Monday, 30 March 2015

AR Rahman's 'Infinite Love' features in UN's 'World's happiest playlist'

The "World's happiest playlist" was recently unveiled by the Secretary-General of the United Nations for the International Day of Happiness with Stevie Wonder anthem.
Ed Sheeran, James Blunt, David Guetta and John Legend were among the musicians and actors who contributed to the UN's official feel-good selection, designed to spread cheer among listeners and raise awareness of the International Day of Happiness, the Independent reported.
Ki-moon, the UN secretary general, led the way with his nomination for 'Signed Sealed Delivered' by Stevie Wonder, himself a UN messenger of peace, who advocates on behalf of people with disabilities.
Sheeran chose the female liberation anthem 'Independent Woman' by Destiny's Child, whilst Blunt, whose music brings both happiness and misery to many, offered 'We Are Young' by Fun, a song he said "celebrates the moment."
'Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah' by James Baskett was included at the request of actor Michael Douglas, who said it "always makes him smile, especially during the muddy season."
The UN urged supporters to join the "Global Happy Party" by uploading photos and tweets under hashtags HappySoundsLike, happyday and happyplanet. However some cynics used to the hashtags to suggest that a sunny playlist alone was insufficient to effect meaningful global change.
The playlist also includes; 'Infinite Love' by A R Rahman, Britney Spears – Kiss by Prince, Charlize Theron - Every Teardrop is a Waterfall by Coldplay, David Guetta – Imagine by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Nicole Sherzinger - Three Little Birds by Bob Marley among others.
You can listen to the playlist on http://www.happysoundslike.com

Jonita Gandhi talks about upcoming venture with AR Rahman and acting




Popular Indo – Canadian YouTube artist, Jonita Gandhi, will soon be seen performing at the highly anticipated YouTube Fan Fest, to be held in Mumbai for the second year on 20 March. From garnering praise and appreciation from ‘Mozart of Madras’ - AR Rahman to earning her debut playback singing stint with Vishal Shekhar for the title track of ‘Chennai Express’, Gandhi has come a long way.
In a conversation with Radioandmusic.com, Gandhi speaks about her fun filled collaboration with the Aakash Gandhi and Bryden and Part, musical journey and more. 

How does it feel to be part of the You Tube Fan Fest for the 2nd consecutive year?
It feels great to be able to connect with my fans at YouTube Fan Fest once again this year. Seeing and hearing the excitement in the audience is so thrilling. I am looking forward to performing along with the really amazing artists in this year’s line up! I have been getting an overwhelming response to the contests that I have been running to give out free passes, and I am super excited for the show.

What has changed over the past one year?
This past year has been unbelievable! I have had a lot of great opportunities and experiences over the last year, but one of the biggest achievements for me has been putting my own band together, here in India. I have had a few Bollywood playback songs release since last year’s Fan Fest performance, including ‘Maloom’ and ‘Tassali’ from the movie ‘Lekar Hum Deewana Dil’, and ‘Dil Chaspiya’ from ‘Kochadaiyaan’. I also had two solo songs ‘Aabhi Jaa’ and ‘Geet Gaaon’ released on AR Rahman Sir’s independent album ‘Raunaq’. In addition to performing with Sonuji regularly around the world, I have had the great pleasure of performing with AR Rahman Sir, Salim-Sulaiman, and Amit Trivedi

How is 2015 shaping up for you?
2015 has been a blast so far! It has been performance after performance for me and I have had many great opportunities come my way as well. There is a lot coming out soon, and I cannot wait to see what the rest of the year has in store.

Where do we see Jonita going next?
I like to take things one step at a time and enjoy each phase of life as it comes. I hope to keep pushing forward and growing with my career and look forward to great opportunities to come. 

Any offers on playback singing?
I have a couple tracks from films coming out in the near future, including Rahman Sir's latest venture with Mani Ratnam Sir, ‘OK Kanmani’.

Do you have any Bollywood acting plans?
I think acting would be fun! Back in Toronto I had a great time acting as the lead in a Bollywood dance musical.  Although I am quite focussed on my music career, I also enjoy the taste of acting that I get from my music videos. So who knows? If the opportunity knocks at my door, why not?

When not recording, what do you do?
Although I spend a lot of time rehearsing and prepping for shows, recordings and video shoots, I enjoy my down time as much as anyone else. Sometimes I just like to catch up on sleep since that is the biggest challenge of travelling frequently. Not just sleep, but catching up on regular daily life chores is also something I feel like I run out of time for. But otherwise, I like hanging out with my friends and doing the normal hang-out things like movies, dinners, comedy shows and all. 

AR Rahman launches his new band NAFS

ALegendary music composer and co-founder of the multi-channel network, Qyuki, AR Rahman introduced his new band NAFS at an award ceremony recently. Instituted by Rahman, the band NAFS is an inventive initiative to promote Indian talent internationally.

Rahman, the multiple Academy and Grammy Award winner introduced NAFS during the event. With A Capella influences and a distinct throbbing vocal rhythm and live bass, this band is indeed the sound of the future. Award winning music director, arranger and conductor Arjun Chandy of the Dallas Choir was specially commissioned to groom the young band and fine-tune them to match International standards.

'I made a mistake by doing too many films last year'

 With Mani Ratnam, there are many-layered feelings, according to the maestro.

A.R. Rahman talks about his trendsetting musical journey, his forays into other areas of filmmaking and the inexorable charm of being himself

Allah Rakha Rahman is relaxed, worried and anxious — all at the same time.
As a composer, he’s happy; his Mental Manadhil from O Kadhal Kanmani (OKK) is doing well and the rest of the album will be out on April 1. As a son, he’s concerned; his mother took ill recently and is still recuperating. As a producer, he’s eager; things are neatly falling into place with his first project.
When I catch up with him on Thursday evening at his Kodambakkam studio, a few hours after India has lost to Australia in the cricket World Cup, he’s a picture of poise. In an hour-long interview, the musician — clad in a simple brown kurta and jeans — opens up on upcoming releases, working for the famed Iranian director Majid Majidi, his relationship with Ilaiyaraaja and life so far. 

Your latest release, Mental Manadhil, which you’ve written, composed and sung is almost a sensation. How does it feel?
It’s supposed to be a light-hearted song. Lyricist Vairamuthu was off on a holiday and Mani wanted a song immediately. The two of us had already written Endrendrum Punnagai in Alaipayuthe and so, we plunged into that zone again. 

What is it about Mani Ratnam that brings out the best in you?
With him, there are many-layered feelings. He introduced me to films, as you all know, but now, the three of us — Mani, Vairamuthu and me — have become a brand. Even if we want to be complacent, we cannot because of people’s expectations. It works like a trigger. We have done our bit in the last few years, but because people expect so much, we want to give them what they we want. 

I was told that the three of you even have serious disagreements during composing sessions. Elaborate on that with respect to OKK…
I don’t like certain things. Sometimes, you have to compromise words for the sound — the sound is very important, it de-clutters from the words. People don’t have as much bandwidth as before; we have to catch their attention immediately.
In one of the songs in OKK (Naane Varuvaen), we had an antara that was beautiful but had very complicated words. So, instead of that, we came up with repetitive lyrics. The word (chinnanchiru) repeats itself again and again. It’s like the formula used in traditional performing arts. Take thumris, for example. They have the same thing again and again…. because the tunes get complicated, the words cannot. In songs like Yaad Piya and More Sajni, we keep hearing the same line because it’s easier for the mind to concentrate. 

You’re writing a screenplay, producing a Hindi film. Why are you branching out into areas other than music?
I want to see if my growth as an artiste can fill the void that I feel is missing in India. Mostly, our industry is driven by what’s going to click commercially. When something clicks, it is replicated. Very few people do it for the art. I do not want to be both — I want to find that balance between what people like and the lost flavour in our music. I’ve been working on it for four years to see if we’ve covered it in all aspects. 

How disappointed are you when your films don’t do as well as expected? We had Kaaviya Thalaivan and Lingaa last year.
See, I made a mistake by doing too many films. I should have said no to some of them. As a team, our backs were broken. There was intense pressure, sleepless nights — I feel it’s just not worth anymore. Life has given me something that what I’m drawn to like naturally… when you’re overworked with too many demands and deadlines, it’s not a good thing. 

So, you’re admitting that Lingaa was one of them?
We had to finish things fast to match the film’s release on Superstar’s birthday. People know exactly what happened with respect to that film. We had to deliver in three languages — Tamil, Telugu and Hindi — check the sound mixes, do the background score and everything. Simultaneously, I was also doing Kaaviya Thalaivan. It all happened came at once… it was so unfortunate.

There are a group of people who feel say your music now isn’t as good as it was in the 90s.
I am flattered; at least they like something of me! (laughs

When you hear such comments, what goes through your mind?
As a creative person, I have to move on. There are fans for what I did then, and there are fans for what I’m doing now. You cannot go to a yesteryear actress and say, ‘I don’t like you anymore’, can you? 

You worked with Vasanthabalan recently. You’re working with Vikram Kumar this year. Why are you going for newer combinations while you can safely opt for time-tested ones?
After a while, we take some people for granted. This is a good and a bad thing. With people like Mani or Ashutosh Gowarikar or Shankar, it’s never a bad thing because they present new challenges and anyway do movies once in two years. New directors give me the option of discovering something afresh. 

What’s the status on Muhammad, your Iranian film, and why did you take that up?
It’s still a work in progress because the movie needs to be edited. I’ve been a big fan of Iranian films, especially Majid Majidi’s. Suddenly, one day, Imtiaz Ali called me to say that UTV got a message from Majidi that he wanted me for his project. I was like, ‘Wow’. It will be one of the most ambitious in the history of cinema. 

But it wouldn’t have been easy.
His expectations were very, very high. In a way, it was good because I wanted to learn their school of thought. I wanted to know how they produce, how they way they write their scenes. I’ve been to Iran twice for two trips and it was an amazing experience. 

You’re busy travelling all over the world, are you able to spend enough time with your three children?
We watch a lot of movies together, especially 3D animation films.
Is your mother still your emotional anchor?
That’s what you learn from life… where your priorities ought to be and why you should respect every family member. Amma has just recovered from a serious illness — she’s better now, but still, it’s not like before. 

From being just a boy from Habibullah Road, Madras, to an international composer, how have you changed to fit the bill?
When climate and time zones change, everything changes. There, I’ve three more layers of clothing. The ease of resources, with respect to studios, we have here isn’t available there at times. All the musical notes need to be prepared in advance, not like how it works here. But then, you adapt. It took me 10 years to get used to all that. 

It’s well-known that you played for Ilaiyaraaja before branching out individually. Are you still in touch with him?
The last I met him was at a music function. See, when I’m abroad, I bump into other composers all the time — at screenings or events. It’s unfortunate that Chennai isn’t that much of a social place for me; I’m usually caught up in my own work. And then, there’s family, the school… there’s not much social time. We have the respect in our hearts. 

Do you read a lot?
(Thinks for a while) The last book that I read was… the screenplays of The Hundred Foot Journey and Pele. Those are books anyway.
Coming back to music, there are several exciting new composers. There’s Santhosh Narayan, whom you’ve spoken highly of, and Anirudh and G.V. Prakash. In Hindi, there are many others. Would you say music is in safe hands?
There’s much more to explore in music. The demands should not be to make just hit songs. Each composer has to set a rule for himself to create timeless music. Why do we love works of the past? Because some of them are timeless; audiences still have a connection with them. That’s what I try to do and that’s what I’d like younger composers to do too.

Your school, KM Music Conservatory, has come a long way since its inception. What are your future plans for it?
It was a huge task for us to have a new building and now we have that. It seems to be a great place to hang out and study music. Sometimes, I feel jealous of the kids studying in the school because I never had such a place while growing up. We want the students to serve in the entertainment business with a unique identity… and yes, make people smile. 

You say you’re always running against time, but still do your daily namaaz (prayers).
That’s my oxygen. 

So, everyday life must be a balance.
You have to keep everything you do in multi-tracks. There’s no ‘I will do that tomorrow’. That’s what I’ve realised of late. I don’t say ‘I’ll do my prayers tomorrow, compose for this beautiful idea tomorrow, or say I love you tomorrow…’ If you want to do something, do it now.

A R Rahman to score music for Gautham Menon film with Vikram-Nayanthara!

 Ar Rahman
As everyone knows by now, Gautham Menon is shooting Achcham Enbadhu Madamaiyada. This music for this film that stars Simbu in the lead, is being scored by Oscar-winner A R Rahman, who’s in top form currently.
The latest news is that A R Rahman is also likely to score the music for Gautham Menon’s next flick with superstar Vikram. A source close to the film confirms this adding that discussions are on with A R Rahman at this point. However, Rahman has numerous projects under his belt at the moment and the Vikram movie will start only later in the year.
So what happens if due to Rahman’s commitments he is unable to take up the project later in the year? It looks like then the Vikram-Nayanthara project will fall into Harris Jayaraj’s lap. Gautham and Harris reunited after a gap of six years for Ajith’s Yennai Arindhaal recently and that movie is a superhit.
Right now one thing is for sure – whether it’s Rahman or Harris who scores the music for Gautham’s flick with Vikram, the music will definitely top the charts!

AR Rahman is excited about his upcoming 13-city US tour

Chennai: Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman is all set to start his three-month long North American tour from March 21.
The 'Jai Ho' hitmaker will include material from throughout his 20-year career on the 13-city tour, which will come to an end on June 14 at Redmond in WA Marymoor Amphitheater.
Titled 'A R Rahman: The Intimate Concert Tour' and sponsored by JBL, tickets go on sale on March 6, with VIP packages available till March 4. 

AR Rahman is excited about his upcoming 13-city US tour
A file photo of A R Rahman. 

"I've been wanting to return to North America to perform for a while now, and I'm excited to be coming back for a series of concerts this spring," Rahman, who has earlier performed in US in 2010, said in a statement on his Facebook page.
"These are going to be very special performances and I'm grateful to have the chance to share them with you," he added.
Known for his score and songs in 'Slumdog Millionaire', Rahman has worked on more than 100 films, including landmark compositions in 'Roja', '127 Hours', 'Rockstar', 'Couples Retreat' and 'The Hundred-Foot Journey'.
Rahman, 48, is currently working on a composition for the film 'Pele', a biopic on the Brazilian soccer legend.
He is also the subject of a new documentary about his music, called 'Jai Ho', which premiered on Februray 25 at the Museum of the Moving Image in New York.
Rahman has won two Academy Awards, two Grammys, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe and six honorary doctorates.

Singing With Rahman is Like Winning Oscar and Grammy, Says Darshana

Playback singer Darshana describes the experience of sharing vocal space with double Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman as equivalent to winning a coveted award like an Oscar or a Grammy.

In Mr Rahman's upcoming Tamil soundtrack OK Kanmani, Darshana has crooned five tracks, including a duet with him.





Ar Rahman
"To see your name right next to AR Rahman is a feeling I can't explain. It's beyond my dream. It's like winning the Oscar, Grammy and National Award all at the same time. To share the vocal space with him is a special feeling," Darshana told IANS.

"Even though my contribution to this movie is very minuscule, it's still special to sing three songs in Tamil and two in Telugu from the same album. And one of songs happens to be a duet with Rahman sir. It was only after I saw the track credits, I realised it was a duet," she said.

According to Darshana, the album of OK Kanmani, which is scheduled to release on April 1, is "very fresh and young".

In the album, Darshana has sung Kaara Aattakkaara, Theera Ula and its Telugu versions. She also sang the female version of Mental Manadhil in Telugu.

Darshana's collaboration with Mr Rahman started in 2007 with Rajinikanth's Sivaji.

She sang the opening lines of the hit song Balleilakka from the film. In the same year, she also crooned Maduraikki Pogathadi from the Tamil film Azhagiya Thamizh Magan and some portions of Mayya Mayya from Mani Ratnam's Guru.

Her other AR Rahman songs include Pappu Can't Dance Saala, Nazrein Milaana from Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Naa and Chinamma from Sakkarakatti.

Darshana says singing for Mr Rahman is special because he knows "how to get the best of a vocalist".

"It has worked in my case really well because he's given me different kinds of songs. While Balleilakka was folk; Maduraikki was complete folk with a western touch; Mayya Mayya was Arabic. Pappu Can't Dance Saala was hip-hop and Nazrein Milaana was a melody. He has given me the opportunity to work on my vocals and showcase the best of what I can," she said.

She adds one can't realise how Mr Rahman gets the best from his singers.

"I think that's where the magic lies. I have not worked with many composers, but with the few I've worked, they say what's expected from me and I deliver. With Mr Rahman sir, he gives you the space to experiment with your own voice and at the same time, he guides you as well. So you learn how to own the song and he knows how to get what he wants from his singers," she said.

"In OK Kanmani, I've sung in three different genres. When you hear the songs, both in Tamil and Telugu, you know that he's used my voice in a completely different way and for me, to get the opportunity in one album to sing in three different genres, I consider myself very lucky," said Darshana, who stays in Chicago with her husband.

"I'm studying Jazz vocals at Berkeley. I teach Carnatic music to kids. I'm looking to take more vocal workshops. And if there are local bands where I feel I can perform, I do go and participate," said Darshana, who is currently working on two singles that she plans to release by this year end.

Tuesday, 17 March 2015

Ok Kanmani - Mental Manadhil Song Lyrics

Mana Mana Mental Manadhil Song Lyrics
Singer: AR Rahman
Music:  AR Rahman
Lyrics: Mani Rathnam. AR Rahman

like-a like-a my laila
like-a like-a your laila

Mana mana mana
 mental manadhil
lakka lakka lakka
pollaaavayadhil
takka takka takka
kottum isaiyil
ok en kanmani madiyil

Naettru enbadhu indrillai
naalai ninaippae oh thollai
like-a like my laila laila
indru mattum king and queen-ah

Mana mana mana
 mental manadhil
lakka lakka lakka
pollaaavayadhil
takka takka takka
kottum isaiyil
ok en kanmani madiyil

like-a like-a my laila
like-a like-a your laila

Kannaalae kollaadhey
seendaamal sellaadhey
thottaalum thullaadhay
vittaalum pogaadhey

kalyanam kacheri
samsaaram samandhi
pen pillai
aan pillai
ayyaiyyo oh maaney

Mana mana mana
 mental manadhil
lakka lakka lakka
pollaaavayadhil
takka takka takka
kottum isaiyil
ok en kanmani madiyil

Naettru enbadhu indrillai
naalai ninaippae oh thollai
like-a like my laila laila
indru mattum king and queen-ah

Mana mana mana
 mental manadhil

Oh Kadhal Kanmani Single Download

Oh Kadhal Kanmani





Mental Manadhil - Download