The interview which appears below, was originally aired on Koffee with Anu show in April 2008. Interview excerpt is written by V.R. Vithur from the A.R. Rahman Yahoo Fans Group. ©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.
You have been through so much growth. Is it true that you started playing the harmonium at the age of four?
I was just trying to (smilingly).
Was the harmonium your most fascinating instrument, or did you try everything and then come to this?
That was the first instrument I started with. My father used to cover it with a cloth and teach me which note was from where. So, he used to teach me that the note below 3 Black ones was F, 2 Was C. I used to remember it like a riddle. So, I would be asked to find out which note was from where by my father. I was not perfect, but I could find out which note was where because of playing it.
You went on to play in Raja Sir’s Music right?
I was playing for Malayalam composer Arjunan Master, Telugu composer Ramesh Naidu. That time, I got an Invitation from Raja Sir. Raja sir was playing for my father before. In that remembrance, Raja Sir called me thinking that we can call Shekhar ‘s son. That time was the first recording for Moondram Pirai. That time, he told me that I was very young and told me to come later. Then he called me after two years. That time, I worked with him for 1.5 years.
When I was talking with Mani Sir, he told me that one remarkable thing about Rahman was that he was playing like a small boy with Raja Sir, and then he decided that he would go on his own as a young man. So what inspired you to go on your own?
I got frustrated after playing too much Film Music. There was a monotony of playing continuously in the morning, evening… I started feeling if there was no life other than that. Then, I started thinking of making commercials, where we can do music of our own. When we learn Western Classical music and play, we play whatever notes are there in it. No Free thinking in it.
But in Classical, we can take a raga and improvise in it. We can do it in Jazz also. Film Music is also like that. The Notes that are given have to be played. So, we never know if we have the real skills of composing or not when doing Film Music, and also an urge to see if there was something else that would be interesting to do in the work. Adventurous Model.
As a child, you have been completely engrossed in Music. What about playing gilly, playing cricket in the road?
I have just flown kites.. I have even broken my hand in that. But there have been no fights with kites. More of Music, and less of all these. I don’t miss those times, I like whatever happened. Because when one thing reduces, another thing increases. I always believe in that.
What’s your relationship with your siblings?
I and my elder sister studied Music together. After that, she got married. And the remaining two sisters used to look after me when I used to come back from the studios. They used to take care of me like giving me coffee etc. They also became different when they became 16, which I am going to go through (my daughter is now 12 years). They think differently. I was the only male member in my family. All others were females. Probably, Prakash was the next male member. (My sister’s son), and that’s the little story (smiles).
Are your children interested in music?
Yes. I am going to teach them. They are also learning it. Then, they can make a choice. I will not be pushing them into music, nor even forcing them.
It seems your style of work is different. You keep adding a lot of things here and there, and for a long time, you keep experimenting with it. So How’s it?
For some songs, it happens like that, and for some songs, we get to know at the beginning, that this would be enough. For the same Love Songs, Duet Songs, Item Number, we ourselves tend to become bored, and people will surely feel bored. So, if it becomes interesting to us, then it would be surely 10% more interesting for people who watch. That is the real challenge.
Tell me about Sufism
It can be said as Divine Love. Unconditional Love for every Creation, of your GOD. Treating everyone equally irrespective of any materialistic grades. Equal Love, Equal Justice to all. This is what I have learned till date, There are much more things to learn. I am still at LKG.
Many have told, that it’s Divine Inspiration. How do you think of it?
Nowadays, if you see, there are a lot of choices. There are a lot of opportunities, choices, and avenues for diversion. Even if you watch TV, there are some 150 channels to select from. You can make out which channel to watch. For all channels to be channelized, I think, as some people put it, we must be like Samadhi. Once you come out of that stage, then you would get the focus and direction. That direction seems to be the right and correct way.
Mrs. YGP (School Principal of Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Schools):
Rahman was Dileep in those days. He has been studying in our school since childhood days. Very hardworking guy. In those times itself, He used to go to Keyboard classes at 6 AM. His father used to drop him at 8:10 in School, with a flask of milk. In the evening also, he used to go and play some jingles etc. He was the one man orchestra for our school. For all programs of our school, we used to tell Rahman, and he used to make everything ready. “Some are born great; Some achieve greatness; Some have greatness.” Rahman belongs to all these three categories. He has inherited the genes from his father. His whole family is dedicated to music, and apart from that, he is a very good human being. Even as a student, he was very helpful, soft-spoken. All the teachers adored him, and the best part is he remembers all his teachers. The best part was that he was friendly and used to share all his experiences with children, used to be very helpful to them. He doesn’t show off.
ARR: The relationship with her goes a little more earlier. Father used to play for Manohar Sir’s drama, and Uncle sir (Mrs. YGP’s husband was also a dramatist). Much more earlier than that, and that’s why my father put me on to the school. Because of the artistic connection. But I remember only the beatings that they gave me (very jokingly)
What for did you get beatings?
Of course, attendance.
Mrs. YGP: He will come late, and tell us some reasons. Sometimes, not much. In those years, we used to tap them once or twice.
ARR: No matter of child abuse (jokingly everyone laughs). I never went to college, and hence school memories are all the more impactful.
Mrs. YGP: The greatest moment was when he came to get the Natya Kaladhar Award (Bharat Kalachar), in the very same premises in Thirmullai Pillai road (where he studied). All old memories are crowning on me when I start speaking now.
ARR: Very good; very good.. No time for cutting classes, etc. Going to classes itself was a big thing.
YGP: I won’t blame him because he had to look after the family. He was the main breadwinner after his father passed away. So he had to adjust a lot of things. So taking care of that, coming to school itself was a big thing. Up to 9th standard, he managed, but went off to State Board at the time of Public Exams (during 10th standard). But he used to study well till that time also.
The most enchanting aspect is his singing for National Integration when he sang Vande Mataram. Singing routine songs is always there. But singing with passion, and full involvement, only Rahman can do.
ARR: Yeah. It was good teamwork. Bala was there.
YGP: Yeah. Bala still continues to be there, and your team is great. I am very proud to see our school student is famous worldwide, but at the same time, doesn’t have a slight trace of ego or headweight. I appreciate that very much. I have never seen him losing his temper. (ARR intercepts by saying at times YES, for which Anu says I will not ask about that because if he says he can show me a demo, then I am finished). His own children, he treats them with so much love and respect. It’s phenomenal. I take all pride and love, for he is from our school. God Bless you, my child, and she kisses ARR on the forehead. (ARR with all humility says Thanks)
Anu: What’s the secret behind the name?
ARR: There is nothing behind the name. KM is my own secret. Music Conservatory is the most important thing. I started thinking about this from the year 2000. When I went to the UK and saw the orchestra, I was thinking as to why not have such a thing here in India. A lot of my friends also had the same idea. But that idea was to set up a pure Western Classical Conservatory. But what we want to try to do is the musician we are training should be an all-rounder. First, they should learn music. They should become good human beings, good musicians, and then they can do anything. We will try to build a bridge for the students so that they can do a lot of things.
ARR: There is such a similar orchestra in Bombay. It consists of all Kazhakisthani (Russian players). The idea to start this was to have our own people, who will play the orchestra for ourselves. There is so much talent here, which can be seen nowhere. Already, there are 300 registrations, which have come in. We wanted to dive into this project this year, as so much time has already been wasted before. So, Instead of waiting for the building to come, we thought of simultaneously starting something.
I met a professor called Srinivasa Krishnan on a London Flight. He asked me if I was Rahman. He told me that all my songs have become the favorites of his students in the US. I went and checked. I found that they were learning my songs with so much love. Then we did a big concert in the US with them, and I was very much impressed. I told them about the school, and they assured me that whenever it may be, we will come and teach there. (the students there were foreigners and Black Americans). That gave a lot of confidence to me. It was such a beautiful thing for me because being in such a distance, they were ready to leave everything and come and teach here. They will come here, learn Indian classical, and teach their style of music. The way of teaching, the way of learning everything will be different. I want to create some leaders in Music and make them leaders.
There is another idea that we have to take up street kids, teach them and see what happens. Srini is from Global Rhythms. They are part of Ohio University. Hollywood Bowl is an interesting concert. In most of the concert, the audience would be varied people consisting of Tamil, Telugu, North Indians, etc., and they will shout for the songs they like. But in Hollywood Bowl, all were foreigners. We were thinking as to how they would enjoy our songs, but they started enjoying after some five songs. They were all dancing till the end. It was a nice concert. The ticket prices were very cheap. 1$ or 2$. All were directors, Editors in Hollywood.
Singer Kalyani Menon on A.R. Rahman
My association with Rahman is way back in 1980. I went to the TV Centre for recording a song. Very good melody. Arjunan Master was Music Director. That time, a small boy came for playing Keyboard. I was wondering how such a young lad will play keyboard. They put a plank for him on which he could stand and play. I was just enchanted when he started playing. After the song finished, I went running to the Music Director, to ask him, who this boy was? He said, “He is not new, and he is the son of our Music Director Shekhar.” Tears rolled in my eyes. Very modest; very very humble. Very genuine person. Truly spiritual. All success is attributed to God’s gift. Success has never gone into his head. I heard that he has started a new Music School recently. I am very happy, I wish all success. There should be a lot of musicians who emerge out of that school, and the institution should become very famous. This is my desire. Best of Luck.
S.J. Suryah on A.R. Rahman
Inside Man, an English Film. When I was seeing that film, Spike Lee was the Director. He is a big range Hollywood Director. When the title credits were going on, I could hear the song ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya.” I was wondering if our people were doing something to that film and started rewinding it to see it again. At the end of the title credits, special Thanks to Rahman Sir was written. So, there has been an International reach, for a Tamilian, from our soil. I feel proud to speak about Mr. Rahman.
He is a very spiritual man. Love for God, Devotion towards God, Love towards Human beings, and respect for human beings mark the qualities of the Music Maestro Mr. A. R. Rahman.
KMC is the name of the school started by Rahman Sir. Today, India is growing at a good pace in Sports., Cinema. For the betterment of India in Music, and for the noble purpose of encouraging good musicians, Rahman Sir has started a school which is a big service to humanity. It’s a big pride for Tamil Nadu. He has opened a big gate, for students to leave for foreign countries for learning music, and even for foreigners to look at India for Music. I needn’t talk anything about this. I am sure, Allah will bless him abundantly in this endeavor.
A.R.R: When I first met him, was on the flight. I was flying back from Bombay when he came and sat next to me. He started telling the story of NEW and was telling me that Ajith is going to act in that film. After two weeks, he said to me that Ajith was not acting, and that he would himself act. I told Ok. I think he was having the fear that I won’t be doing the film. It was a surprise that I said OK. He is very passionate about music. Overenthusiastic. Nice person.
About Rajeev Menon
He is the person who gave me my first National Ad. The moment I came out of Raja Sir, I was playing for Raj Koti for two years. At that time, he told me that an ad was to be done. I asked him, “What ad?”. He told me ‘an English song as required. The Ad was for Allwyn Trendy watches. After that, we became very close friends. We talk about music. He knows so many. He is an encyclopedia about cooking, about music. He has got a very good voice also. In fact, Kadhal Rojave from Roja was supposed to be sung for him. But I didn’t show it to Mani. I liked his voice, but before that, SPB Sir sang that song. Otherwise, he would have become a great singer by now. It’s not too late now also.
I think he should act. See him. and he marks at his photo and says, “he is very smart. very nice person also”.
About S.P. Balasubramanyam
I had an orchestra consisting of all small boys. Kumar, The Drummer, Prabhu, the Guitar. Our first performance was for SPB’s Birthday in Kala Sagar. We used to wait for his recording. SPB sir used to do recordings at 4 places. 12:00 at one place, 1:00 at another place, and 1:30 at another place. Ours used to be the 1:30 slot. Notes would be ready, and when SPB Sir comes and sings, we used to make it ready. (When I was working for Raj Koti)
I was particular that he should sing a song in Roja, and he sang “Kadhal Rojave”.
My favorite singer: P. Susheela. He writes a message for her in the Coffee Mug. (tells its secret). I like her voice, her pronunciation of Tamil. One of my most favorite singers.
