The interview which appears below, was originally published on Mid Day in February 2007. ©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.
In Mumbai to promote his UN initiative Pray For Me Brother, A.R. Rahman faces a few googlys for someone who has nothing to say about the World Cup. “Why are you not supporting the girl child, Tell us something about Holi, Why did you shoot this video in a First World country when you show poverty in a Third World country.”
Isn’t that the predictable thing to do? counters Rahman coolly, Show poverty in a Third World country?
The Mozart from Madras is chilled about his first English track dedicated to the UN Millennium Development Goals promised by the world to end poverty, hunger and disease by 2015. Its black-and-white video has a black man and white woman drive through streets struck by images of the world’s problems.
Through it all, Rahman sings, Are you searching for a reason to be kind?
The song is co-written by singer Blaaze and its album (Rs 150) has the making of the video in DVD format. Later, the music director did some straight talking on charity for Sunday MidDay.
The other person who you identify music and poverty with is Bono. Do you like his music?
I’ve seen Bono on concerts and stuff, but I’m not a great follower of his music.
Has your foundation done other work besides this album?
There are two foundations – one is the music foundation and this charity one. This is the first initiative from the foundation. All the profits from this will go to the UN Save The Children. So if you think of what we have to do, there’s lots. This is our first and it’s a good start!
You spoke about the issue of hunger earlier with so much passion…
I’m a pious person. The first thing that any religion tells you is feed the poor. It saves you from disasters, from uneasiness. First of all, it gives you a good feeling.
I constantly think when I buy musical equipment, Man, I’m putting so much money into this! I spend Rs 50-60 lakh on equipment. How many people can be fed with that! It’s a constant thought process with me.
But I say, This is necessary for my profession. It’s a difficult balance. All these 15 years, it’s been a big mind game for me.
The Oscars are on Monday morning and “Water” is in the running.
When I went for The Lord Of The Rings stage premiere in Toronto (Rahman composed its music), everyone was talking more about Water than Lord Of The Rings. I hope it wins!
But you share the credits for Water with Mychael Danna. Your name comes after his.
Yeah, well, what happened was when I first did Water, I didn’t realise that it would create such controversy. I didn’t want to upset anyone because I have a universal audience. I thought that I should stay out of the film. Deepa understood that and went to Mychael Danna who did the background score. The songs are all mine. But after I saw it, I felt it was a pure film.
In Hollywood films, the score is more important. In the CD that was released in the US, it says songs by A.R. Rahman on the side in an equal credit. But I’m trying to reduce those kind of multi-credit things.
