So, Taj Anthem in all 9 USA concerts.. hip hip hurray!!!
On 5/29/07, Gopal Srinivasan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Taj not a monument of marble, but of love Monday, May 28, 2007 10:15:47 IST http://www.cybernoon.com/DisplayArticle.asp?section=fromthepress&subsection=inbombay&xfile=May2007_inbombay_standard13061 Rahman launches newly composed track, 'United for the Taj' --Select-- News Sports Diary Editorials In Mumbai Opinions Special Report Lakme Fashion Week The Uppercrust Show Special Section Books Film Review Business 22nd Anniversary Melody Saloon Afternoon Buffet Health Check Business Extra Woman's Extra Bombay First Show Buzz Celebrity Interviews Art Attack Guest Column Stray Thoughts A Mother Round and About Books Eating Out Politics Internet Humour Tarotscope Asit Chandmal Dr.Shirin Wadia Mehraboon Irani for : A man of few words, A.R. Rahman has always preferred his music to do the talking. And how! From being touted as the most exciting composer in India, he is now on the verge of receiving international acclaim, with no less than sir Andrew Lloyd Webber rooting for him. Humming Bird caught up with Rahman in Mumbai. What did you feel when you were asked to make a track to promote the Taj for the new seven wonders? I was in London when the IMCL approached me, and I was very excited about composing the anthem. It was at very short notice. But my crew and I grabbed the idea and made special time to work on the anthem. What is your opinion about the Taj and the seven wonders? (Laughs) Well, a few months back, a very close friend who is a Sri Lankan Tamil arrived from the UK to get married in India along with another foreigner. However, when I asked her where she is planning to get married, she just said 'Taj Mahal'. That's what took me closer to the Taj. One can imagine the way the Taj has been seen, as the monument of love. This is the first time that you have co-written the lyrics with Raqueeb for the song. How did that happen? Due to the short notice, I could not arrange for the lyricists. Later I thought it would be better to deal with the lyrics myself. It was a great experience and the lyrics communicate my feelings about the Taj. How would you be personally promoting the Taj to make it to the new seven wonders? I am going to the US this week and I will be performing this song at all the nine shows that are planned there. There is also a performance in New Delhi soon, where I will make sure I perform this song. When we talk about film music, we talk chiefly about how the masses appreciate it. Now, do you think your music will be more critically examined, simply because it will be heard by a different strata of society? I always live with a song, sometimes for a week, sometimes for six months, to try and fix whatever is wrong with it. Because, if I don't like something, people will not like it either. I've gone by that rule and so far, it's been working. God was kind. That's how I did this also. I'm not going to try something I don't know about. I assume they will like it. You are taking a sabbatical from Hindi and regional films, aren't you? I've done my homework on the films that are yet to be released. So there's not going to be a vacuum. It's not like you are not going to hear A.R. Rahman's music for one year. I've completed Lagaan, Zubeida, , alai ptyuthey, Rhythm. And you are not accepting any other offers right now? Not yet. I'm just holding them, so that I get some space. There's this allegation that you are a composer who has mastered the gadgets -- how do you react to this? (Laughs) I think it's just an extra attribute or whatever. But it's not the only thing. Because without tunes, without happening tunes, it will not work. Only if you have a happening tune, everything else can support it. Knowing the computer actually helps to perfect things. If somebody has gone off-key but delivered a good line with the right feel, you don't have to sacrifice the take. You can just cut it at the pitch and use it. This is how I have learnt to make things easier, to get the best out of an artiste. Some people have accused you of being repetitive... I don't think they will say that now, because I have been into too many wild things. Hopefully, they won't say it again in future. But, was there a phase when you felt you were being repetitive? Well, yes. Following the success of Kadalan (or Hum Se Muqabla in Hindi), a kind of dance culture developed. Suddenly, there were proposals with Prabhu Deva and me together. I was forced to do only dance music. But then I got out of it and accepted films that demanded melody. Sometimes you kind of get into it... without realising. You have always come up with exceptional scores for Mani Ratnam. Do you personally think that you've given your best for him? The main thing is the concept that the director has. He (Mani Ratnam) has always given me things that I have not done before. He has been an important person in my career. He never says 'I want a song like this or that', he always has a fresh idea. That's the reason why different scores come up for his films. Finally, what would you suggest to people about making the Taj into the new seven wonders? The Taj Mahal is the real monument of love. It's not just a monument of marbles. What's gone into making it is remarkable. It's no longer the Taj of Mumtaz or Shah Jahan. It's ours. To all those who have loved or intend to love, I would request them to vote for the great symbol of love. Our pride is at stake Are you searching for a reason, to be kind? <b> Explore, Experience, Enjoy A.R.Rahman - The Man, The Music, The Magic. Only at arrahmanfans.com - The definitive A.R.Rahman e-community. Homepage: http://www.arrahmanfans.com Admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links
