” said Darshana, who is currently working on two singles that she plans to release by this year end.
