Dear Rahmaniacs, In continuation to last week 's write up this is Part II, write up of Drummer Kumar.
Amongst the songs that you have played , which was the song which was played with so much of interest and happiness ? The song where I played the Tyco in Jodha akbar ( Azeem o Shahenshah) . Tyco is a Japanese Instrument . Remo is the name of the company which manufacturers it. I found the Instrument in the Internet, contacted the company, and got it in 1 1/2 months. No one has got that here. I think someone in Bombay has it. Your Dad was also a Tabla Player. Have you both played together for any recordings for Rahman ? My dad Prasad, started playing for M.S. Viswanathan, and had been working since Vanjikottai Vaaliban days ( film of yester years say 1940s). He started playing from the age of seven. I started playing from the age of 10. My father has fans in France also. My brother is also a Tablist. Many know that there is a drummer by name Kumar, but many may not know that I am the Kumar. Myself and my father recorded for the song " Maya Machindra" ( INDIAN ) . He played the Tabla, while I played the percussion side of it. Q : Once during Muthu Re - Recording, I observed that Rahman was taking a lot of freedom with you, and literally scolding you. Whats your opinion about that ? Ans :- I feel more happy, when I get some scoldings from Rahman Sir. Because when he scolds me , he says I have to work more for him... I got a sampler 770 from Rahman Sir. He is a Godfather to me. Once, when we were doing show under the Aristocrat band, there was a fan at that time, He told, that we can do shows all over Tamil Nadu. The next day, we went to meet him at 11 o clock. But he left that day. Then, we told this to Rahman Sir's amma about this. Amma told that when you want to meet some one , you should go at 6 o clock, and not at 11 o clock. Then, we went the next day at 6 o clock. We met him, spoke to him and felt happy. We felt that amma 's words come true, and was also logical. if we wanted to meet some one, we need to go on time, and go early. Q :- How many programmes would you have done for Aristocrat troupe? We would have done some 40 to 50 programs. Rahmanji 's Amma used to be there always for any show. The last outdoor show was for walajabad. We have done a lot of programs for Spic. Everytime, I used to be given drums solo, and the stick , or the cymbals used to fall down. I like doing Live performance on the stage. Once during Recording, when everyone was playing, they started playing the song. I became very enthusiastic in the middle, and was playing some extra bit. Then, I heard a voice from inside, when Sir shouted " Hey.. Stop it da..". I thought I did a big mistake, and came out, and he told me " Why did you disturb others playing their bit ?. You could have been silent". Then to compromise me , he asked me " Do you have your drums with you ?. ". Then I got my drums, and started playing and was like a doubt bonanza for me. Whenever he gets angry, thats good time for me, as I will be asked to play something more, and will also get extra payment.... Q :- Child time friends Ans :- We used to go to Satyam Theatres, Casino theatres ( CHENNAI 's famous theatres ) and watch English Films. Rare Devils there .. name of the film that we have seen. Then, we go to Pallava Hotel, Fisherman Cove. His thinking was always used to be high. At night times, he never used to sleep that much from childhood days. Whatever keyboard that comes, he used to do a research on it. Once a Keyboard by name D 15. He removed it thoroughly, and assigned a new sound from it, and sent it to the company. The company people were stunned at this, to see Rahmanji's brilliancy. Q :- About Guitarist Prabhu ( all child hoos friends ) Ans ;- he used to be very fond of Rahmanji's cycle. Rahman's mother used to love him a lot, as he was well behaved and never used to give trouble. Rahman also used to like cycle a lot, and there used to be competition between Raihana and Rahman in cycling all the time. That time, it was a gear cycle, which no one had at that time, and Prabhu used to ask for the cycle in the night, and Rahmanji not used to allow him take the cycle. it was a very interesting thing, and a great fun. Once, a group came to Chennai and wanted to perform in Congress Grounds. Tickets were sold out, and we were little late to the program, and we were standing outside the stage. Everyone was very happy to have seen the show, but we were all waiting outside, and couldnt get inside. We were happy with the sounds that we could hear from outside, and felt happy. Then also in future concerts, we have played songs from Osepesa. Q; Hindi Films - Pukar ( Song & Re - recording ) , Jodha Akbar, Lagaan ( Ghanan Ghanan ; Ganjiras and oher percussions ) Bombay - the theme, I cannot forget it in my life. I havent played for that. Jodi - Tara Ram Pum ... Boys - Maro Maro.. I liked that song; Fantastic. Though I havent played for the song Sangamam - Varaaha Nadi kara Ooram Fav Singer :- Sukhwinder Singh. Powerful singer, and singing at such scales. Bombay Dreams - played in all songs as a group. We used to play everything continuos. We have played tycos in WOHE. and would also like to be associated in all future Hollywood compositions of Rahmanji. Fav songs of ARR melodies ;- Anbe Song from kadhal Desam. The violin section in the charanam is superb. Snghidane song from Alaipayudhey.. In folk song, Rukkumani Rukkumani was entirely different... Trendsetter from that song. All are musical friends to me. Neighbour karthik, who is now with Yuvan shankar Raja as Manager. Rahman Sir, friend, and more than that.. -- regards, Vithur Whatever God wants to give, no one can deny; Whatever God wants to deny, no one can give. Be happy always
