Paul Morley sits down with A.R. Rahman, the famed Indian composer, in a straightforward conversation that explores Rahman’s musical journey. Rahman shares stories from his early days as a keyboard player working with older musicians, to becoming a prominent figure in the music video scene.
Staying True to Roots While Exploring New Sounds
A.R. Rahman talks about his musical influences, which range from Hollywood composers like John Williams to iconic bands such as Queen, and how Pakistani singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan inspired him with his emotional singing style. He also recounts his experiences playing in cover bands and later, creating original music, which paved the way for his work in composing music for commercials—a crucial step in developing his production skills.
Discussing the blend of Western music with his Indian roots, Rahman emphasizes the importance of maintaining his cultural identity in his music. He highlights his work with Danny Boyle on “Slumdog Millionaire” as a successful example of merging his style with Western expectations without losing his essence.
Rahman expresses frustration with the oversimplification of Indian music for Western audiences and praises platforms like YouTube for helping promote diverse music on a global scale, allowing people to experience Indian music in its true form.
