How Mani Ratnam pushed A.R. Rahman to add storm to 'Thee Thee'
By Rahmaniac.com
May 20, 2023
A.R. Rahman highlights the importance of a distinct approach when composing film songs and background music, a valuable lesson he learned from Mani Ratnam.Rahman admits that creating an interesting piece of music is meaningless if it doesn't enhance the overall impact of the film.
"I once composed a lullaby called "Thee thee" and played it to Mani Ratnam for the 1993 Tamil film Thiruda Thiruda. He said: "Why don't you combine it with the sound of a storm?" "But the melody will get spoilt." "No, try it.?We added a drum roll that sounded like a cyclone erupting and then subsiding - the music suddenly becomes tranquil and then rises again.The final song looked very exciting on the screen. For almost four years, I didn't know if I liked it. Now I do."
"Directors like Mani Ratnam effectively combine contrasting musical moods. A musician doesn't necessarily think like that. I was learning and every new experience taught me something. Working with Mani sir made me think:If he can do that, let's see if I can too and get away with it." So I started combining and contrasting one style of music with another in the same composition."
- A.R. Rahman, 2011
Article excerpt from A.R. Rahman - The Spirit of Music Conversations with Nasreen Munni Kabir
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