Wednesday, 23 December 2015
Saturday, 12 December 2015
AR Rahman to lend his voice for a song under the compomosition of another music director
Allah-Rakha Rahman popularly known as AR Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, music producer, and above all, he is the Oscar winner. Rahman’s works are very famous for integrating Eastern classical music with electronic music, world music, and traditional orchestral arrangements. Among his awards are two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe, four National Film Awards, fifteen Filmfare Awards and thirteen Filmfare Awards South. Rahman’s body of work for film and stage has given him the nickname of “the Mozart of Madras”, and Tamil commentators and fans call him Isai Puyal.
In 2009, Time included Rahman on its list of the world’s most influential people. The UK-based world-music magazine Songlines named him one of “Tomorrow’s World Music Icons” in August 2011. Tough is a maverick in music composition, AR Rahman always is very choosy when it comes to the songs he sings. He has sung some iconic songs i his own composition once in a while.
It is a news from close sources of AR Rahman suggest that he has lent his voice recently. It is according to the reliable sources, that AR Rahman has sung a song in Hindi for a movie titled Jugni. The album for this movie is composed by Clinton Cerejo. Clinton Cerejo is a singer who has recently turned composer. Clinton Cerejo has sung some of the hit numbers in Tamil and Hindi languages for AR Rahman and other composers. Some of the movies he lent his voice are Taj Mahal, Alaipayuthey and Boys.
The song sung by AR Rahman for Clinton Cerejo is a long sufi song. Clinton Cerejo has composed the music for the album except the one song that AR Rahman has sung. The song is written and composed by Kashif.
There is also yet another added feather for the hat. That is, Ace composer Vishal Bharadwaj is also to sing for a number in this album. It is definitely an awe to see India’s best composer’s name in the list if the singers.
Friday, 11 December 2015
2015- iTunes Best of the year !
iTunes India has released the best of 2015 in various categories.
Among all Indian albums, AR Rahman’s O Kadhal Kanmani has been selected as the album of the year. Rahman has also been announced as the artist of the year.
The prestigious media library has announced that Hiphop Tamizha's Thani Oruvan as the best Tamil album of 2015. Rajesh Murugesan’s Premam and Devi Sri Prasad’s S/o Sathyamurthi have been selected as the best Malayalam and Telugu albums respectively.
Among bestselling albums, regional works including Rahman’s O Kadhal Kanmani, MM Keeravani’s Baahubali, Harris Jayaraj’s Yennai Arindhaal and Anirudh’s Maari got listed.
iTunes Best of 2015
Best Album – O Kadhal Kanmani
Best Artist – AR Rahman
Best Tamil Album – Thani Oruvan
Best Malayalam Album – Premam
Best Telugu Album –S/o Sathyamurthi
Bestselling Albums – O Kadhal Kanmani, Baahubali, Yennai Arindhaal, Maari
AR Rahman's rendition of Humko Mann ki Shakti is a moving tribute to victims of Mumbai terror attacks
The two time Grammy award winning music maestro AR Rahman posted a video on 26th November, the day when the fateful terror attacks took place in Mumbai.
On his official Facebook wall, he wrote,"On this day, in 2008, humanity was tried, tested and annihilated. This song, written by Gulzar with music by Vasant Desai and sung by me is dedicated to all victims of hate... You are welcome to join me in this prayer..."
The song was originally written for the film Guddi in 1971 by Gulzar and sung by Vani Jairam. The song is still widely sung in schools across India.
His rendition of the classic Hindi song "Hum Ko Man Ki Shakti Dena" is a soul stirring tribute to the people who lost their lives during terror attack. which started on November 26, 2008 and continued till November 29th. Ten Pakistani terrorists pulled of a coordinated terror strike and targeted places like the Taj Mahal Hotel, Chhtrapati Shivaji Terminus and Cafe Leopold.
The attack claimed the lives of 165 people and left several injured. The only terrorist in connection to the attacks, Ajmal Kasab was captured four years after the incident and was hanged on November 21, 2012.
Download Humko Mann Ki Shakti Dena - A.R. Rahman.mp3
AR Rahman echoes Ilaiyaraaja's sentiments about music in schools
MUMBAI: Twenty-five-years ago, A S Dileep Kumar surrounded himself with four keyboards and played tunes that brought him some recognition during his debut appearance on television. Although, over the years, every artist experiences growth as the urge to overcome musical appetite continues, Kumar’s journey gradually turned out to be one of the finest stories ever.
A lot changed for this talented young boy from Madras (now Chennai), the scale of recognition has become global, his projects have gone beyond television and the name became Allah-Rakha Rahman. What remained constant for Rahman throughout the years, apart from his endless love for music, is how he craves to return to his natural habitat-surrounded by keyboards.
The Oscar winner was welcomed with loudest possible cheers by the 15,000 plus attendees, moments before he played his maiden set at the Pune Weekender. Roughly fifteen minutes into his set and the Bacardi arena was filled to capacity with revellers singing along every line at the top of their voices. They were something spectacular, thanks to the keyboard solo that showcased another attribute of Rehaman that makes him a complete musician. The purpose behind the set-list was a trip down the memory lane and the Bollywood tracks that celebrate youth. Be it 'Naadan Parindey', 'O Humdum Soniyo Re' or 'Jo Bhi Main', the fans danced and sang along while some still tried to come to terms with what was unfolding. The highlight of the set, or dare we say the entire Weekender, was what led to the keyboard solo Rahman played - the bassline entry of 'Dil Se'. It was a 'goosebumps moment' as the crowd hummed along while the maestro made his fingers dance over the keyboard.
Rahman bowed down, showing his gratitude to the attendees of the ‘happiest music festival’. The composer was escorted to his vanity van where he met the members of Swarathma - the Bengaluru act that performed before the 'Mozart of Madras’ took over the Bacardi Arena. Rahman looked with interest at Swarathma’s album cover, as he expressed his opinions on how realistically 'original' music was resurfacing in the country. For an on-looker, the tête-à -tête between the musicians seemed like a conversation between equals exchanging ideas though the members of Swarathma mostly stood in silence, allowing Rahman to educate as much as he could during the rendezvous.
Rahman expresses his opinions in a simple, yet effective and genuine way. And something similar that could be said to describe his music –simple and genuine. To sum up his entire Weekender experience, the 49-year-old once again kept it sincere. Calling it "really good", Rahman credited the "happy people and amazing atmosphere" for his first multi-band festival experience. "I am always sceptical about playing in the multi-band scenario because when people come to my live shows, they come with a lot of love. So I was sceptical whether people would like the set or not. But it has been amazing, and it broke all the reservations I had." The hunger that Rahman notices in the youth today makes him optimistic about the future. "It's going to get bigger", Rahman added. Born in Chennai, Rahman was expelled from school due to lack of attendance, but talk about music and the amount of time and focus he devotes in a conversation is noteworthy. Rahman dreams of a time when Indian acts receive global recognition, and believes the country has the potential talent worthy of 'being idolised'.
That he is a musical prodigy is well-known, but Rahman is equally a dedicated preacher of music. Echoing maestro Ilaiyaraaja's sentiments suggesting music should be actively taught in academia, Rahman mentioned how his own school was trying to create a difference. Teaching the underprivileged kids through the institution is a selfless act indeed, and Rahman debated how musicians and their music should be making the news. "We (musicians) are here to create a parallel world, to give hope and love, and that is what we have been doing all our lives," said Rahman reflecting utter modesty through his tone and intent.
Rahman considers himself fortunate to have witnessed some of his favourite musicians play live, the latest one being the John Williams concert in 2014 at the Hollywood Bowl. "A two hour amazing set that also involved some of his film scores", Rahman recounted with excitement in his eyes. Rahman happily recalled some of the concerts he attended - Prince, Sting, Michael Jackson- and does not find any reason why Indian bands cannot showcase their talent on the global stage and attain success there.
Although not a fan of news channels, Rahman has noticed the pattern that consumes the majority of the prime time news for the past 15 years. Floods in Chennai may not have had a direct effect on Rahman's activities, but the calamity evidently occupied his thoughts. "It was challenging to entertain festival-goers in Bengaluru and Pune with the Chennai floods in mind. The courage shown by people in Chennai is incredible. It's a reminder, and we need to rediscover Chennai and reconstruct it from scratch. The recent doubts about divisiveness were demolished by the unity portrayed, and Chennai showed that at the end of the day we all are humans."
Thanking the fans for the support, Rahman asked them to avoid vices revolving music. "Support musicians, look up to them, and not look down upon." Rahman extended advice to fellow musicians, asking them to maintain this profession as the most respected and beautiful one.
Friday, 13 November 2015
An Incredible Story From Inside A R Rahman's Studio
A R Rahman and Madhan Karky are currently working together in Suriya's 24. Image courtesy: iflickz.com
Just a mention of AR Rahman's name is enough to light up the face of lyricist Madhan Karky. They are currently working together in Suriya's 24. Madhan Karky recalls a fascinating moment from one of their jamming sessions. "One day, A R Rahman was trying out a tune on his piano and I was jotting down the lyrics while listening to him. I had written a line in Tamil - Undhan azhagil iraivanai kaankiraen (In your beauty, I see God). When I read this, Rahman was totally overwhelmed."
He adds, "Apparently, AR Rahman reads poetry for inspiration before composing tunes and on that particular day, he had read the same line from the Prophetic Books before composing that track. He was extremely excited on finding out that I had coined that very line and then, we had a lengthy discussion about how thoughts translate into music and music translates back into words."
Eventually, the song had to be dropped from that movie but they have now slightly reworked it to suit Suriya's 24.
A SPECIAL CONVERSATION WITH A. R. RAHMAN ON ALL THINGS MUSIC!
Over 30 Million followers on social media, and a name synonymous with music that has topped charts consistently since 1992, in India, and subsequently, the world over, AR Rahman has captured the hearts of Billions. Before he reaches half a century in age, he has made his life is his message, and his following often call themselves “Rahmaniacs” or “Rahmantics”.
ARR, as he’s known fondly to many, wields double Grammy awards, double Academy awards, a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, on top of the numerous Indian equivalents of these prestigious awards, as well multiple honorary doctorates from top music colleges like Trinity and Berklee, all a part of his rather overwhelming legacy.
Married for 20 years, with 3 talented kids, he is a family man, while also being a father of sorts, to musicians across the globe, as well as to his own KM Music Conservatory student body, which produces many working musicians today. His philanthropic initiatives are aplenty, from “The Sunshine Orchestra” in Chennai, to many other projects that he keeps to himself, but donates to. Humility is his middle name, and those who know him will testify that he has hardly changed, over the course of his success.
Traversing a life between his home in Tamil Nadu, metropolitan Mumbai, and Los Angeles, the heart of Hollywood, and sometimes, London, he works while jet-setting, in fact, he works all the time! A man of deep spirituality, his message is one of love, one where boundaries are broken, the way only his music can conjure. He attributes his many accolades to this phrase, described neatly, in his mother-tongue, Tamil: “Ella Pughazhum Iraivanukke”, which means “All glory goes to God alone.”
This softly spoken man of few words, who began working as a child artiste, shared his insights with Ashanti Omkar (AO), exclusively for The O2. This interview by the amazing Ashanti Omkar was published in full, in the AR RAHMAN GREAT HITS SHOW BROCHURE, by THE O2, London, in Summer 2015 and Ashanti has given us have some exclusive highlights.
AO: As a child, music was always around you, due to the influence of your stalwart father, RK Shekhar, and you began tinkering with the harmonium, the Indian equivalent of a piano, in many ways, aged just 3… Did you imagine, when you were a young child, facing hardships, and working for a living, being in bands, and being a session musician, that you would play the greatest stages of the world, as a touring artist?
ARR: Did I imagine? No (chuckles). I was mostly in cover bands in Madras, but this was not something I even though of, until my spiritual teacher told my mother that both of us will be going all over the world. He predicted this, around 1987. I was actually in a mind zone of not being normal – my mind was going through a phase of detachment, after knowing that being too attached could bring disappointment. I couldn’t handle disappointments and adulation back then.
AO: What would you consider as some of your great hits, given that this one off London date, at the prestigious O2 Arena is focused on this aspect of your illustrious career, with your music traversing numerous languages.
ARR:There are so many songs we could do, but then we focused on some songs from the intimate tour, which we did successfully in America. It’s very difficult to pin down songs, but we picked things that would be very playable on stage, working with nostalgia, and a some surprise elements. Musically having fun, rather than having too much (laughs) planned stuff. Last time, we had a contortionist, stages being built, but this is more towards the music. That’s what people want to see. The artist’s flesh and blood, him performing the songs, the musicality and the love. When they buy tickets, it’s about interacting with them. Each phase of my life, I go through something in my mind, and right now, this is what I feel I should be doing (smiles).
AO: Your music started off with a Pan-Indian bang, with the multiple award winning, TIME magazine’s 10 best soundtrack listed Roja by Mani Ratnam, when you were in your early 20s. You are now a global brand. What would you say is the secret to your compositions truly crossing borders, in a way only music can?ARR: I think it’s got to do with what’s going on in my mind, and in a way, my vision of humanity. I feel like we’re all connected. Right now, there are so many borders being created. Lots of things, racism surfacing slowly. When I started music, it was about giving something which unites people. It could be art, music, an orchestra, poetry. These are the things that surpass boundaries. In a way, I think this was subliminally there, inherently, when I was making music. I didn’t care or bother about languages, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, I just thought about it as a product. We were fans of many many Western artistes those days, even African artistes like Osibisa (British Afro Pop of the late 60s). It gave us immense joy listening into another culture, so why not vice versa, is what I thought.
AO: Music for you, is a spiritual thing, spreading your philanthropic Sufi message of love over hate, as you uttered on the Oscar awards podium, while winning. Tell us about how you have seen your music transforming lives.
ARR: We have to become that. I have to become that. Not only in music, but in personal life. Which is so difficult. Even handling your family, your kids, your staff, everything. At the same time, having a challenging role of producing something passionately, delivering things, working creatively, and meeting expectations, which can be a different thing, totally.
AO: London, as a place, holds many memories for you, indubitably, from residing in Covent Garden and working on the uber-successful West End show, Bombay Dreams, with Andrew Lloyd Webber, to working with Danny Boyle for the multiple award winning Slumdog Millionaire in Camden Town. Share some of the moments that will stay with you for life.
ARR: Yes. Working in the Palace Theatre (Shaftesbury Ave), on the 3rd floor, where Andrew (Lloyd Webber) gave me a room, where I composed “Journey Home” and “How many stars” and all these songs. Walking back to his Really Useful Group flat, via Charing Cross Road, which he kindly gave me to stay in, that is definitely going to be in my mind forever. It is a place of history and it opened up a lot of things in my. My appreciation for art, came in more strongly. I was telling someone the other day, about when I was working with MF Husain on “Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities”, such a great painter. I knew him as a famous painter and he gave me a painting. Back then, I was wondering why this man was giving me a painting instead of money (laughs). Now I have it hanging in my house, on the front wall, and it’s so beautiful. We discover many things, all of us, at every stage. Things open up, and we see the value.AO: Royal Greenwich, where The O2 is based, is a place close to your heart, as you got your Trinity certification as a child, across the miles from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, and the circle reopened, when you were made an honorary fellow in 2009, one of 6 such accolades at universities across the world, including Berkelee. Tell us about your visit to Trinity College London, and your memories of this musical place.
ARR: Trinity College gave that great honour, it was really really beautiful, and The O2 is another iconic place, I would say. I’ve watched concerts there, and if (Michael) Jackson would have been alive, I would have definitely watched him there. I’m very very excited to be back.
AO: How does it feel to be back at The O2, especially as you have a friendship with the late, great Michael Jackson, who was to perform at this arena with his ‘This is it’ tour – you had met with him during that period, and planned on collaborating?
ARR: Correct. At the time, he was getting ready for rehearsals when I met him, and he told me about going for rehearsals. I wanted to meet him if I won the Oscar, and after winning, that night, I sent my agent an email, and said I’d love to meet. Michael opened the door, it was surreal, there was an aria playing in the background. We were supposed to talk for an hour, but we ended up chatting for two hours. My wife and family was waiting, so I had to go back. He spoke about my chords on Jai Ho. I was working on Endhiran (Robot) shortly after, and the director, Shankar, asked me to do a song with him, I called, and he said yes. I was naturally stunned. We met again, we went back to his little studio next to the pool, all these sweet things happened. Unfortunately, in 2 to 3 weeks after, was his untimely demise. It was one of the most beautiful meetings.
ARR: Correct. At the time, he was getting ready for rehearsals when I met him, and he told me about going for rehearsals. I wanted to meet him if I won the Oscar, and after winning, that night, I sent my agent an email, and said I’d love to meet. Michael opened the door, it was surreal, there was an aria playing in the background. We were supposed to talk for an hour, but we ended up chatting for two hours. My wife and family was waiting, so I had to go back. He spoke about my chords on Jai Ho. I was working on Endhiran (Robot) shortly after, and the director, Shankar, asked me to do a song with him, I called, and he said yes. I was naturally stunned. We met again, we went back to his little studio next to the pool, all these sweet things happened. Unfortunately, in 2 to 3 weeks after, was his untimely demise. It was one of the most beautiful meetings.
AO: Your repertoire has always included multiple layers of real instruments, as well as your leveraging cutting edge sound libraries, and technology, to give it a magical quality, that many will say gives them a new experience upon every hearing of certain songs. What do you attribute as your inspiration, for creating this soundscape, that changed the face of Indian cinema music?
ARR: Coming from Chennai, I was so used to seeing composers finishing a song in 7 hours, with a whole orchestra. I used to hear about Western records, and people taking 2 years to do an album, and I’d wonder what was taking them so long. Then I explored what was in that, and not in this. It’s 2 ways of working. One is to sculpt something inch by inch, and make it so much yours, it would be inimitable. Put things in till you’re satisfied, and it becomes something wholesome.
AO: AR Rahman, the singer – you have mesmerized the world with haunting vocals in songs like “Dil Se Re” from Dil Se, and “Naan en” on MTV’s Coke Studio. Film directors and producers often ask you to sing on scores too. How do you embrace this facet of your music making, and how do you hone your voice to make the songs you sing, so soulful?
ARR: Singing happened accidentally. I was teaching a singer, and one day, I was listening to one of the rough recordings, and I was surprised that it was me singing (smiles). Then Mani Ratnam was one of those who really pushed me to do vocals, then Shankar then Bharat Bala, when he wanted to do the album Vande Mataram. I actually had to sing all the songs myself, in that. I actually wish that I’d given a little more practice time for singing (laughs).
AO: You have a plethora upcoming of work, from Hollywood to Bollywood, as well as South Indian cinema. Tell us what we will be expecting from you in the future.
ARR: Aamir Khan’s production, actor Suriya’s production, “24”, the “Virgin produced India” movie from Anil Kapoor and Rhea Kapoor’s film company. My own movie in India, “99 songs”, which is so challenging. All simultaneously, it’s full time work (smiles). Pelé is going to release in 2016, timed for the Olympics, it’s one movie which I really love, especially Pelé, the character, and how it’s being done. And Majid Majidi’s Iranian movie, Muhammad.
Most recently, the music director’s incredible work on Imtiaz Ali’s Tamasha has released.
Thank you to Ashanti Omkar and Mr. Rahman.
Ashanti Omkar spoke to AR Rahman, exclusively, in January 2015, for the BBC – you can listen-back to this in-depth chat here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02g8x73
Listen to the Ashanti Omkar Show every Sunday on DAB digital radio, nationwide in the UK, on BBC Asian Network, from 2-4pm, on the BBC iPlayer, and online, worldwide.
Episodes & Interview Clips: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04mv017
You can also listen to Ashanti Omkar on BBC London 94.9FM & BBC West Midlands 95.6FM, talking Bollywood and Indian cinema
Nisha Rawal covers A.R. Rahman song for fundraiser
Television actress and model Nisha Rawal has recorded a cover version of Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman’s popular track “Choti si asha”, which will be released on the eve of Children’s Day to raise funds for under privileged children.
The video for “Choti si asha” is shot with children from The Vatsalya Foundation, which has been running shelters for underprivileged children for over three decades.
“These children have so much positive energy and determination, a little bit of push would really help them to dream bigger and set goals, not getting limited to thinking that they are helpless. The day of shoot has been memorable not only for these kids but for every member present in the unit,” Nisha said in a statement.
Thanking Rahman for letting her use his song, she said that she came up with a holistic approach to feature children in her video, which instills a sense of pride and confidence in them and also creates a connect with potential donors and philanthropists.
The video is directed by Nisha’s husband, Karan Mehra, a leading face on Indian television.
Nisha has just made a career progression with music, early this year with vocal training under a renowned teacher.
She had been contemplating diversification for a while when her friends and hit musical duo Meet Brothers of “Baby doll” fame encouraged her to take up music as a vocation.
As a singer, her first cover was “Tu bin bataye” from the film “Rang De Basanti”, juxtaposed with covers of Coldplay’s “Yellow” and John Lennon’s “Imagine”.
Thursday, 8 October 2015
AR Rahman to receive Hridaynath Mangeshkar Award on October 26
Academy Award-winning music composer AR Rahman will be honoured with the Hridaynath Mangeshkar Award in Mumbai on October 26.
The fifth Hridaynath Award will be conferred on Rahman by veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai on the birth anniversary of Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar, the late younger brother of legendary playback singers Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle.
The first Hridaynath award was given to Lata. Asha, megastar Amitabh Bachchan and actress Sulochana Tai have also been its recipients. Megastar Amitabh Bachchan was feted with the fourth such honour and last year it was presented to legendary actress Sulochana Tai.
In 2009, 48-year-old Rahman won the Oscar award for Best Original Score and Best Original Song, sharing with lyricist Gulzar, for his work in Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire. The singer-composer has also won four National Awards in a career spanning over two decades.
AR Rahman composes a signature tune for Mumbai Film Festival
Oscar-winning music director AR Rahman has extended his support to the 17th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival by composing a special signature tune for it.
A statement issued by AR Rahman said, “The 17th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival is about creating, celebrating and nurturing cinema. I am very pleased to support the festival. I hope the people of Mumbai and India come and partake in this incredible movie feast.”
The festival director is Anupama Chopraand she said that they were honoured to have Rahman as part of the film festival. In a statement to made to the press, she said, “Movies and music are inseparable in India. We are grateful for his generosity and support. We are also grateful to all the work put in by Vikramaditya Motwane and his team, and all the talent that made time for Jio MAMI.”
The signature tune will be used for the promotional film that they are making. This film will feature many prominent film people including Kiran Rao, Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Farhan Akhtar, Kangana Ranaut and Nimrat Kaur. It will be directed by Vikramaditya Motwane. The MAMI film festival is from October 29 to November 5.
AR Rahman to Join Pele During Kolkata Tour
Kolkata: Brazilian football great Pele will be joined by Academy and Grammy award-winning Indian musician AR Rahman during his three-day sojourn in Kolkata, organisers said here on Thursday.
The Mozart of Madras, who's composing music for the three-time World Cup winner's biopic 'Pele: Birth of a Legend', has confirmed that he would join him in the 'Legend's Tour of India', Satadru Dutta, chief strategist of Multicon Group who are one of the organisers said.
Rahman will join Pele, former India captain Sourav Ganguly and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee in the Legends Night to be held at Netaji Indoor Stadium on October 12 and also be part of the programmes lined up in the next day.
"Rahman showed keen interest to meet Pele on the sidelines of his visit to Kolkata. He may be discussing about the upcoming biopic. Rahman will also be singing the happy birthday jingle ahead of his birthday on October 23. We're all looking forward to it," Dutta said. (Pele Likely to Meet Ganguly and Tendulkar)
Pele is scheduled to arrive on October 11 morning and will conclude his sojourn two days later by being the guest of honour at ISL defending champions Atletico de Kolkata's first home outing which is against Kerala Blasters FC.
A R Rahman has created magic with Tamasha songs: Mohit Chauhan
Singer Mohit Chauhan, who has sung a song for “Tamasha”, says Oscar winning composer A.R. Rahman has lent his Midas touch to the music album of the Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone starrer. ”I have sung a song in ‘Tamasha’. It’s a beautiful song and he (Rahman) has created magic in the songs of the film, as he does every time,” Mohit said on the sidelines of a song recording for the film “Once Upon A Time In Bihar”.
Chauhan, whose first brush with success came with the song “Dooba Dooba” from the band Silk Route’s album “Boondein”, became the voice of Ranbir’s character in “Rockstar”, which was helmed by Imtiaz Ali, who’s also directing “Tamasha”. Rahman was also the common link in “Rockstar”. But Chauhan says “Rockstar” was a different story.
“It was a narration of a singer’s life, so it had to be one voice. But in ‘Tamasha’, I have only one song. I hope when song of ‘Tamasha’ will come, audience will like it,” he said.
Tuesday, 6 October 2015
Saturday, 15 August 2015
A R Rahman beats Justin Timberlake and Ricky Martin – here’s how!
He makes us proud yet again!
Music publication Pollstar took a look at the top 100 grossing artistes of 2015 (based on their individual tours) and ranked them. The list takes into account money earned from production, ticket sales, and also takes into account number of cities visited in the US and worldwide.
Their mid-year Top 100 ranking for North American tours has The Rolling Stones topping the list, with the likes of Fleetwood Mac, U2, Maroon 5, Neil Diamond, Taylor Swift and Elton John in the Top 10 tier. And while several country music stars populate the chart, it is surprising to find one Indian name feature on this list.
AR Rahman comes in at number 82, grossing $4.5 million between January 1 to June 30 this year, after playing at 16 shows in 14 cities. He’s ranked higher on the list than the likes of Justin Timberlake, Rod Stewart, Rascal Flatts, Marc Antony, Steve Aoki and Ricky Martin. Now that’s something to be proud of!
Renault India’s new track composed by A R Rahman
Popular music director, A R Rahman has composed a new track for Renault India for their upcoming TV commercial featuring Bollywood heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor
Renault India is set to make a strong impact in the Indian passenger car market as it completes four years in the contry. Come September 2015, the company will be launching the much anticipated Renault Kwid, which is hoping to shake off competition like the Maruti Alto and Hyundai Eon. And recently, actor Ranbir Kapoor was appointed as the brand ambassador for Renault in India.
Now, Renault India has roped in world renowned music composer & Grammy Award winner A R Rahman to compose a new sound track called “Re Re Re Raftaar”, for the company’s new TV commercial for the company's four year celebration in India. The company hopes this trilogy of Renault, Ranbir and Rahman will help it connect with Indian car buyers.
Speaking about the association with Renault India, A R Rahman said that the brief was to keep the new sound track simple and catchy, and appealing right from the very first listening... The music composer added that then he forgot about all the briefing and did the track!
The TVC will go on air soon, but Rahman’s Re Re Re Raftaar is available online on Renault India’s Facebook page and on Youtube. The song has a groovy tune and in Rahman's own words is “clutter breaking” and reaches across to the people.
Precisely what the new Renault Kwid aims to offer, with its Rs 3-4 lakh pricing, quality interior and optimum space in the car.
How A R Rahman brought Bollywood soundtracks to the Western world
With record sales of more than 200 million albums worldwide, A R Rahman has composed the soundtracks for over 100 Indian films and is credited with more or less single-handedly revolutionising Indian film music.
On August 15 Rahman will be performing a one-off “Greatest Hits” showat The O2 arena in London. He has brought Bollywood music to the Western world, with a style that is both new and familiar at the same time.
The son of a film music composer and conductor in the Tamil and Malayalan film music industries, Allah-Rakha Rahman got his big break as a music director doing the songs and background score for the Tamil film Roja. In India, film music reigns supreme, and Rahman’s soundtrack took the country by storm.
Bollywood on tour
India has produced many giants of film music. But the key difference with Rahman, compared to earlier star music directors such as Naushad, Shankar-Jaikishen, R D Burman or Ilaiyaraaja, is the level of international acclaim he has gained. It is Rahman’s conquering of the Western world that makes him so remarkable.
By the 1950s, Indian cinematic music had a dominant influence from the Malay world to Greece, Russia, and the Middle East. In the West, however, Hollywood held sway, and Indian cinema, with its melodrama and song and dance interludes, was typically seen simply as bad.
The new sounds and style Rahman created changed the image of Indian film music in the West. His albums broke through into Western charts in the late 1990s and he has since engaged in a range of high profile collaborations in the West.
His most famous work of late has been his soundtrack for Danny Boyle’s 2009 film Slumdog Millionaire, which added two Oscars, a BAFTA, a Golden Globe Award and two Grammy Awards to his already dizzying array of awards back home in India. As an Indian music star in the West, he has only been rivalled by the likes of Ravi Shankar.
New fusions
Rahman’s acclaim is largely down to his use of fusion. East-West fusion is hardly new in Indian film music – by the 1950s, film songs sported extraordinary mixtures of Indian classical and folk music elements, large Western or Hollywood style orchestras with added Indian instruments, and global pop styles from the West and Latin America. Yet Rahman’s fusion marks a distinct break with earlier film music.
He is particularly known for his use of lush string sounds, often married with computer-generated bass. Overall, his timbres are more mellifluous and soft compared to the older film music, where treble frequencies dominated. New recording technologies have allowed Rahman to create a layered and expansive soundscape, contrasting with earlier film music where the orchestras were recorded in unison or near unison, the sound more of a block.
In older film music, Indian and western instruments and styles were orchestrated into a whole, a close amalgamation. The violins, for example, hardly sounded like those in a Western orchestra, or the sitars like those in actual Indian classical music. This is part of the reason why the older film songs were seen in negative terms by Western critics as kitsch. But in Rahman’s music, the characteristic style and sound of diverse instruments and genres is distinctly heard, and often showcased.
In the song Hai Rama from the film Rangeela (1995), for example, he opens and ends the song with the sound of the tambura, the drone instrument used to accompany Indian classical music. The song also incorporates South Indian and other percussion, strings, bass, and a virtuosic flute solo that manages to be Indian classical, beat box and slightly jazzy all at once.
In other songs Rahman uses Sufi singing, or the harmonium (played as in North Indian classical or light classical music), or background chants in regional Indian languages, and an assortment of other Indian styles and instruments. His music appeals to the “world music” and “world beat” sensibility that is growing in popularity in the West.
At the same time, Rahman incorporates a solid basis of mainstream Western pop, rock and jazz styles (even just through a prominent bass groove). He uses a range of singers and vocal timbres, avoiding the idealised, high-pitched female vocal sound. For these reasons, Rahman’s music appeals to western ears more than older film music, and also to the upper end of Indian middle class society.
Earlier film music has been seen as the epitome of sophistication, modernity and innovation in India and much of the non-Western world. But Rahman is the first composer who has managed to make this music appeal on a global scale that includes the west. As such, his music is iconic of the economically booming and increasingly powerful India.
Slumdog's Rahman In London For Independence Day
Double Oscar winner AR Rahman says his decision to play a greatest hits concert in London on Indian Independence Day was due to the shared history between the two countries.
He said it was important to move forward from the colonial past and instead share positives like "knowledge, wisdom, love and music".
Rahman's career, spanning 23 years, has seen him compose 100 soundtracks, sell 200 million albums and appear on Time Magazine's most influential people list.
His soundtrack to Danny Boyle's 2009 film Slumdog Millionaire earned him two Oscars, a BAFTA, a Golden Globe Award and two Grammys.
Describing how difficult it would be to narrow his music down into one night, he said: "It's a tough thing to do but I go with my instinct. Certain songs become iconic and part of the history of people's lives."
His fusion of eastern and western musical styles revolutionised the Indian film industry and thrust him onto the international stage.
"Music should be for all. I love western music, I love eastern music and I wanted my music to have the same philosophy. There's so many things we can share and it all requires connecting with small steps."
Sunday, 5 July 2015
Aamir Khan teams up with A R Rahman for next home production
Superstar Aamir Khan is collaborating with Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman for his next production.
The yet untitled film is directed by debutante director Advait Chauhan.
Rahman, 48, who has earlier composed music for “Lagaan”, “Mangal Pandey: The Rising” and “Rang De Basanti”, took to Twitter to share the news.
“Catching up with Aamir Khan and Kiran for their next production directed by Advait Chandan,” he posted on Facebook along with a picture.
Apart from the music, the team is currently busy casting for the film and looking for actors who fit each part.
The film, which is currently in the pre production stage, will go on floors soon but details are still being kept under wraps about its plot.
The last film under Aamir’s production was “Talaash: The Answer Lies Within”, a neo-noir psychological thriller that released in 2012.
I feel Ive got much more than I deserve - A R Rahman
The music nomad A R Rahman who straddles three continents, is now a bit
more settled. In a candid interview with Subhash K Jha, Rahman speaks on
his musical journey so far and the exciting new things that are happening in his life.
Are you now spending more time in Chennai?
My family has forced me to cut down on travel. 2014 was horrible. I had to be all over the place. There was so much happening at home, and a lot more internationally. I am taking it easy this year. I am doing Mani Ratnamji's film which keeps me close to home in Chennai. But I've an international concert tour happening in May. I can do the music from Chennai. But when there's a live event like a concert or the Grammys, I've to travel. Otherwise I've cut down on my travel drastically.
How has life been treating you this year?
Good good! I am now spending more time at home in Chennai. We launched our musical band which will play live all over the world. This is part of our initiative to find interesting jobs for the very talented students from my music school, and for young musicians who are not part of my school.
How participative are you in the activities of the music band?
The songs, vision and execution on stage are all mine. But I won't be on stage with them. They will start their journey with cover versions of Michael Jackson and my songs but then they'd be giving them in their own interpretation. Let me tell you, the students in the band play very complicated harmonies. They've been trained for nearly a year and a half. It's a very professional band.
Your music school was your dream. Now that it's a reality how much time are you able to give to it?
My sister is running the school. I am not part of it on a day-to-day basis. But otherwise I am constantly in touch with them on email; through phone...I am in touch with the school from all over the world.
You are constantly finding ways to share your talent experience and wealth with people less privileged than you?
When you have accumulated knowledge and some influence, you want to share it. At age 20, I was another person. At 30, I had evolved a bit more. At 40-plus I've a lot more to share. And that's what I am doing.
At 48, do you feel satisfied with what you've achieved?
I feel I've got much more than I deserve. I am very grateful to God. When you look at other lives, some very talented but not so successful, you feel grateful for what God has given you. I've family, friends and fans. What more could I hope for?
Has the fan profile changed over the years?
One has to constantly re-invent the sound and the style. The audience that heard my music 15 years ago in Taal or Hindustani is not the same today. Change is specially a must on stage. You have to innovate on stage. Otherwise you just become a visual avatar of the radio. There is no end to how much one can evolve as an artiste. Individually I may feel satisfied. But if I can excel along with my team it's a different high.
The guru-shishya parampara has been very important for you?
It's not just about me passing on my knowledge. It's that whole give and take of knowledge. I saw a very good film on this theme Whiplash.
I feel Ive got much more than I deserve - A R Rahman
Whiplash was about a tyrannical guru. You are such gentle soul. Isn't there a fun side of you?
What do you mean? (Laughs). I've all the fun in my music only. That's my playground and the place where I can be who I want. When one's passion becomes the profession and then that in turn becomes your obsession you are obviously blessed beyond belief.
What do you feel about present day Bollywood composers?
I think it's time of great musical discovery. There is a lot of innovation. There's a lot more embracing of diversity
.
And how much of the credit for this do you give yourself?
I don't know if I played any hand. But musicians and the audience today have a much wider creative exposure than they did in earlier times. When you play something innovative the audience and listeners are receptive. Civilization is more open to new ideas.
You've done monumental work with Ashutosh Gowariker in the past. How is it working with him again in Mohenjo Daro?
He inspires me. The first thing he told me is that this time he would be shooting a film that would be no more than two hours long (Gowariker's films are known to stretch beyond 3 hours). There are just 4-5 songs in the film.
And Mani Ratnam's film?
It's a young film a love story with 9 songs. Whatever the score, I go to the core. The songs have to come from the theme and plot. It's never about what I'd like to do. It's what comes naturally from within the film.
Tell me about your international projects?
There is a film Pele on the life of the footballer. Then there is Majid Majidi's Muhammad.
Your output has increased over the years?
I think I am more confident about deadlines. I realize some things have to be done within a time frame. But I prefer to work without schedules and limitations.
Where do you stand in your own creative vision?
I've yet a long way to go. I am constantly learning and evolving. I am currently most excited by my music orchestra for the underprivileged. It's called 'The Sunshine Orchestra'. You'll be surprised at how naturally talented they are. These poor children had never heard of Beethoven and Bach. Today they play the music of these greats.
How did you react to the documentary on you Mozart from Madras?
I was terrified to watch it. I am embarrassed to talk about myself. But when finally I saw people like Danny Boyle and Mani Ratnam talk about what it was like to work with me I was hooked. They actually made me seem likeable (giggles). It could have gone the other way. Cinema could be very manipulative.
Your humility and simplicity are intact?
I think South Indian artistes are born with those qualities.
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