A.R.Rahman (Fan Club)-Part2 - Page 48

Alex Miller
July 13, 2006

Every year, the film industry of India churns out about 1,000 movies - more than twice the output of Hollywood. Most of these ultra-campy "Bollywood" films follow a simple format that includes hugely elaborate musical numbers, melodramatic heroes and villains and enough jiggling body parts to make Las Vegas blush.

Indian films share another quality: Most Americans have never seen one, and even given the opportunity, it's unlikely many of us would get far understanding the appeal. That was probably composer Andrew Lloyd's Weber's take when he conceived the idea for "Bombay Dreams," a big-stage musical about Bollywood, the touring production of which just opened in Denver for a two-week run.

"Bombay Dreams" represents an attempt to distill the entire Bollywood scene into a two-hour musical - just imagine trying to do that for Hollywood. As such, it tries to cover a lot of ground, stuffing elements of a typical Indian film into a thin plot centered on the making of one of the films in question. In typical Bollywood fashion, our hero Akaash (Sachin Bhatt) follows a rags-to-riches trajectory accompanied by two love interests: the famous star Rani (Sandra Allen) and the up-and-coming film director Priya (Reshma Shetty), who's inconveniently engaged to a sleazy lawyer named Vikram (Deep Katdare).
Vikram is involved in some kind of plot to raze the slums from whence Akaash came, and at some point he shoots a transvestite in a sari over the whole deal, leaving Akaash and Priya free to marry. But that's not the point, really. The point is, um ... lots of signing and dancing and brightly colored costumes and sets. The point is also zippy Indian music fueled by two drummers elevated stage left and right. Written by top Bollywood film composer A.R. Rahman, the music is of the infectious pop variety that makes one long for early-onset Alzheimer's to make it go away.

Like last year's film "Bride & Prejudice" that introduced American audiences to the syrupy glee of Indian cinema, "Bombay Dreams" is a palatable dose of an alien culture that goes down easy - even if all that jiggling can inspire some slight dyspepsia. Unlike the film, though, the musical never quite achieves that acme of non-stop frenzy, and the veneer of plot that holds it all together results in occasional flat spots no number of blurred fuchsia halter tops and ripped dancer bods can offset.

For a break from the usual, though, this chutney confection a whimsical dip into modern Indian culture. Given the state of things in that crowded and troubled country, it's no wonder they turn to diversions such as the "Diamond in the Rough" film depicted in the show. Ultimately, the Bollywood dream is the same as the Hollywood variety: rising above the crowd, making lots of money and looking good while you do it.
Alex Miller can be reached at 748-2931, or amiller@vaildaily.com.

Vail Daily, Vail, Colorado

Source : http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20060713/AE/107130046

By PTI
Jul 12, 2006, 12:48

The man who's given some of the most commercially successful music in recent times is all set to "give space to non-mainstream work and less known but immensely talented artists." Music director A R Rehman isn't revealing much about his new label, except that it will be out by the end of the year and that "jazz and classical music will feature prominently." But why 'KM'? "It's something auspicious in Islam, a symbol of good luck," says the new look music director whose curly mop is neatly trimmed and combed. "I am just back from a pilgrimage," he explains. Rehman is equally discreet about an upcoming international collaboration where "he is teaming up with a guitarist of international repute." After wowing the international audience with 'Bombay Dreams', 'The Lord of the Rings' and the Chinese venture 'Warriors of Heaven and Earth', he is lending music to the sequel of Shekhar Kapur's 'Elizabeth' and a musical 'London Dreams'. Back home Mani Ratnam's 'Guru', Shyam Benegal's 'Chamki Chameli' and the periodical 'Akbar Jodha' are some of the other projects that are keeping him busy. Rehman, who was recently here for a music tune launch, says international productions approach him for his music. "I think it's for my melody which knows no boundaries." He does admit though that the audience abroad is still niche. However, Rehman's just lost a prize opportunity to work with Baz Luhrmann of 'Moulin Rouge' fame. "He was intimidated by my roster," says the much-in-demand Rehman. Rehman says nature is his muse and this comes through in the new signature tune that he's created for Worldspace, who have also signed him on as their brand ambassador."I started out with jingles and I am now composing music for advertisments. Life has come a full circle," Rehman says philosophically. Recently, Rehman has come with his own rendition of the nation anthem 'Jana Gana Mana..". This comes after the popular 'Vande Maatram'. He doesn't attribute a patriotic motive to his versions though. "It gave me chance to work with Bharat Bala (who produced the song), my friend from school," Rehman says simply.

Panned by critics for being repetitive till he silenced them with the hugely popular music of 'Rang De Basanti', one is tempted to ask if signature style is the bane for a music director ? "I think music should rejuvenate. People listen to a music director so many times that if the music gets repetitive, people get sick of it." The director has a reputation for being difficult to work with. He defends himself saying that if it were the case, he wouldn't be offered so many projects.

Copyright 2006 by MusicIndiaOnLine.com

Source :

(From top) A R Rahman with his mother, Kareema Begum at the unveiling of the WorldSpace signature tune; the launch of the Creative Expressions art portal

For a true musician, music can be found just about anywhere. It could be in the crashing of the waves on the sea shore, in a bird's chirping, or in the chanting of fishermen. These are the very elements to which celebrated music director A R Rahman turned, to draw inspiration for his signature tune for WorldSpace. The resulting melody was unveiled recently at The Oberoi in Delhi, and Rahman, the brand ambassador for the satellite-based digital radio service, made a rare appearance to present his tune. The tune was played out by guitarist Christy, vocalist Suzanne and sarod player Abrar Husain. It will be used in a communications campaign and is all about the 'everyday' and 'everywhere' nature of music. "I've been listening to WorldSpace for the last four years. When asked to make a tune for it, I didn't hesitate," said Rahman.

Chennai, July. 16 (PTI): The virtual world of internet, which has made the world smaller, providing people with easy access to information about products, is poised to become a main channel for music release and distribution in India.

The advent of broadband in the country has drastically changed the mode people access their entertainment needs like videos and music, according to industry experts. Says Mandar Thakur, General Manager - India operations, soundbuzz.com: "The internet would evolve to become the favoured mode of distributing music. A music director no longer needs a distribution company to release his music." One of the main advantages of releasing music on the internet, according to him, is the "mass and wider reach" to a global audience almost immediately. "The time taken for a CD or a cassette to reach the stores is more. By releasing it on the net, your time is reduced manifold," he says. Soundbuzz.com is a digital music distributor over online and mobile media. It provides users 'legal' access to music and video, which means that users would have to pay for downloading a video clip or music, just like they would pay for a CD or a cassette. Music maestro A R Rahman had recently said that the internet could give a new lease of life to the struggling music industry in the country.

He had also said that releasing music over the internet was a possibility and might get popular in India.

Copyright 2006, The Hindu.

Source : http://www.hindu.com/

For the US based fans of Rahman, it is going to a real treat—Hollywood Bowl to be held on July 16th—if they manage to get a ticket. The garden seats, the terrace seats, the box seats and the superseats have already been booked to full. All that are available are a couple of benches. Rahman, hailed as Mozart from Madras by the Time magazine, has left Chennai with his entourage consisting of Sukhwinder Singh who sang the Chhaiya Chhaiya song, Hariharan, Sadhana Sargam, Madhushree, Naresh Iyer and of course, the constant Rahman company, Drums Sivamani. A group of Rajasthani musicians called Musafir will also be sharing the stage with Rahman. The team will be regaling the US audience not only with Bollywood music but also with classical and folk compositions. The all male Stanford University Asian vocalists, Raagapella, and dancers from Bollywood Step dance troupe and Global Rhythms will also be participating on stage to Rahman's music. Surely this maestro is all set to rock Highland Avenue, California, on Sunday.

Behindwoods.com 2004-06

Source : http://www.behindwoods.com