The interview which appears below, was originally published on The Hindu in October 2008. ©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.
A.R. Rahman continues to make waves at the national and international level. The music of “Yuvvraaj” has just hit the stands, and there is talk about his collaboration with Hip Hop and R&B singer Akon. “Yes, he has sent me a feeler,” says Rahman. Reports suggest Akon wants a Bhangra influence in the music. “He might be associating Bhangra with Indian music; I will clear the perception.”
Another perception he aims to change is about Subhash Ghai, with whom he has collaborated once again in “Yuvvraaj.”
“Ghai is known to cater to the Punjabi and North Indian audience. This film talks about multiculturalism, and hence, the music also has multicultural influences. You will get to hear Beethoven…I have made use of my Conservatory.” He restrains himself as, at the time of the interview, the music was not yet out. Still, from Mani Ratnam to Subhash Ghai, he has collaborated with a range of minds and mindsets.
“They are totally different personalities, but both of them are quite clear about what they want and appreciate good music.”
He is excited about his international project, Danny Boyle’s “Slumdog Millionaire.” “It was an interesting experience because it is an Indian story told by a foreign director,” he says.
No Second Life
Try to take him to life beyond music, and Rahman responds that he doesn’t know much beyond music. “There is no second life for me. My work usually begins in the evening. That’s why at times I wish people good evening in broad daylight!”
Rahman will now be seen as a mentor in “The Big Band,” a music-based reality show to be telecast on Doordarshan. Unlike other shows, here the search is for a music band.
“I conceptualized ‘Ooh La La’ for Sun TV, where the focus was on bands rather than individuals. It was a success in the South, and I got tremendous feedback from the North and the North East, where bands wanted a similar platform at the national level. So when Phat Phish (the production house behind ‘The Big Band’) contacted me, I agreed.”
In New Delhi to launch the show, he says the series is not about winning but discovering music and talent.
“I don’t like the formats which put undue pressure on the participants, marring their confidence in the process. There is a probability that we may find individuals from different bands who can work together to make a new band.”
To start with, he will give a couple of tunes to the participating bands which they will arrange in their own way. “We won’t sit in a glittering set. It is also a travelogue where I will be visiting different cities in search of talent.”
Is it the “Rock On!” effect?
“Bands were always there; the film has just brought the focus back. India is the youngest country, and people want to listen to different genres and voices. Imagine a person playing just a guitar gets so many hits on YouTube.”
Ask him his take on the music of “Rock On!” and Rahman insists he has just seen the trailers. But his next sentence says it all: “I don’t like aping the West.”
Had he not been a film composer, Rahman says he might have been buzzing with a band. Is film music a dilution of ambitions? “No, I make music that the audience needs rather than what they want. I may be wrong in judging the needs, but the effort is always there. This is something I also want to come through the show. I like bands like Avial, which combines Malayalam folk with Hard Rock.”
However, this doesn’t mean compromising for popular appeal. “I want them to be generic as well as specific. It is difficult to achieve, but let’s see.”
