The article which appears below, was originally published by Manoj for Uyirmmai website in March 2009. ©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.
It was a time when A.R. Rahman was beginning to shine internationally with projects like Bombay Dreams and Shekhar Kapur’s Elizabeth. I was working on Dhinamani’s Deepavali special issue. I thought it would be wonderful to have Rahman’s interview for the magazine. He was flying between London and Chennai those days.
My friends called my idea ambitious. True enough. Catching him was nearly impossible. Getting even five minutes with him was rare luck. So wanting a full interview was indeed ambitious. Nevertheless, I sent him an email and forgot about it.
One day, in the lazy morning office atmosphere, opening my email brought an exciting shock. He had agreed to the interview and mentioned a date and time. It was sent the previous day. The interview was scheduled for 3 PM that very day I opened the computer. That was when he would wake up after working all night on music and going to sleep at dawn – 3 PM.
I rushed without any preparation. Rahman’s house on Kodambakkam’s Subbarayan Street stood quiet, showing no signs of being an international music center. A green flag flew at the top. Armed guards were at the entrance due to terrorist threats.
I entered the house. A wonderful tea with the aroma of masala arrived. I waited while drinking it. 3:10. Rahman came with a broad smile, wearing jeans and a white kurta, freshly awake and showered. He shook hands and welcomed me. Only ten minutes were allocated for the interview. I didn’t know how to begin. “I don’t have much knowledge about music,” I started. His surprising response: “Neither do I. I’m still learning. Let’s just talk about anything. Don’t be tense.”
When we finished, he introduced his little daughter who was peeking through the glass door, saying with a smile, “She’s a big rowdy.” Despite being celebrated worldwide, he showed no trace of pride or arrogance. He said he was flowing like a river. He insisted that all this fame wasn’t really his. In my two decades of journalism, I’ve met many celebrities. But I’ve never felt as close to anyone as I did with Rahman.
Though M.S. Viswanathan and Ramamoorthy were creating soul-stirring melodies, Hindi songs dominated that era. It was Ilaiyaraaja who made those mesmerized by Hindi songs fall in love with Tamil music again, establishing his reign. Rahman, however, was taking his music beyond Tamil and Hindi boundaries toward internationalization – this was how I began Rahman’s interview article. It was that year’s Deepavali special issue’s cover story. The title I gave: ‘All Glory is to God.’
Seven years later, at Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre, this morning in Indian time as this article is being written, A.R. Rahman, receiving not one but two Oscar awards for Slumdog Millionaire’s music, said in pure Tamil on stage: “All glory is to God.” Though years have passed, his heart remains unchanged. He continues to flow like a river. No fame can shake him. This is the gift spirituality has given him.
“This is a very joyous moment. At this time, I want to thank all the film crew members. I thank my music team in Chennai and Mumbai. There’s a dialogue in the Hindi film ‘Deewar’: when the hero is asked ‘What do you have?’, he says, ‘I have my mother.’ That’s what I’m saying too. I have my mother with me here. I have her blessings. All glory is to God.” As Rahman spoke these words, the auditorium thundered with applause.
Today, the country is resonating with Slumdog Millionaire’s acclaimed song ‘Jai Ho.’ Rahman has fulfilled an 80-year Indian dream by winning the Oscar and making the nation proud. In the Tamil Nadu Assembly today, the Speaker congratulated Rahman on behalf of the house.
“Tamil Nadu, the Tamil Nadu government, myself as its leader, and Tamil Nadu’s 60 million people – no, India’s billion people and world artists – are showering flowers in welcome, expressing joy, viewing you as their child, standing as mother to bless you. My blessings join these blessings. Long live Rahman. My dear brother who won Oscar awards, I wish you to win thousand more awards,” said Chief Minister Karunanidhi, expressing deep emotion from his hospital bed.
“By winning not one but two Oscars, you have made Tamil Nadu and India proud. Your mother, wife, and all family members must be delighted by your achievement. I join them in that joy,” AIADMK General Secretary Jayalalithaa expressed heartfelt appreciation.
However, I’m waiting for appreciation from one important person. A few years ago, while channel surfing, I stopped at one where M.S. Viswanathan was speaking passionately. He was talking about Ilaiyaraaja’s song “Valayosai Kalakala” from the film Sathya, deeply moved by the music. He spoke with genuine appreciation, showing no hesitation in praising the music of someone who had replaced him in Tamil cinema. He spoke with a pure heart.
But I don’t know if Ilaiyaraaja has ever said anything about Rahman’s music. He should say something now, after Rahman has brought two Oscars.
Great achiever Rahman, may you continue to succeed in everything. Jai Ho!
