The great genius Zakir Hussain - praises another - A.R.Rahman:
Who have been the best music composers in Bollywood? If we consider the olden times, I am partial to my father's compositions. But one of my favourite composers has always been Madan Mohan for the Indian kind of film music. I have really liked Pancham da's music. I think it was way beyond it's time. He was a fabulous composer in terms of arrangement of songs they had the melody of Indian origin and orchestration of westernized origin. The kind of music that is happening now in Bollywood was installed many years ago by Pancham. I liked Laxmikant Pyarelal's music very much so I have to say that these three have been my favourite composers. But in today's world, where the music has so globally evolved, I must say that the work of A. R. Rahman comes forth as one of the best. Shankar-Ehsaan- Loy have also done us proud. They have done some fabulous music compositions. I don't know if I like the word Bollywood. It means we are paying homage to Hollywood. Do you think any music composer in Bollywood is overrated? I don't think that a music composer can be said to be overrated. Because we have to realize that what the composer is projecting in the film is the director's idea. Ideally, the composer himself does not get to execute his own thoughts, unless it is someone as able as Rahman, who will present something to the director and the director will say fine. I don't think music composers can be faulted for whatever may go wrong with music because they are just doing what they have been told. .... Additionally one of the very interesting observations that I am a total believer of: Do you think the quality of Bollywood music is deteriorating by the hour? No I don't think so. I don't know if I like the word Bollywood. It means we are paying homage to Hollywood. We are an industry by ourselves, and the art work that is put out here is unique and one of its kind. So we don't need to relate ourselves with somebody else to be able to get the attention we deserve. The music in this part of the world, I think, is much more intelligent these days. In the olden days you had the classical music of India, and the singers who were classically trained, that is why this one area of music that you worked in and performed in was easy. O.P Nayyar saab recorded three songs in a day because the formula was set the number of instruments, the procedure, and all. All the musicians knew exactly what was to be done. But today, as you pointed out earlier, music draws inspiration from much more than just Indian roots. And to be able to incorporate so many elements from all over the globe in a 3- minute song and to be able to do justice to each one of those elements is a very difficult job. It requires a mind that is able to absorb a multi-layered thought process and balance all the ideas in the right way. That is why I say that today's music is much more intelligent. And I must say that today's musicians and singers are great. They have the range that is unbelievable. They can sing between the lowest octaves to the highest octave and deliver the perfect timber. The tone of each octave is equally balanced and well- projected. Today's singer is a multi-faceted singer. In the olden days when you wanted to do a sad song you had Talat Mehmood; if you wanted to do a happy song you had Rafi saab. But today any singer can do anything. And in that sense the musician today is much more well- informed. Hats off to the composers they are fabulous. Entire interview at: http://www.indiafm.com/features/2007/01/23/2148/ index.html -Ricky
