The interview which appears below, was originally published on India Times 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.
The world knows A.R. Rahman for his musical genius, but behind the melodies lies a deep spiritual connection that drives his creativity.
Music is my means of connecting with the divine. What cannot be put into words, can be expressed through music. When one listens to music, one closes one’s eyes because music is an expression and celebration of the divine.
There are countless names of God, which we cannot utter simultaneously, but through a soulful composition, we can experience the whole power of God’s presence amidst us.
When I was composing for my first film Roja, I often went into a spiritual vacuum where nothing else mattered except the music. At those times, I felt connected with a supreme power. That is why I credit whatever success has come my way to the Almighty. I feel that the power and grace of the divine is infinite – it is we human beings who create boundaries and try to limit this power.
For artists, I believe that this manifests itself in the form of inspiration which helps you create something wonderful. I often work through the night because that is when I feel closest to the divine.
The divine power works in a mysterious way to offer you experiences, which enrich and make you a better person. As a composer, I have often felt that life’s experiences – both good and bad – have greatly added to my compositions.
My belief in Sufism has helped me emerge as a stronger person and has given me the equanimity to view life objectively. Often, when I visit a dargah, I feel a sense of peace enveloping me. I also believe in the power of prayer. I had an occasion to experience it for myself, when my daughter was diagnosed with a hole in her heart when she was born.
However, by the time she was two, the hole vanished without any operation. It was considered nothing short of a miracle. I believe it happened because of the power of prayer. If one is sincere, no prayer goes unanswered.
