A.R.Rahman (Fan Club)-Part2 - Page 20

I've been making too many sacrifices: Rahman

Mumbai | September 14, 2005 11:02:33 AM IST

A.R. Rahman thinks he has been making too many concessions with the way his songs are treated in films and says Bollywood needs to be proud of its music again. "I've been making too many sacrifices, especially with the way my songs were used. I think Hindi films need to become proud of songs and music again," Rahman told IANS in an interview. He also brushes aside the charge of being repetitive, saying he has simply done a few too many period films. While Rahman wants to return to the format of musicals, he is also keen on composing for a string of Hindi films. "It's better to be burnt out than fade away," he said. Excerpts from the interview: Q: So many period films...and now "Mangal Pandey". What challenges? A: I was offered three period films at the same time, including one from Roland Joffe. I was quite wary of doing "Mangal Pandey" until I heard the script. I thought there was no scope for music. Then when director Ketan Mehta and Aamir Khan came to me I quite liked the interpretation. So we plunged into it. Before that I was like...'Oh no, not another period film! I just did "Bhagat Singh" and "Bose"...Composing for a sutradhar, as I've done in "Mangal Pandey", was a new experience for me. Q: How did you pick Kailash Kher for the title song? A: I wanted a very Nusrat Ali Khan kind of voice. Lyricist Mehboob suggested Kailash. He has done a fabulous job. "Vaari vaari" in "Mangal Pandey" is my first mujra. Q: Your music in "Bose - The Forgotten Hero" went unnoticed? A: They didn't picturise a large part of my music. When the music isn't picturised, it goes unnoticed. The junta disregarded it. I told Shyam Benegal that it's imperative to cash in on whatever songs I compose. Why be apologetic about the music? But I must say I enjoyed composing for "Bose"...For me, every score is enjoyable. It can't be helped if some of them went out of hand. Did the music for a film called "Adaa", I don't know what happened. I put my best effort in all of them. The rest is up to god. Q: In Mumbai there's a growing feeling that your songs have become repetitive? A: Which of my songs are repetitive? Tell me, so I can correct myself. According to me, the repetitive pattern in my career was caused by the series of period films. But I got paid very well. Q: Is money important? A: Not as a rule. But I had invested in a studio in Chennai that cost more than I had bargained for. I didn't have to take a loan. And I enjoyed doing all the period films. But now whatever films I have on hand - like Abbas Tyrewala's "Jane Tu" and Rakesh Mehra's "Rang De Basanti", Shyam Benegal and Rajiv Menon's new film - aren't period films. Q: Too many assignments in Hindi? A: Better to be burnt out than fade way...1999 was my busiest period - "Dil Se", "Taal", "Bombay Dreams", "Kandukondain Kandukondain". I love working on musical subjects like "Taal", "Sapne" and "Kandukondain Kandukondain". Ghai and Mani Ratnam are two people who know what to do with music. I want to return to that format. For now I've stopped doing period films though they've helped me go new areas of my creativity. Their fate wasn't in my hand. I'm doing three southern Indian films. I'm happy about them. At least they won't feel let down and they won't feel I've run away, like they sometimes believe in Mumbai. Q: What went wrong with the music in "Yuva"? A: In "Yuva", Mani Ratnam didn't want songs in the first place. The songs were done largely for the background. I knew from the start there would be very high expectations from our combination. I knew they were in for a letdown, though not as much as they finally were. I've been making too many sacrifices, especially with the way my songs were used. I think Hindi films need to become proud of songs and music again. That's what the history of our cinema is about. Even my "Hum hain iss pal yahan" in Ghai's "Kisna" was used in the background. Q: The music boom in the Mumbai film industry is over. A: The boom in music happened in the mid-1990s. That's when "Roja" happened. During the last 7 to 8 years the whole equation between music and cinema has changed. "Dhoom" had one hit song, and that song made the film a hit. I feel audiences shouldn't be tortured with unwanted songs. At the same time why deprive them of something they love? Q: Anything in Hindi songs that you like lately? A: I like M.M. Kreem's songs. "Jadu hai nasha hai" in "Jism" and some of the Pakistani songs. Otherwise Hindi music seems to be following the herd mentality. There's no time to think...One "Kaliyon ka chaman" and everyone uses the same rhythms. Fortunately I'm not forced to do anything that I don't want to. Q: Are you happy with your career? A: My career is not in my hands. I'm happy with what I'm doing. But I'm always thirsty for more. There's no fixed working place for me. Chennai is my home, I guess. But I want to reach out to the listener in Kanjeevaram and Kolkata. Their approval means a lot to me. (IANS)

Source: http://news.webindia123.com | http://www.indiaglitz.com

Indian composer brings Bollywood to Lord of the Rings

This is a transcript from AM. The program is broadcast around Australia at 08:00 on ABC Local Radio.

AM - Friday, 16 September , 2005 08:24:00 Reporter: Karen Barlow TONY EASTLEY: A megastar of music, adored by millions, has managed to slip into the country virtually unnoticed. Indian composer and musician A.R. Rahman has among his fans Andrew Lloyd Webber, Baz Lurhmann, Cate Blanchett and of course millions of fellow Indians. He's composed the music for scores of albums and Bollywood films, and is gearing up for what may be a very controversial project, a stage musical production of Lord of The Rings . A R Rahman, who was born a Hindu but who converted to Islam, is in Australia for stadium concerts in Melbourne and Sydney, which are already sold out. AM 's Karen Barlow reports. (Sound of Rahman's music) KAREN BARLOW: A classically trained musician from the India's Tamil south, A.R. Rahman, started his career writing advertising jingles. India's prolific and vibrant Bollywood film industry took notice, and since 1992 he's been in demand as a film scorer and artist. Rahman is known for melding traditional Indian music with western ideas and modern instruments. (Sound of Rahman's music) A R RAHMAN: When I got my first break I thought I don't want to do the same thing, which other people are doing here. I want our music to go around the world, being appreciated by all people around the globe rather than just being the (inaudible) of Indian, Asian people. So that made me take efforts to do little changes, changing the beats or whatever and getting harmonies and chord progressions and stuff like that, you know, with traditional Indian melodies. And I think something, some magic happened. (Sound of Rahman's music) A R RAHMAN: I do appreciate every kind of music and sometimes it comes in naturally rather than intentionally. (Sound of Rahman's music) KAREN BARLOW: A R Rahman's joyful melodies and rhythms have won over millions of people, including Sydney's Vandana Ram, who's grown up with traditional Indian music. VANDANA RAM: It is an experience of discovery, because you feel like you're starting off somewhere, it's often really slow and then it builds up and you go on a little journey with it. There's often really strong percussion, so there's a fantastic sort of build up and climax, it's a whole experience. Yeah, I just find it leaves me… it's just fulfilling. KAREN BARLOW: While Bollywood is starting to be mass-marketed to western audiences, Vandana Ram says A.R. Rahman is in a class of his own. Rahman says Bollywood compliments his work, but he's starting to reach out to a wider audience. Andrew Lloyd Webber got him to do the music for his Broadway production, Bombay Dreams , three years ago. Now he's working with Finnish folk musicians on the score for a Lord of the Rings stage musical, which is set to open in Toronto early next year. (To A.R. Rahman) Well, tell me about that, because it's really hard to imagine The Lord of the Rings as a musical. I mean, how are you approaching this? A R RAHMAN: It's a… they don't want to call this a musical, because there's so much music in it, probably two times more music in it than other musical shows, but it's done in a way where it's not the typical… ok, now, you're going to hear a song. KAREN BARLOW: It's not Disney? A R RAHMAN: No. KAREN BARLOW: Oh, that's good. Because I suppose there are a lot of fans of The Lord of the Rings , even before the movies came out, and they'll be very particular about this. A R RAHMAN: Very true. And I think some of them will definitely be more happy than with the films, when they see the show. KAREN BARLOW: Really? That's a big call. A R RAHMAN: Yeah. We are hoping that. (Sound of Rahman's music) TONY EASTLEY: Indian composer and musician, A.R. Rahman ending that report from Karen Barlow.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2005/s1461719.htm

Music Review

Producer & Director: Subhash Ghai
Music: A.R. Rahman
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi



Taal is undoubtedly the most eagerly awaited Hindi film album of the year. Taal is the first time A. R. Rahman has set tunes to Anand Bakshi's lyrics. Taal is the first time "showman" Subhash Ghai has worked with A. R. Rahman. Ghai has said numerous times that Taal has the best music than any of his previous films. That statement proves to be true, in my opinion. However, everyone else who'd heard the music of Taal even before the album released, was saying that Rahman is at his best in Taal. I don't quite agree with that, Rahman's best work in my opinion is Dil SeI think it'll be sometime before Rahman tops Dil Se.. Nevertheless, Taal is an excellent album. Rahman has focused a lot more on melody in Taal.

The CD begins with "Ishq Bina Kya Jeena" which is being shown in the trailors. Anuradha Sriram, Sonu Nigam, Sujatha (who's barely heard), and Rahman sing this beautifully penned number. The song focuses on how one can't live without ishq nor how one can't die without ishq. Anuradha Sriram really surprised me. She sounds very sweet and sings well too, which she hasn't done in a lot of her previous songs. Sonu Nigam does a good job with the last verse he has to sing. Rahman uses the flute and tabla very effectively.

"Taal Se Taal Mila" is sung by Alka Yagnik and Udit Narayan. Both Alka and Udit sing the song almost flawlessly. Lyrics by Anand Bakshi are again well penned, with a slight punjabi touch this time. That punjabi touch in the lyrics is present in a few other songs in the album as well.

"Nahin Samne" is my favorite song of the album. Hariharan sings this soft romantic number. Hariharan does a good job as he always does with slow paced songs. The highlight of the song however is the orchestration and the use of the sitar. Sukhwinder Singh is also given credit, but it's hard to spot him.

It's very easy to spot Sukhwinder Singh in the next song, "Ramta Jogi". Alka Yagnik is also present in the song, but Sukhwinder dominates most of it. Sukhwinder's rendition is very good, he makes the punjabi touch come alive. The other Sukhwinder-Alka duet is "Kariye Na." I feel this one is slightly better than "Ramta Jogi". "Kariye Na" has an 'on top of a hill feeling', which Rahman creates easily right from the beginning with the bass and echoes. Sukhwinder renders the song very well.

Richa Sharma joins Sukhwinder to sing "Ni Main Samajh Gayee". The punjabi influence is again present. Richa Sharma makes you forget that Jaspinder Nirula is needed to make you enjoy song such as this one! The interesting thing about the song is that Rahman has used just one beat throughout out the song, which leaves a little extra load on the singers' part.

"Kahin Aag Lage" is a jungle-type number sung by the annoying Aditya Narayan (thankfully, the kid has only a few lines in the beginning and a few at the end), Richa Sharma, and Asha Bhosle. Richa Sharma is barely heard in this one. However, it's glad to see Ashaji sing for Rahman again. This song might not be as good one of the Asha-Rahman songs from Rangeelabut it's definitely enjoyable nevertheless.

"Raga Dance" and "Beat of Passion" are the two instrumental tracks in the album. The latter is the title music. The former appeared on the first trailor, where Anil Kapoor is conducting an orchestra. "Raga Dance" is the better of the two tracks in my opinion.

"Ishq Bina - Ishq Bina" is another version of "Ishq Bina Kya Jeena" sung by Kavita Krishnamurthy this time. Sukhwinder is also given credit, but he's missing completely. Midway through the song, heavy techno beats take over from the tabla, and the chorus begins to repeat "ishq bina kya jeena yaaro.ishq beena kya marna yaaro." Hopefully it'll also have a good dance by Aishwarya as well.

"Kya Dekh Rahe Ho Tum" is very brief song sung by little girls. There isn't much to write about this one.

There's a brief 'western' version of "Taal Se Taal Mila" sung by Sukhwinder and chorus. This one's packed with heavy beats, unlike the Alka-Udit version.

Ghai has worked very hard with Rahman and Bakshi-saab to come up with the songs for Taal, and the hard work of all three men is evident in the songs. The film is said to be Ghai's best yet, lets hope that rumor is true. Rahman has once again proved that he's the most creative music director of today's times. Taal is must-buy to put it simply.

Source: http://www.planetbollywood.com/Music/taal.html

grt articles guys.........wher r the others??
sammie, jaseeka,/........

Music Review

Producer: David Reed and Adam Bowling/Ronnie Screwala
Director: Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra
Starring: Aamir Khan, Soha Ali Khan, Madhavan, Kunal Kapoor, Atul Kulkarni, Om Puri, Waheeda Rahman, Sharman Joshi, Anupam Kher, Kiron Kher and Alice Paton
Music: A.R. Rahman
Lyrics: Prasoon Joshi, Nacim and Blaaze
Singers: A.R. Rahman, Aslam, Nacim, Blaaze, Mohammad Aslam, Naresh Iyer, Aamir Khan, Harshdeep Kaur, Lata Mangeshkar, Mohit Chauhan, Daler Mehndi, Chitra and Madhushree
Audio On: UTV
Number of Songs: 10
Released on: December 08, 2005


"I think Hindi films need to become proud of songs and music again. That's what the history of our cinema is all about." – A.R. Rahman [IANS]

So the music of Rang De Basanti has finally released. But what should we expect of A.R. Rahman's music? Rahman ji has had two releases this year:Mangal Pandeywhich had huge hype, ended up disappointing the classes. Second, Bose - The Forgotten Music which had no exposure at all, yet turned out to be one of Rahman's best compositions to date. So what story will the music of Rang De Basanti tell?

It's already known that the story of the film is a very unique one; telling the tale of an English lady returning to India to create a documentary based on her late father's diary. Each character in the film will play two roles: One in present day India, and one in the 1920s. So technically, this isn't a period film as speculation had suggested earlier. In regards to the music itself, Rang De Basanti generated ample attention. For starters, it featured Aamir Khan's rare vocals. However, the bigger surprise was that there would be a track featuring the legendary Nightingale, Lata Mangeshkar, and the Madras Mozart himself, A.R. Rahman, for the very first time. Let's have a listen at what promises to be a heart-warming journey through the musical fields of A.R. Rahman's Rang De Basanti. Oh and by the way, the impressive add-on of lyricist Prasoon Joshi should be yet another reason to praise the musical cast of this film…right?

There isn't a better way to start off a score than with Ik Onkar. It is a soothing Punjabi prayer that does nothing but ooze all over you. The purity of this track alone overwhelms your senses. The heroine of this awe-inspiring piece is Harshdeep Kaur. Music buffs will recall hearing her voice in Le Jaa ofKaram earlier this year. Nonetheless, she is in perfect form and her Punjabi rendition is right on. A.R. Rahman realizes that the brute force of the prayer and rendition alone is enough to set this track ablaze, as he wisely lets off on the music and only provides Harshdeep with some steady strings in the background on which she beautifully structures her melody. Awesome is what comes to mind first!

Khalbali has definitely got style, but I'm afraid it won't find too many takers. Rahman leans back into his breezy ways as he co-sings this with Aslam, with Nacim providing the lyrics and vocals for the limited Arabic portions. A valiant effort to infuse Arabic flavors, however, if you want an invincible Arabic piece by Rahman please listen to Potter's Village of Meenaxi Prasoon Joshi's lyrics take a back seat to the music of this piece.

Khoon Chala is another fabulously crafted piece by Rahman. Mohit Chauhan is a singer to look out for. Although he's sung sparingly in the past, he was most recently heard in the forgotten music of Main Meri Patni Aur Woh, where he showcased his immense skills. Rahman picked up on the scent and here you are, he's featured full-fledged in Khoon Chala. Apart from the flawless rendition, Rahman's touch of grandeur and Joshi's touching lyrics take this tune to the top.

"Khoon se khelenge holi, karvatan mushkil mein hai. Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamare dil mein hai. Haath jin mein junoon, kat the nahin talvaar se. Sar jo uth jaate hai woh jukte nahin lalkaar se." – Prasoon Joshi

These ingenious lines by Prasoon Joshi are spoken by Aamir Khan in Lalkaar. The sheer power of the chorus and the strings behind Khan's authoritative voice make for a very commanding piece. Although Khan's voice is perfect for the mood, Joshi's words are what hit you the hardest. Listen closely and you will realize the motive behind making Rang De Basanti.

Paathshaala and Paathshaala – Be A Rebel are a pair of roller-coaster tracks, with Rahman going wild with the baton. These songs run parallel to Rozana of Lakeer
, which failed in gaining any respect. This piece has a similar fate, as it tries to conquer too much in one sitting. Although the renditions by Naresh Iyer and Mohammad Aslam are respectable, the piece is too inconsistent to like. Blaaze provides the English in the Be A Rebel version of the piece. Don't take my word for it…listen for yourself.

"You know he's really surprised how I finished recording in 15 minutes, while most other singers take 4-5 hours." – Daler Mehndi

Next up we have the much too over-hyped Rang De Basanti sung by Daler Mehndi (last heard with Rahman in the popular Nachley from Lakeer). But honestly, I don't know why everyone's been raving about this one. Chitra was pushed to the background very surprisingly. Rahman is completely out of form, as he reverts to clichd rhythms and melodies. His signature touch is nowhere to be found. Somewhat comparable to Pagdi Sambhal from The Legend of Bhagat Singh(for which he got criticized for not knowing anything about the genre of Bhangra), this track is out of Rahman and Mehndi's league. If you want to hear Daler Mehndi at his best, listen to Ru-B-Ru from Vishal Bharadwaj's Maqbool.

"Although I had sung for Rahman before, I have never sung with him. It's a lovely maa-beta song." – Lata Mangeshkar

A 10 on 10 goes to the most beautiful, most touching, and most creative piece of the album, Luka Chuppi. This track was arguably one of the most anticipated songs of 2005, and rightfully so! Lata Mangeshkar has never sounded better in this maa-beta tune. Full props to Mr. Rahman for invigorating the piece with a sensational play of the guitar and the classical touch of the tabla. Not to mention Rahman has sung this piece with passion, as he does all his songs. The unsung hero is Mr. Prasoon Joshi who comes to fruition in this soundtrack with Luka chuppi bahut hui saamne aa jaa naa. He captures the unique relationship of mother and son with his mastery over words. He picks up right where he left off in Black's solo song, Haan Maine Choo Kar Dekha Hai. This is a brilliant piece by the Madrasi Mozart. Encore!

Next up we have Roobaroo, rendered by Narersh Iyer with the Roobaroo interludes sung by Rahman himself. This one reminds me of the fun Rahman had while composing Swades's Yun Hi Chala; not only because of the energetic play of the guitar but also because of the way Naresh Iyer's stylistic rendition is handled. Nonetheless, it's some clean fun but nothing special. Joshi's lyrics are not very demanding once again as isn't the music.

The journey through Rang De Basanti comes to a close with the romantic ballad, Tu Bin Bataaye. The effort is a valiant one by Rahman, but it just doesn't reach the expectatoins the soundtrack has set for itself. No doubt, it's a very good song. But with Rahman, you expect something different and new, which this piece lacks. Madhushree, a Rahman regular, and Naresh Iyer make up the vocal cast and do justice to the tune. The lyrics are somewhat reminiscent of Do Kadam (Meenaxi)and the music is somewhat comparable to Dil Ne Jisse Apna Kaha (Dil Ne Jisse Apna Kaha). Rahman should do a better job if he wants people to stop accusing him of being repetitive, which he brushed off by saying that it's due to the number of period films he's done recently. Anyhow, it's a pleasant close to Rang De Basanti.

So what do you think of the music of Rang De Basanti? I think it is a let down to some degree. Ik Onkar, Khoon Chala, and Luka Chuppi carry most of the burden that the enormous expectations have plagued this soundtrack with. Half of the tracks are superb, and half of them…well not so much. With some tweaking, Rang De Basanti could have been yet another feather in the ornamented cap of A.R. Rahman, but that's not the case. Although it isn't up to par for A.R. Rahman it's definitely a jewel of an album in the music markets. Buy this soundtrack, if not just for Luka Chuppi.

source

Originally posted by: doly_455

grt articles guys.........wher r the others??
sammie, jaseeka,/........

Yeah doly really good articles.👏I am here 😊but where is sam uncle???😔

Good Job Gals!Interviews , News..music reviews Great!!!Caary on 👏 👏

Originally posted by: Jaseeka

Yeah doly really good articles.👏I am here 😊but where is sam uncle???😔

dont know may be busy...........

as u r still the mow.........i can ask u.....questions........

who do u think is a grt sad songs composer..........

who is a grt love song composer?

which songs of rahmanji do u like.......dance no's, sad1's, love songs.........pick 1......

which song of rahmanji is ur all time fav..........

which movie do u think he scored in the best..........