A great Article, on Rehman, for all of his Fans, Bludhound, Sunny Audit, Me ,etc etc!

In just about a decade’s presence on the music scene, A.R. Rahman has succeeded in revolutionising popular film music. And he is now making waves internationally with the launch of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s much hyped musical Bombay Dreams. Rahman’s music and compositions in the play, which also features his Hindi film hits ‘Chaiyya chaiyya...’ and ‘Shakalaka baby...’, have won rave reviews from critics abroad. And there is talk of the wizkid composer being roped in for Hollywood films.

One reason for this is that unlike many other contemporary composers, Rahman keeps on working on the song well after it’s ‘done’. The magic that starts after he’s recorded the song doesn’t stop till he’s played with and perfected it to his satisfaction. Once the song is on his computer screen, he takes a phrase from here, puts it there, or there, or there, or here again. Block by block, verse by verse, he builds up his song like a master craftsman. This not only lends the song a feeling that it’s raised from the earth, but also takes the filmmaker’s picturisation one step ahead of what was planned.

Those who have worked closely with him often talk about the way in which he keeps dabbling, fiddling and experimenting with new sounds and new rhythms till the point where his compositions start acquiring its distinct visual qualities. If, for example, one is listening to ‘Dil ye bechain hai...’ (Taal), it’s easier to come up with its beautiful picturisation script -- the softer colours, the dense fog lifting, the girl emerging like a palpable apparition etc. -- than say, if the track wouldn’t have the kind of textures Rahman has detailed it with.

Overall, Rahman has been greatly responsible to bring about a remarkable technological sophistication in the recordings, through his latest techniques. His studio, started as Panchathan Record Inn in 1989, is arguably India’s most well-equipped and advanced recording studio today. The Inn, where he started experimenting in sound engineering, design and production, today also houses Asia’s most comprehensive sonic library.

Rahman’s oeuvre, much like his music, takes a while to grow on you. His music can leave you numb with ecstasy, with its zing as well as its substance. On his private front however, this shy and reclusive music wizard would rather concentrate on the task at hand, instead of getting affected by the trappings of phenomenal success.

http://www.screenindia.com/20020705/mcov.html :love:

I play my Salute to the composer and critic both here!



Edited By arsh on July 06 2002 at 00:52

Great article...thanks arsh. Although I did not have to read know to that he is a genius...just listen to his songs. As always my conclusion is that AR Rahman is the greatest musician living in India right now or ever was.

A.R. Rahman - probably the single greatest inspiration in my life. No film musician in India has ever come even close his level of genius, talent, sophistication and enterprise.

I am as great a fan of A.R. Rahman as any other and I feel he is one of the best composers India has ever produced, but I think you guys are being unfair to a lot of GREAT music composers from India who were as great if not greater than A> R. Rahman. I don't think I need to name them, since I am sure all of you will be able to list them out yourselves if you actually sat down and thought about it. I know I can.

To be fair, great MD's like RDB didn't have the technology to work with like ARR. ARR is the next RDB, it terms of revolutionizing how indian movie music is made. RDB and ARR are hands down my fav MDs...though all of the greats have done some incredible work in their time.

-Bh

You have my wholehearted agreement o that.