Fresh off his Oscar wins for Slumdog Millionaire, A.R. Rahman sat down with ABC News (Australia) during a particularly tense moment in India-Australia relations. As attacks on Indian students made headlines, the legendary composer was preparing for his concert at Parramatta Park, determined to use music as a force for unity.
In this candid conversation, Rahman opens up about his role as an unlikely cultural diplomat, the global impact of his groundbreaking film score, and why he felt compelled to come to Australia precisely when others might have stayed away. From his philosophy of bridging cultural gaps to personal reflections on family and his 18-year musical journey, Rahman reveals the heart behind the music that has touched millions worldwide.
You’re in great demand around the world. What was the deciding point for you to come to Australia and perform here?
First of all, I like Australia and I come to great audiences because I came in 2005 for two concerts, one in Melbourne and one in Sydney, and I have a lot of friends here. Also, Australia made my song “Jai Ho” number one, so as gratitude and as probably this concert which I’m doing here, I want that to do multiple things. One is to have a great concert for people to enjoy, and also to spread the message of togetherness and peace and build a bridge for people who are trying to break it.
With Slumdog Millionaire, what do you think that has done for international Indian diplomacy, and you’re right at the vanguard of that?
I think Indian cinema had its point of coming out, but it was in a shell, and there’s such a great culture and tradition out there. Probably this film’s success actually has built in a lot of confidence for Indian artists that they could do anything, and it’s a great statement from India. Thanks to Danny Boyle and the whole crew, and of course the kind audiences.
It’s been a breakthrough for you personally and as a representative of the Indian entertainment industry. I’m wondering how winning those Oscars has affected your life?
It kind of gives credibility for the whole journey I’ve taken, and because I’m an open person and I believe in universal kind of thing, and I was not stuck to one kind of music, I tried different music – stuff like Western classical and Indian classical and folk and modern pop and all that stuff. So I do all kinds of stuff. In a way, I think it gives me more confidence and it gives me more acceptance on the world stage to experiment and do good things.
Has it sort of made you really a citizen of the world more? I think you said you’ve got a house in LA now – are those personal changes in your life very real?
It is, actually, in a way. So working in Hollywood, I might be doing something Indian in Hollywood sitting there, but it’s a great feeling being there. I used to adore, and I still adore, Hollywood and the films and stuff.
The concert on Saturday – what’s in store? What will people see and hear at your concert on Saturday at Parramatta Park?
Well, it’s a celebration. It’s a celebration of the 18 years of my music. I’ve just taken probably songs which I think would work for all the communities to enjoy, and the dancers and there’s a lot of great singers from India, and I’ll be singing and stuff like that.
You’ve come here at a time when relations between India and Australia have been strained because of the violence against Indian students. Do you believe the suggestions that Australians are racist?
Well, it’s a very complicated question because there are certain people, certain killings which are racial according to the research and stuff, and there are certain things which are not. So the media should be very careful in not reporting everything as racial killing back in India or here. If they take responsibility and not dwell on the past but strengthen the future, that’d be a great thing to do.
When all those things were occurring recently last week, did that make any impact on you? Did you at any time think, “Well, I’m not going to come now?” Did it impact on you?
No, I feel the urge even more to do that because of all the stuff, and I felt that it’s going to be very important to do that.
What do you think that young Indian students – primarily a lot of them are doing nighttime jobs working at takeaways, 7-Elevens, etc. – what do you think they should do or how they should protect themselves?
First of all, my condolence to people who have been killed in whatever form, whether for racial killing or whatever killing. I would advise them to be careful and not work in, not walk around in places where it’s the drug area or, you know, like alcoholics and stuff, because that’s the main reason for the killing. They don’t see what race they are; they just want to kill because they are not in their own senses. That’s important. And be careful what you do – like if you’re responsible and you act responsibly, nothing will happen to you.
Now you’re a musician and a composer, but you have really been thrust into the limelight to become a bit of a diplomat, and to the fact that the Australian government has paid for Australian journalists to come over here to coincide with your visit – are you comfortable in that space?
It’s a great honor, I think, considering me doing that, because my philosophy of life is to bridge gaps in culture and in humanity. Even if I could do a percentage of it, I’ll be thrilled about it.
India itself, of course, has lots of divisions with Muslim, Hindu, and Untouchables – that whole system. Are you also seen now in India as someone who brings people together?
The music which I make is listened to by everyone and everybody supports it, so I have a responsibility to give it back to them. The anonymous support they give to my music, I want to give them back in bridging gaps. So whatever little I can do and inspire people to do that.
I know your father was a musician and you lost your father quite young, and you’ve paid a lot of tribute to your mother. I guess that family is very important to you – it’s probably shaped the way that you are?
Yeah, it’s very important because that keeps you grounded, and the support actually increases the concentration on music even more.
