Hi All, (From TOI - Chennai Times dated 12-Aug-2008)
Idol worship On International Youth Day, Chennai Times asks youngsters who they'd vote for as their youth icon Fifteen-year-old Tarun has grown up on Rahman's music. He still remembers the first album he heard with expectation —Kandukondein Kandukondein — and since then, has been a big fan of the Mozart of Madras. “Why would he compose music for a bunch of youngsters after becoming so famous and global,” he asks, obviously referring to the latest Sakkarakati. “It proves that he is still our typical Chennai paiyan!” (Chennai Paiyan = Chennai Boy) While singer Srinivas bats for Dhoni, he agrees with Tarun that Rahman is the typical Chennai paiyan. “He is such a simple human being,” says Srinivas, who has worked closely with Rahman for many years. “Though he has literally 'gone places', he still remembers the city that made him what he is today. Surely, he is the celebrity that the youth of today need to look up to.” For a generation that is widely described as confused, movie-related stars form the major source for inspiration. While sportsmen like Vishwanathan Anand figure high on the list of young Chennaiites' youth icons, Superstar Rajinikanth and music composer Rahman are the all-time favourites. “I want to be like superstar,” says an excited Saravanan V, who thinks Kuselan rocks. “The film reminded me about how humble his beginnings were and how he has risen to this height —it explains how hard work will always pay off.” He feels that the actor inspires him to work hard and come up in life. While Rajini continues to rule the imagination of the masses, the latest sensation in Chennai, according to many, is cricketer MS Dhoni. “He might not be from Chennai but he made us all proud with a thumping performance for the Chennai Super Kings in Twenty 20 cricket,” says A Karthik, a cricket buff. "His is a typical rags-to-riches story… and it is a story worth emulating.” VJ Lekha feels that director Mani Ratnam is a person that the youth can fashion themselves after. “He started off making films at a time when film-making was going through a low phase,” she says, “But, he's managed to sustain audience attention till today by making excellent films that have a connect.” Sarath Babu, the IIM graduate who had humble beginnings in C h e n n a i , ranks high on the list of management aspirants and students. For most students in Chennai, President Abdul Kalam (from Tamil Nadu) still remains a huge source of inspiration. Cheers, Aravind http://arrahmaniac.blogspot.com Download Rahmania show interviews at http://rahmania.4shared.com
