The interview which appears below, was originally published on Bangalore Times in January 2001. ©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.
After having heard A.R. Rahman’s concerts on TV over the weekend, it won’t be surprising if you are actually humming one of his tunes at this very moment. Of course, Rahman has been associated with anything that is remotely hummable during the past decade.
The maestro is, at present, enjoying the hospitality of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s house in London, where they are working on the musical ‘Bombay Dreams”. Meetings, writing music, playing live, and rewriting are all he does, apart from spending time with Don Black, who is writing the script.
In a telephonic interview, Rahman laughs at the past and looks ahead with hope. Foremost in his mind is his last year’s concert in Los Angeles.
How do you look back at Los Angeles?
It was quite nice. It felt good, the way it all began and concluded. This was actually the third in the line of four concerts I did. The first was held in New York, the second in Toronto, and the final one in San Francisco. Once every 2 years, I take about 4 months off of my creative time and devote it to something different. Of course, the producers keep shouting (giggle, giggle). Last year I had fewer films in hand and so I went ahead with the concert.
What do you feel about your own growth as a music director since Roja?
Roja was an effort to do music that crosses the mainstream yet is alternative and not remain just film music. My effort primarily has been to give more and more to the film industry as this is the only form of recreation for millions in this country
From all your film music, what is your favourite?
Honestly, I don’t want to decide now. If I look back, I would stop progressing and for now I want to carry on full-steam ahead.
There is a lot of orchestration in your music. Is that a conscious effort?
My music is based on the song and nothing else. I merely interpret the idea in my own way. Say a regular love song with a difference.
How much do you enjoy singing?
Hmm… do I sing? Where my music is concerned, I like to be objective and am happy to let someone else sing. This allows me to be critical. Though I love singing my own albums, but that doesn’t happen regularly as writing music. Where’s the time?
Have you cut down on your assignments to work with Andrew Lloyd Webber?
We have almost finished 50% of the work. I am presently at his house. The musical should be ready by next year. The script is just ready. It’s a great experience, you get to meet different people with different opinions; get to know your limitations, improvise and learn.
