The interview which appears below, was originally published on Goergo.in in June 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.
I feel like my slate is yet to be written on,” said A.R. Rahman while accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award (2007-2008) conferred upon him by the Rotary Club of Madras. Such is the humility of the man regarded as one of the greatest Indian music composers of all time. “If you can start playing the piano at four, you can accept a Lifetime Achievement Award at 40,” said Indra Subramanyam, President, Rotary Club of Madras, summing the musical lifespan of the genius, thus far.
Most often when Rahman is asked about his inspirations, God figures on top of the list. Today, there was further insight into what lends his music soul – “Whenever I’m confident about something, I know I am wrong. It is when I’m insecure that I produce something special.”
Speaking further of the greats who inspire him, Rahman said he listens to music from different genres, from The Carpenters to M.S. Vishwanathan and compositions of Kannadasan and Naushad.
Rahman, the perfectionist, is allowed his quirks. When asked of the extensive research done for period films such as Jodhaa Akbar, he was candid enough to admit that he didn’t use any of it. “I wasn’t looking to recreate a Mughal-e-Azam or to better the compositions of Khayyam or Naushad. I wanted to do something that hadn’t been heard before.” Rahman also impressed upon the audience that life was beyond a tune, an album or record sales.
The award ceremony also included a documentary where some of the biggest names in Kollywood showered praises on Rahman, the composer and more lavishly on Rahman, the human being.
