The interview which appears below, was originally published on Tamil Magazine - Kumudham in August 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.
Have you started a music college in the US?
It is not a music college… It is a different kind of an attempt for exchange of music. For many years now, many American youngsters have been performing my compositions and researching my music, under the name “Global Rhythms”. An event named “Rahman Nite” was organised in Michigan University, and the entire proceeds went to poor children . This is just a cultural exchange, that’s about it!!
Is this an attempt towards your dream of international confluence of music?
To reach hearts, music is definitely a way. If we understand various cultures and the minds and the soulful raagas within the hearts of people around the world, where is the question of War or violence… This is my small contribution to theis world.
After Bombay Dreams, your mega project, Broadway show “LOTR” has released in London. How do you feel?
This is a big project for me! I worked on this for about a year. This is is Sir Andrew Llyod Weber’s dream project. Bombay Dreams, which was based on ,y film music compositions ran successfully in London and New York. But, LOTR is a big challenge, because it is a classic in both the forms – books and the movies. It required lots of effort.
Speaking of Bombay Dreams, it was staged only in New York. We are making efforts to take it to other cities in the US.
Do you have any intention of settling down in New York or Toronto?
All these seem to be the intention of the press!! Wherever I go, Chennai is my native and my hometown. My family live in Chennai. When I started composing for Hindi movies, rumour spread that I was going to settle in Mumbai. Now, it is New York. That is the only difference…
I do stay in these countries to compose music. Even for LOTR, I composed in Chennai and Toronto. The world has shrunk to become a global village. One can do anything from any part of the world…
What do you think of the increasing “Kuthu” songs trend in tamil film music?
It is a very sad thing…There can be one such song in an album. Having all songs like this makes it feel like many thunders landing right on your head!!! The thing called “melody” is slowly disappearing from Tamil cinema.
Kuthu songs are nothing but short cuts. But, we shouldnt blame just the music director for this. Directors also have a big role to play, in this. Tamil cinema must be saved from this illusion called “kuthu” songs. Please dont make “Kuthu” songs as anthems of Tamilnadu!!!
In Sivaji, after we finalised Sahara, Shankar argued that the song was too slow, and might hamper the speed of the movie. So, I made it slightly faster. There was no issue of ego, in this case.
You were invited to teach music at some American Universities?
I was invited by California, New York and Weslian Universities. I just said “Sorry”
When is the day when you will be composing for Hollywood movies?
Talks have been on for many years. Hollywood film music is not like Indian film music. I will be required to stay and work in Los Angeles for 1 year. Till now, no movies worth that much of compromise has been offered.
