A.R.Rahman (Fan Club)-Part2 - Page 25

The project, which started off in January in response to the Tsunami in Asia, was given further impetus by the recent earthquake in Kashmir.

It has culminated in a CD due to be released next week titled 'We can Make it Better'.

A total of seventeen artists have come together for the single. The track is produced by Mukhtar Sahota, with string arrangements by AR Rahman.

Others artists include Sukhwinder Singh, Jaspinder Narula, Shaan, Hans Raj Hans, UK Apache, Am'nico, Dhami (Heera), Channi (Alaap), Djinn, Mistri, E=MC, Shahin Badar, Sumeet, Surinder Sandhu ( sarangi ), and Shahbaz Khan ( tabla ).

Mukhtar Sahota said: "The idea behind the track was to take a similar approach as to the Band Aid single but with Asian artists from around the world. Asian music is so diverse and I felt that if we can bring different music genres, from Eastern and Western continents together, we can make a difference and at the same time the recording could be a history in the making."

Money from the single will go to Save the Children in India and Islamic Relief.

Singer Sneha Mistri said: "After seeing the images on TV I just felt lost and helpless with all the suffering going on. So when I was approached to be part of this, I felt a sense of relief to be able to do something.

"I hope that we can make a difference, however small because we will always have more then those people directly affected in both tragedies."

The project is the result of a collaboration between InternalMusic, Streetlife productions and Realtone Records. The video for the single, featuring all the artists, was shot in 3 locations: the UK, India and Canada earlier this year and made over a 4 week period.

Organisers say all artists gave their time free of charge and the money raised will be donated to the charities excluding any distribution and retail costs that may apply.

The single is due for release on Friday 11th November from HMV and Asian music outlets.

Close on the heels of A R Rahman and Blaze's My Wish Comes True (touted as India's answer to Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On), the duo have now rendered another English song together.

The song, titled Pray For Me Brother, is based on the theme of eradicating poverty. Rahman is also the international ambassador of the UN anti-
tuberculosis campaign, Stop TB.

Wake up, world

Speaking to hitList from Chennai, Rahman said, "The anthem isn't just music, but a wake-up call to end poverty." Says Blaze, who wrote the lyrics, "Rahman and I got along fabulously during the making of the Kisna song. Some time back, Rahman asked if I was interested in penning something for his anti-TB campaign.

There is some rap involved too, and I got quite charged and agreed. Actually, the millennium campaign covers a wide perspective of issues and poverty is one such issue. Besides, poverty is definitely one of the reasons for tuberculosis." Like most other songs, the tune was set first and the lyrics came later.

"It's an awareness anthem, which would inform people on how to make the world a better place. The main line in the song is "Are you searching for a reason?".

We want to tell people that they don't need a reason to be generous," pointed out Blaze, adding, "It's a pleasure to share the stage with Rahman. I do my role of rapping, especially during the chanting which happens in the second half."

Aussie wave

The duo has been taking the song on Rahman's world tour. They first kicked off in Delhi two weeks back, followed by Melbourne and Sydney.
"The reception in Australia was mind-blowing and the atmosphere, electrifying.

When the lights went off and we began, the crowd switched on their mobile phone lights and started waving in rhythm. Such a response enhances the mood and importantly, instantly tells you that you are on the right path."
"The song is growing day by day. Very soon, we should have it on the video," Blaze added.

The duo's next stop is Singapore, on September 24, where they will perform the song with Rahman's repertoire, followed by Bangalore on October 8.

Kick-starting a week of GCAP 'Wake Up' events before White Band Day 2 this weekend, an anti-poverty concert was held in Delhi, India on September 3.

The concert was part of a two-day South Asian People's Summit Against Poverty (PSAP) on September 3-4

'Pray for me brother. Do you need a reason to be kind', sang Bollywood music star A.R. Rahman as he lent his support to the People's Concert against poverty, held on Saturday evening.

Rahman was joined by singer Kailash Kher, Indian Ocean and Envision in the special concert against poverty organised by GCAP, in collaboration with People's Summit against Poverty.

"The anthem 'Pray for..' is based on the theme of eradicating poverty and is very close to my heart," said Rahman, who performed his new anti-poverty song for the first time.

"There is a need to remind people from time to time that we should make our lives meaningful by extending support to such noble causes. I feel great to be associated with such causes," said Kher Kailash who sang his hit from the Bollywood film, 'Mangal Pandey'.

And Indian Ocean stole the show with their songs "Are ruk ja re bande.." and "Kasi Hile Patna hile.."

Throughout the concert speakers representing diverse groups, both from the Indian campaign and from GCAP globally, took to the stage.

Amitabh Behar and Shefali, spoke on the Indian campaign and the reality of poverty in India. While Minar p***le, GCAP Co-chair, gave an overview of GCAP globally.

At the end of the show John Samuel, ActionAid's international director for Asia, tied a White Band to Rahman's wrist and both called for an end to poverty.

The concert was timed to boost the GCAP campaign, ahead of globally planned actions next week just prior to the UN World Summit.

"The aim of the concert was to generate support among the masses. Such events will raise awareness amongst people and draw the attention of the government to poverty," said Indu Prakash Singh, National Campaign Co-ordinator for Action Aid.

Like the Live8 concerts in July, the aim of the event was not to raise funds, but to create awareness about widespread poverty in India and across the world, Singh said.

Meanwhile, Rahman, invited media to a press conference in a Delhi slum where reporters were surrounded by people who live on a daily basis with extreme poverty and suffering.

To echo the words of Rahman, the concert certainly helped to add Indian voices to the widespread international call to end poverty.

The People's Summit Against Poverty

The concert was held as part of the South Asian People's Summit Against Poverty from 3 rd – 4 th of September, in Delhi.

Launched by former prime minister V.P. Singh, well over 10,000 people attended, eager to discuss India's progress on the Millennium Development Goals, ahead of next week's UN Summit.

Other speakers included, A.B Bardhan, Secretary of the Communist Party of India and Dr. Sayeeda Hameed, a member of the Indian government Planning Commission – the department responsible for the implementation of the MDGs in India.

The Summit also marked the release of the Indian Citizen's Report on MDGs, which evaluated the Indian Government's progress on the MDGs and the national expression of these in the National Development Goals.

On the 3 rd a massive rally was held with over 12,000 people marching throughout the streets of Delhi.

Birmingham Dreams

Conference of the Words, a Sufi tale of self-discovery, is A. R. Rahman's next project. Its orchestral version will be premiered in Birmingham, reveals the musician in a chat with DEEPA GANESH

Waiting for A. R. Rahman — in a long queue of eager-beaver journos, aspiring singers, hopeful producers and directors, friends and fans — is a test of patience. "Each of you gets five minutes," came a voice, which carried with it an air of overwhelming generosity.

Right now, what is he up to? Rahman is working on Shekar Kapur's film Buddha .

Source: The Hindu - Article