The interview which appears below, was originally published on National Herald in January 2000. ©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.
Do you think any of today’s composers have it in them to carry forward the tradition of film music initiated by people like you and Hemant Kumar?
Well, there’s A.R. Rahman. People become immediately entranced by whatever he composes. Rahman is a phenomenon. He’s young and talented. And he has his fingers on the pulse of the young generation. Illayaraja too is a great composer. Like Salil Chowdhury, he knows both Western and Indian musical styles. Rahman too belonged to that group until he was reduced to a consumer product.
I remember once I went to Hyderabad after Rudaali was released. The South Indian press wanted my opinion on Rahman. I told them he should take it easy. He has even composed a song Take it easy policy (laughs). He’s a great talent but his talent shouldn’t be over-utilized.
I’m glad he’s expanding his creativity, incorporating north Indian folk, and so on. Recently nine of us including Lataji, Ashaji and Jagjit Singh sang Jana Gana Mana under Rahman’s supervision. It’ll be released on August 15. The project has been produced by the Vande Mataram producer Raja Bala. I was like a chorus singer singing for Rahman. He told me to sing in my own way.
He also joined us in the singing. He got so excited that he picked up the guitar and started playing impromptu during the recording. I could make out Rahman loves me.
Are you amused or disheartened by present-day musical trends?
I’m a little sad. I’ve observed five decades of changing styles and trends. But you can’t kill a raga-like bhairavi or a clean melody by Hemant Kumar or Lata Mangeshkar. But why dont they have music as a subject in all the schools? They teach Do re mi to the children in the schools out West. Why dont they teach Sa re ga ma to our kids? Only then can the whole nation sing Jana gana mana in one voice.
We musicians shouldnt abuse youngsters for falling tastes. We should criticize music companies for marketing rubbish. There’s a lot of mediocrity in the name of music. My hopes are pinned on A.R. Rahman. There are other youngsters also coming up.
Such as?
Ah there you have got me! Yehin mushqil ho jata hai na. I find that spark in Hariharan. I also have great respect for Illayaraja. I have a feeling he’ll come back with some great music.
Any other ambitions?
Tips have approached me for a project with Lataji. It’s being worked out. The album will contain songs selected by her. I have the highest regard for her talent. When I recently met her for Rahman’s recordings she recalled incidents from our past. We were both appreciative of Rahmans gentle and humble attitude. Otherwise, there’s too much arrogance all around us. And mediocrity sab aksham anukram ho raha hai.
