London, the venue for the recording of the songs of Abbas Tyrewala’s 1: 800 Love last week turned into a place for an other-worldly experience, lending credence to what the composer A R Rahman has been implicitly stating for some time now.
That music is no more just a creative process for Rahman. It is the man’s hotline to God. What the team of 1: 800 Love witnessed in London’s Autograph Studio was no ordinary fusion of creation and spirituality. Apparently Rahman slipped into trance while composing the songs. “It was as though Rahman was talking directly God through his music.. The whole studio was transformed into a place of worship. There was an aura at the Autograph Studio that I think was never experienced before, ” says producer Madhur Mantena who had earlier recorded with Rahman for Ghajini. “I’ve been through the process with him in Ghajini. And I can see the difference. Rahman always treated his music as a form of worship.. But now he has taken it to another level.” Apparently while composing Rahman doesn’t allow any extraneous sounds or circumstances to penetrate his consciousness. Post the whole Oscar experience Rahman’s bent towards spirituality has increased. Now the process of creating music is a journey for Rahman towards reaching God. And he makes no bones about it. Says Mantena, “I’ve heard composers have experienced something similar while recording Bhajans with Lataji. But with Rahman even when we were jamming for a dance number the effect was spiritual.” Apparently everyone present in the Autograph Studio was touched by that divine spirit that emanated from Rahman’s music. Not just the producer and others in the crew, even British members of the studio experienced an other-wordly feeling as Rahman slipped into music. “He conceived and created three songs at the Autograph studio last week. Every time we had an out-of-body experience, ” says Mantena. Rahman says his relationship with God is very personal. “But yes music is my mean to reach God. I’ve been working towards that goal. I guess it’s now more visible.” http://www.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=28687
