Leena Munjal
A.R. Rahman….An inspiring and multi-dimensional artist – Indian film composer, record producer, musician and singer. Two-time Oscar winner is the undisputed superstar of contemporary Indian music. His songs embrace Indian, Western and Asian influences, connecting with hearts and minds all over the world.
Life History and Career
Rahman belongs to a musically affluent family. He started learning piano at the age of 4 and at the age of 11, he joined Ilaiyaraja’s troupe as a keyboard player; traveled all around the world with various orchestras.
Rahman accompanied the great tabla maestro, Zakir Hussain on a few world tours and also won a scholarship at the Trinity College of Music at Oxford University, where he studied Western classical music and obtained a degree in music. In 1987, he moved to advertising, where he composed more than 300 jingles over 5 years. In 1989, he started a small studio called Panchathan Record Inn, which later developed into one of the most well-equipped and advanced sound recording studios in India.
At an advertising awards function, Rahman met one of India’s most famous directors, Mani Ratnam. He loved Rahman’s music samples so much that he asked him to compose the music for his next film, Roja (1992). The debut led Rahman to receive the Rajat Kamal award for Best Music Director at the National Film Awards.
Then Rahman went on to compose several great hits for Tamil-language films before composing the score and songs for his first Hindi-language film, Rangeela (1995). The massive success of his first Hindi venture was followed by the chart-topping soundtrack albums of films such as Bumbai, Dil Se, Taal, Zubeidaa, Lagaan….
Recently he made his first foray into scoring music for a feature comedy film with Universal Pictures’ Couples Retreat, which debuted at #1 at the box office in both America and Australia.
Music style and Impact
AR Rahman holds the credit for totally refurbishing the manner in which music was being made in India. Skilled in Carnatic music, Western classical, Hindustani music and the Qawwali style, Rahman has been noted to write film songs that integrate elements of varied music systems.
Rahman has been involved in several projects aside from films. He made an album Vande Mataram (1997) on India’s 50th anniversary of independence, followed by an album for the Bharat Bala–directed video Jana Gana Mana. Rahman has also composed several orchestrations for athletic events, T.V. and internet media publications, documentaries and short films. His stance of music stems from his keenness on experimentation. Described as one of the pioneering composers to ever work in the industry, his exclusive style transformed film music in the 1990s.
Awards
Also known as the John Williams of the Indian Film Industry, the great musician has won thirteen Filmfare Awards, four National Film Awards, a BAFTA Award, two Academy Awards, six Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and twelve Filmfare Awards South for his music and scores.
Rahman was also the 1995 recipient of the Mauritius National Award and the Malaysian Award for contributions to music. He was conferred the Padma Shri from the Government of India.
This year, for his score of Slumdog Millionaire, Rahman won the Critics’ Choice Award, the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score and two Academy Awards for Best Original Music Score and Best Original Song at the 2009 Oscars.
He has also been nominated for two Grammy Awards…Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media and Best song for Motion Picture, Slumdog Millionaire.
The Time magazine has placed Rahman in the 2009 Time 100 list of ‘World’s Most Influential People’.
Social service
Rahman is involved in various charitable causes. In 2004, he was appointed as the Global Ambassador of the ‘Stop TB Partnership’, a project by WHO. He has shown support to charities including ‘Save the Children, India’. In 2008, Rahman opened his KM Music Conservatory partnered with Audio Media Education facility to tutor and train aspiring musicians in vocals, instruments, music technology and sound design.
Special Initiatives
The Online ‘A R Rahman Store’:
The Oscar winning musician has opened a shop named ‘A R Rahman Store’ on his official website. This online shop presently sells only a few items but would soon expand the inventory to include exclusive pre-sale concert tickets, merchandise, DVDs and more. However, one can only shop using Canadian Dollars, Euros, British Pounds and US Dollars.
Rahman’s Campaign for Taj Mahal:
The music genius has specially composed and sung a song ”One Love” to kick start the nationwide multi-media campaign for the Taj Mahal.
INDIA’S INTERNATIONAL SUPERSTAR REACHING SYDNEY SOON
Jai Ho!…A night like no other when Indian superstar A.R. Rahman would take to stage for a free outdoor spectacular.
Sydney audiences will have the chance to see A.R. Rahman in the beautiful parkland setting of Parramatta Park. With an entourage of more than 40 musicians and Bollywood dancers on stage, this promises to be a fantastic night filled with colour, dancing and the irrepressible rhythms and melodies of modern India.
Sydney Festival had already been in talks with Rahman to perform as part of a program on Indian music and theatre. In concern of the current tensions in Australia-India relations as a result of the attacks on Indian students in Australia, Rahman himself suggested a free concert as an expression of cultural diplomacy and a goodwill gesture.
Australians consider A.R. Rahman’s upcoming concert as “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”.
Oscar nominated Australian film director-screenwriter-producer Baz Luhrmann has stated “Whatever the style, A.R. Rahman’s music always possesses a profound sense of humanity and spirit”.
In a brief interaction session with The Indian, Rahman said that he would like to convey a friendship message through his concert in Sydney. He also wishes to make the evening exciting for everyone by presenting his astounding compositions including songs from the movie Slumdog Millionaire.
“This year has been great for me. By now, I have achieved every award that one aspires for and now I am in high spirits after the Grammy nomination,” says Rahman.
Expressing his immediate reaction when he got to know about his oscar award for Slumdog Millionaire, Rahman said that he got numb. He had not made any expectations for it but he knew that he had worked with a legendary director and done his best.
When asked about his favorite piece of music, Rahman said that he likes all the compositions but has special inclination for the songs of his first movie ‘Roja’.
The great music composer also told us that he has the habit of working on his music after sunset.
Talking about the initial stages of his career, Rahman said that his music had been critically examined but he always took the criticism positively.
Indian music lovers say,”It can’t get bigger than Rahman” but the music king still aspires to do a lot for the music industry. He thinks that every little step needs a reality check which he gets through people’s appreciations.
Rahman is an icon in the world of cinematic score. The undisputed music king renowned for his immense range has no competition, yet he makes it a priority to discover new talent and promote it. Now the “Mozart of Madras” has the world’s foot tapping along with him. At a young age, he has revolutionized Indian film music and one can only expect this musical genius to reach greater heights.
