Rahman's music gets recognition A.R. Rahman accepts the award for Best Original Score - Motion Picture for "Slumdog Millionaire". AP Malini Mannath<http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/searchresult.aspx?AliasName=bRoC7xrHjwiW5Y7fnXiJmw==> First Published : 13 Jan 2009 03:41:00 AM IST Last Updated : 13 Jan 2009 12:02:07 PM IST
He has done it and how! AR Rahman has bagged the prestigious Golden Globe award for 'Best Original Score' for his work in Slumdog Millionaire. The movie, set in Mumbai and centered around a slum boy who successfully participates in the Kaun Banega Karorepati game show, has earned four awards. Rahman's is the one that is special for us here. It was yet another feather in the cap for this music maestro, who made a smooth transition from a jingles composer to setting the tune for his first feature film Roja. It was the ad film-maker team of Trilok and Sharada who first suggested Rahman's (then Dileep) name to Mani Ratnam. And Rahman got to sign his first film. Working magic on his keyboard, the music genius, with his fusion of Indian and Western music, brought freshness and a contemporary feel to Tamil film music. And from then on, Rahman never looked back, his career spiralling upwards to unprecedented heights of fame. Apart from being a regular for Mani Ratnam's films, when Shankar struck out as an independent director with Gentleman, it was Rahman he signed. And since then the music maestro has set the tune for most of Shankar's films. Winning awards at various levels, his music transcended state and national boundaries. He was a much in demand music composer for film-makers from Mumbai like Subhash Ghai and Aamir Khan to name a few. He has done several international projects, with Andrew Webber signing him for his Broadway musical. WHAT is striking about A R Rahman is his extreme modesty. Fame has not changed him and he remains the same simple and unassuming person he was before fame knocked at his door. He may be a tad high-priced, he may take his time delivering the scores, and his working style, mainly late night recordings, may not suit some makers. But that has not deterred the best from making a beeline to his door. For, it's not just a quality product they get, but Rahman's name tag on a project undoubtedly enhances its market value. Apart from being a regular for Mani Ratnam films, when Shanker struck out as an independent director with Gentleman, it was Rahman he signed. And since then the music maestro has set the tune for most of Shanker's films. Talking to Rahman some years ago, I asked him whether his music was not getting repetitive. He candidly admitted it and said: "… Maybe a couple of years later, there will be another music director who will replace me." But a decade has passed since then and Rahman's fame has not waned a bit. He is still the most sought after music composer both sides of the Vindhyas. And now making his mark globally too. In an interview, Dev Anand mentioned that when on a trip to Chennai, his children asked him to get them cassettes of Rahman's songs. And this at a time when Rahman's music was still confined to Tamil films. Various music directors have emerged since then, their style similar to Rahman's, following his path. But none of them could surpass the maestro. And Rahman still remains the undisputed king. India is on a roll. And Chennaites in particular are proud and thrilled by their own boy bagging a prestigious international award. The Golden Globe is a pre-cursor to the Oscars. And one wouldn't be surprised if he bags the Oscar too. http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Rahmans+music+gets+recognition&artid=XATePQd72%7Cg=&SectionID=sPqk7hE5Bqg=&MainSectionID=sPqk7hE5Bqg=&SEO=Slumdog+Millionaire,+rahman,+music&SectionName=qREFy151z8Q5CNV7tjhyLw==-- regards, Vithur
