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Mani Ratnam on Ilayaraja, Rehman
Not too many people in the world would have had the opportunity to work with two top music directors of the world - both Ilayaraja and A R Rehman. And not many would readily answer a question on how to rate the two, and who was better in comparison. This is a question that one would prefer to duck.
However, ace director Mani Ratnam was candid in his assessment of the two music directors, when fans and music buffs posed this question at Landmark where a collection of DVDs of his films was released.
"Both Ilayaraja and Rehman are fantastic music directors and I had the good fortune to work with two great music directors," Mani said.
"However, they are poles apart - perhaps very little in common," added the director. When he said they are worlds apart, someone wanted to know whether he was referring to Ilayaraja working in the day, and Rehman late at night. Mani laughed and said he was referring to their style of working.
In fact, initially he had go through a culture shock, when Rehman was signed up for 'Roja'. Ilayaraja, once he made up his mind, would not make too many changes. With Rehman, it was different. He would keep adding to the song.
However, Mani Ratnam, put Ilayaraja on a higher pedestal, and lavished praise on the maestro's re-recording, so important for a film. Ilayaraja would look at the scene once, and immediately start giving notes to his assistants, as a bunch of musicians, hovering around him, would collect the notes for their instrument and go to their places. When the orchestra played out the notes, they would be perfect, not just in harmony but also in timing - the background score would commence exactly where it should and end at the exact place required, pointed out Mani Ratnam, amidst applause. Ilayaraja was a genius, he said, who could compose music with just one look at the scene.
However, for a director, there was just one handicap. "Ilayaraja will listen to you as you explain the scene, and what he intends to convey. Once the film rolls, Ilayaraja's gaze will be on the screen and a few seconds later, papers would go to the musicians giving them the score, and then there would be no further changes. A director can be taken by surprise at the speed of events. If at all you want to convey anything to Ilayaraja, it must be before he watches the shot (before the background score is added) on to the screen," said Mani amidst both laughter and applause.
There were several questions flung at Mani on why music was important to him and why he needed songs in hs films. Mani said he couldn't imagine his films without music. "Music is an integral part of my films. If you look at 'Anjali', 'Mouna Ragam' or 'Thalapathi' without music, it would be a different experience for the viewers. Similarly, Rehman's songs have been a big contributing factor too. Howeer, we directors do have problems in providing for songs while we do the screenplay! The toughest thing is to break the story to provide a song. I would like to do away with songs, but everyone wants songs in an Indian film."
Looking at P C Sreeram, who was seated in the front row, "Among the few who have made films without songs is Sreeram, who provided Kuruthipunal," Mani said.
"I like listening to songs, even watching clips of songs on TV but the tough thing is to provide songs in films," he added.
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