THE COMPLETE SOUTH INDIAN MOVIE MAGAZINE A WOMEN’S DAY SPECIAL

MARCH 2009 VOL 2 ISSUE 12 MONTHLY

S$4.00 Rs.40
TM

GIRLS, HOLD
YOUR HEARTS!
YUMMY KARTHI
IN THE HOUSE

FUNRAISERS!
COMEDIENNES OF THE
YESTERYEARS

DIVA IN THE
MAKING
ANJALI RAJGOPAL

BOXING GLOVES
- GORGEOUS STARLETS
TURN ACTION CHICKS

AR RAHMAN

THE GOLDEN
MAN BRINGING HOME OSCAR GLORY
ARR’S QUOTES ON THE HONOUR
- AN EXCLUSIVE!
THROUGH THE EYES OF ASHANTI
- THE TRI-NATIONAL WRITER’S STORY ON ARR
AWARDS FEVER
- A PHOTOBOOK
FRIENDSHIP, ASSOCIATION, EXPERIENCE
- T. SELVAKUMAR ON BEING ARR’S BUDDY AND PARTNER
PHOTOGRAPHY: G. VENKET RAM PICS COURTESY: ‘S’ MAGAZINE, SATHYAM CINEMAS
 COOL STUFF
GOD SPEAKS!
We were saving this great man’s gyan for a time like
this, a time when he has shown the world that he is
among the planet’s bests when it comes to making
music. It is understandable that we were literally dying ng
to hear what double Oscar-winner A.R. Rahman’s take ke
on technology is...
“Apple products are definitely cooler than any others,” s,”
he says, while talking of friend and colleague
T. Selvakumar’s Apple and Steinberg training centre,
Audio Media Inc. In our own conversations with ARR,,
we found out that he is a lover of technology. With the he
help of his close friends, he researches, tries out andd
buys equipment, software and technology like no onee
else in the industry. (Which is probably why he has the he
finest recording studio in the country!) “I use a lot off
technology, be it in my recordings or in processing my
music. And why not?! This is the age when we imbibee
traditional elements like voices, instruments and
mood into music that is ultimately, digitally mixed andnd
mastered beauty lies in the ears of the listener!” True. e.
Thus, A.R. Rahman’s studios house only Mac products, ts,
from wide screens to editing software to plugins. Wee
can’t think of a better ambassador for Apple products! ts!

Gen
M U SI

E T
N X Stuff
XT R E M E COOL

Ok. We can give you a whole bunch of o the usual pitch of how good this very cool phone is:
It’s got amazing stereo speakers, so even a hands-free experience is superb. It has a built-in 2mpx camera
which zooms to 2.5mpx and has some impressive imagery features like photo fix and picture blogging
and more. The phone has Bluetooth 2ADC stereo and the music player plays MP3s as well as AACs and
has TrackID and PlayNow technology. Add to this, some cool everyday stuff like complete web browsing
technology, 10MB memory in the phone with a compatibility of up to 4GB on external memory disk.
But the hottest thing to do today is not a great utilitarian phone, but a phone that is equipped for motion
gaming. Yes, move the phone around as if it were a Wii dock and you’re all set for some virtual thrills
with mobile gaming. The Sony Ericsson F305 comes with 11 pre-loaded games. On the gaming list are
everything from sport to adventure to thrills, like Bowling, Bass fishing, Jockey, Johnny Crash™ Stuntman
Does Texas, Tropical Madness™, Racing Fever™ GT, The Sims™ 2, Jewel Quest™ 2, Lumines™, Asteroids™
and Quadrapop™ Robotics.
Didn’t we say it was cracking technology right around the corner from your home? Well, it is. And that
just adds to the xtreeeeeem coolness of this gadget.
(The Sony Ericsson F305 is available at Univercell Mobile Showrooms across the region. Price on request.
Univercell, you mobile expert.)

Sony Ericsson F 305

24 GALATTA CINEMA |MARCH 2009
MERE PAAS MA HAI - MY MOTHER IS WITH ME, AS ARE HER BLESSINGS
ALL MY LIFE, I HAD A CHOICE BETWEEN HATE AND LOVE. I CHOSE LOVE.
YELLAAM PUGALUM IRAIVANUKKEY - ALL PRAISE IS TO THE LORD
TO ME, MUSIC IS THE EYE OF THE HEART
IF MY MUSIC BRINGS PEOPLE CLOSER, IT IS THE GREATEST AWARD
I WANT MY MUSIC TO CREATE PEACE AND HARMONY
- WORDS FROM A.R. RAHMAN’S HEART

SIMPLY
THE BEST A.R. RAHMAN
THE YOUNG MAESTRO SPEAKS OUT MUSIC, LOVE
AND THE AWARDS FEVER
It is unimaginable how down to earth, intelligent and sensitive a man of such superstardom
could be. But AR is all of that and he makes you believe that music, love for people and
an innate spirituality truly make this man; and make him so great, says SHAKTHI GIRISH, who
recounts her conversation with him and words from the heart of this young super-achiever.

The Oscars have brought me great respect and my family and country great happiness and honour. I am
thankful for that. But one of the most important things all these awards have brought me (and us) is the
number of avenues opening up for international collaboration and greater realms of making music. A
while ago, it was not very easy to work with music stars from different cultures - they wouldn’t even have
the time to look at an appointment - but now, they are calling us, they are exposed to our culture. It is a
boon for passionate musicians like me.

It would be childish to try and choose between albums and talk about whether the Slumdog soundtrack
is better than the others and therefore worth winning an Oscar for. It is not the music alone or any other
technical aspect, it is how each part of the movie contributes to the entire movie itself. The essence and
message of Slumdog Millionaire is hope, optimism and love; qualities I myself have chosen in my life.

These Oscars are my babies; like two babies I have carried back home all the way from Los Angeles! But
winning them made me a little poetic and sentimental (or is a better word, philosophical?). Which is probably
why all that stuff about my mother, God and family came out of my mouth! But it’s the truth...

It is heartwarming to see my fans’ adoration. It is satisfying to see the musical avenues

all my awards have opened up for me. It is thrilling to work with different musicians
and different music influences to create melodious magic. It is security to know that
my family and friends are there to support me. What more can a person like me
want! My passion is music and through my spirtual learnings, I have learnt to
embrace peace and love within myself and for the people around me. I truly
believe this has enhanced my music influences. I don’t just believe in God, I have
the greatest of faith and unshaken loyalty to him.
HONOURING A TRUE GENIUS A
1989: Dileep, becomes Allah
Rakha Rahman as his entire
1966: On January family converts to Islam.
6th AS Dileep 1977: Dileep, who lost his dad when he was nine, has He then joins drummer A
Kumar is born to a family to take care of and he joins Maestro Ilayaraja Sivamani in the band Roots
music composer RK as his keyboardist. He also plays for other legendary as a keyboardist. But with
Shekhar. Little did musicians such as M. S. Viswanathan, Ramesh Naidu, budding aspirations, it’s not
his family realise that Zakir Hussain, Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan and L. long before he starts his own
they had welcomed Shankar. He then earns a scholarship to Trinity College band Nemesis Avenue, for
a musical genius into of Music in London, where he graduates with a degree which he plays the keyboard,
their family. in Western classical music. piano, synthesiser and

1998-2002: His first
crossover film was Deepa
Mehta’s Fire in 1998.
Then came Dil Se, di-
rected by Mani Ratnam
and starring SRK. 1999
saw Subhash Ghai’s Taal
but it was Lagaan (2001)
that fetched ARR his
first National Award for
a Hindi movie. Beauti-
ful Alaipayuthey (Mani
again) came in 2002.
2002-04: Non-Indian 2005-07: Time for 2008-2009: This was the
shores beckon - music technology and paral- time for some of his best
for the Chinese movie lel cinema. AM studios works - Jodha Akbar,
Warriors of Heaven and came into being in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na,
Earth, with Andrew 2006, as did his music Ghajini and Slumdog
Lloyd Webber for the label KM Musiq. Rang Millionaire for Train-
West End show Bom- De Basanti topped spotting-fame Danny
bay Dreams and with charts, Deepa Mehta’s Boyle. What started as
a Finnish band for the Water, Jag Mundhra’s a BG score, ended up
BG score of Lord of the Provoked and Shekhar as an album and movie
Rings. Plus, he gets his Kapur’s Elizabeth: The that won Golden Globes,
4th National Award for Golden Age. Golden BAFTAs and of course,
Kannathil Muthamittal. years for him indeed! the precious Oscars.

ACCLAIM AND ACCOLADES

Much before the Golden Globe-BAFTA-Oscars hype, ARR was everyone’s favourite award-winner with unmatched
acclaim for his indigenous and international work. He is a 4-time National Award winner for movies like Roja, Minsaara
Kanavu, Lagaan and Kannathil Muthamittal. He has won 7 Civilian Awards for his contribution to music, which includes
the Padmashree Award in 2000, the Mahavir Mahatma Award by the Oneness Foundation in 2005 and the Stanford
University Award for his contribution to global music in 2006. ARR is also possibly one of the most frequent receipients
of the Filmfare Awards, given that he has received, upto 2009, a whopping 180 Filmfare Awards in the field of music! In
his homestate Tamilnadu, ARR is a 6-time State Award winner. Smaller, but also prestigious awards too add to his trophy
collection. He has won the Express Screen Award 9 times in various music-related categories for his work in Hindi and
Tamil. His non-“filmi” Vande Mataram also won him a Screen Award in 1998. At the International Indian Film Awards
(IIFA), he has been lauded with eight awards for his music in movies such as Taal, Lagaan, Saathiya, Rang De Basanthi
and Guru; while his music for Rang De Basanti won him two Global Indian Film Awards (GIFA) in 2007. If this weren’t
enough, ARR has also won a host of other awards including nine Zee Cine Awards, three Dinakran Cine Awards, four
Cinema Express Awards and four Kalasaagar Awards. But asked about all this acclaim, all this reticent musician has to
say is, “The love of my fans is more precious, but now, I need a bigger display shelf!”

GENIUS FACTOR... ALL IN THE FAMILY

RAIHANAH - SISTER G.V. PRAKASH - NEPHEW
She wasn’t just the singer in Sivaji Once a devoted student and
The Boss’ Balleilakka; but from a fan of his famous uncle, G.V.
young age, ARR would practise Prakash has now made a name
his music-making skills on her by for himself with his signature
making her croon to his composi- mildly AR-inspired, yet original
tions. Even today, she is one of music for Tamil cinema from
the first people he turns to as a the time he was a mere teenager,
sounding board for his ideas. like in Veyyil and Pollaadhavan.
WINNER’S JOURNEY
1992-93: Indian cinema tastes the
thunder of Rahman’s sensational
music, first in Roja[Tamil], Mani
Ratnam’s critically acclaimed master
piece and second time in the Hindi
adaptation of the same movie. ARR
was a force to reckon with from the
start. Did we forget to mention the
twin National awards he won for
Roja(Tamil)?
1996-97: ARR wins
his second National
Award for his musical
compositions for Rajeev
Menon’s Minsara
Kanavu, which also gets
a Bollywood adaptation
1994-95: ARR continues making waves in and brings singer KK
Indian music, this time around with the Tamil into the limelight.
and Hindi versions of Shankar’s Kadhalan His rendition of the
starring Prabhudeva. But it’s in the fag end of National Anthem for
1995, that he stuns Bollywood’s biggy music Bharat Bala’s video
composers with his first original album in commemorating 50 years
Hindi, for the movie Rangeela! Yai Re and of Independence is a
Tanha are run away hits! massive hit.

MOMENTS OF GLORY

09
ARS - 20
THE OSC

SHY GUY OPENS UP

It is no secret that A.R. Rahman is quite a
reticent person and not given to garrulous
media speeches. But when he speaks, it’s clear
that it’s all straight from the heart. For Indians
the world over, especially Tamilians, it was THE FILMFARE AWARDS
such a heartwarming moment when he said
his praises to the Lord in Tamil, in front of SUNFEAST MUSIC AWARDS
millions of international Oscar-fans. At every
other award ceremony too, be it the Tamilnadu
State Awards or the Filmfare Awards or even
Golden Globes or BAFTA; he keeps his words
short and simple and always remembers to
thank his family, colleagues and Allah for
GOLDEN GLOBE - 2009
showing him the way of love through music.

NEW YORK CRITICS AWARD - 2009

AT THE
BAFTA
AWAR
DS - 20
ROUND & ABOUT
WORDS OF PRAISE
MR. AVM SARAVANAN
AVM PRODUCTIONS
This boy has brought pride and
honour to this industry and the
nation. From the time we worked
with him in Sivaji and even before, we
knew he is one of the most talented
and brilliant musicians. Now he
has proved us all right and proud.
I heartily congratulate him for his
personal success, the pride to his field
and the avenues he has opened up for
other deserving talent.
PIC COURTESY: AKIN AWORAN
WWW.AWORAN.COM
SINGER CHINMAYI
He wants us to use our own
skills and do what we want at
the mike. But he cleverly guides
us in our own way into his
direction, thereby achieving the
sound he wants! Which means,
while we’re getting our song
piece right, he is thinking of
its nuances in the entire score,
the big picture! He is a good
musician and a great guru!
38 GALATTA CINEMA |MARCH 2009
NOELL JAMES
- MANAGER, BUDDY
I know AR since the time we used to
play music together. It is a matter of
great pride, affection and nostalgia to
see how he has ‘arrived’. His energy is
limitless and for people who are close
to him and understand him, there is no
better place to work!
ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER
- FILMMAKER
He is one of the most versatile music
composers I know. I would be so proud if
I am known more for having introduced
him to the Western cinematic world than
through any of my other work!
Music is my passion. And while
I have worked for many years in
traditional music arrangements
and systems, typical “kacheri”-
style technology, I wanted more,
edgier dimensions. I wanted to
go wild a little, I think. Which
is why the combination of
traditional and modern music
and technology is so appealing
to me.
[It seems contrary that
someone who has found peace,
spirituality and the concept of
love over hate so young... can
also talk of “going wild” and
exploring different musical
arenas.]
I love collaborations. On a
score-by-score level or on a full
album or project level. I like
to hear different sounds from
different artists and cultures.
That’s me.
?!
Did you know? Just before
ARR was to return to India, our
ancient entry rules posed a
problem and as per duty-free
alllowances, ARR would have
had to pay the price of one
more Oscar statuette as duty
for his honour, as well as tax on
any cash award given... that is,
until former Finance Minister
P. Chidambaram intervened
and recommended a waiver.
Wha-aat?!
“A great soundtrack is WORKS OF A MASTER
like ‘Laura’s theme’,
the ‘Love Story’
theme, ‘Chariots of
MUSIC FOR THE WORLD
Fire’ and all those
sorts of things, where
it stood by itself,” he
said. But recently, he’s
noticed a changing
mood. “Now it is
becoming too abstract
and more ambient and
more... I don’t know,
soundscape-ish, more
than melody. People
are afraid of melody:
‘Oh, that melody is
distracting my scene,’
it is becoming like
that.And that brings
fresh challenges for the
makers of film music.”
- A.R. RAHMAN,
AS TOLD TO CNN

“Even John Williams

had to wait for four
years between one
Oscar and the next.
But Rahman went
there with three
nominations in one
year and returned with
two Oscars!” There is
no bigger felicitation
than being honoured
by one’s own family,
the music family. He is
the man who has been
chosen to receive the
honour for India itself!
I am proud of him.”
- MAESTRO
ILAYARAJA

It was a thrill to work

with A.R. Rahman,
during Elizabeth - The
Golden Age. His is
modern, restless music.
Craig Armstrong
(totally different style!) SNIPPETS FROM 2 DECADES OF MUSIC
and he would sit
together and just jam.
From this came great Rahman doesn’t even write what’s thought of as world music. He writes a world of music
music. It was awe- - so broad and deep, so instantly likeable and lastingly satisfying, it IS the whole world. I
inspiring!” hope that, sometime soon, our part of the world catches up with Rahman. Until we do, an
- SHEKHAR important part of our internal jukebox will be bereft.
KAPUR - RICHARD CORLISS, FOR TIME
WONDER YEARS
As a refreshing change from all
the Oscar blitzing we’ve all been
having over the last few days, we
thought we’d walk you through
A.R. Rahman’s younger years,
where he sought guidance from
veterans in the cinema field,
even as he stunned them with his
simple musical genius. Here are
some glimpses into the life of a
superbly skilled young man who is
now internatioanlly acclaimed as
a world master of music... Great men, great words - with M.S. Viswanathan Tabled views - with K. Balachander

So long ago! Listening to the concept

Making music for Thenaali - with Kamal Haasan and director K.S. Ravikumar from director Shankar

Friends, mentors, loyalists - Mani Rat- This is how it all began - the keyboard that became his The wisdom of Kavignar Vaali
nam and poet Vaali passion and vehicle for his exceptional tunes

ARR, who has the whole world grooving to his tunes, shouting out Jai Ho, started out as the keyboardist and programmer
for several legendary Indian musicians. The Punnagai Mannan theme music, that still rings in your ears and on your
moblie phones, is probably one of the early hints ARR gave us that he would soon thunder onto the cine scene. He was
for a long time, a shy musical genius and two Oscars later he has metamorphosised into a more extroverted guy, with
witticisms fast coming in. From Ilayaraja to M.S. Vishwanathan, Chitra to Sadanasargam, Vairamuthu to Vaali, everyone
he’s worked with were awed by the young hardworking Dileep, that’s whom they knew then. And now the world looks up
at him, his music and his humility in complete awe. There shall alway be naysayers, who choose to be deaf to his notes,
but may they all take note, that he has never been touched by their jibes, especially now with the world tuned into him!
GALATTA CINEMA | MARCH 2009 41

KMMC - A VISION & DREAM
Part of ARR’s small and trusted circle of friends and partners is
Mr. T. SELVAKUMAR, MD of KM Music Conservatory and head of the
state-of-the-art training school AudioMedia Inc. He knows ARR for years
and is his most trusted source for technology guidance and partner-
ship. Here he speaks of his experiences, their history together, on being
KMMC’s MD and in sharing ARR’s dreams every step of the way.
My relat
relationship with ARR
goes back
bac to 1994; I used to
be a Rh
Rhythm Programmer
for Raj Koti, for whom
ARR was w the main
Keyboard
Keybo Programmer. I
hail fro
from Madurai, where
I did m my schooling in
TVS L Lakshmi Higher
Secondary
Secon School and
a Bachelor’s
Bac Degree
in MMusic at Sathguru
Sangeetha
Sang Vidyalaya,
then came to Chennai
in 1
1986 to start my
career
car as a musician.
I have
hav done over 18
albums for HMV, consisting of 5 volumes of
the then-famous Ulavum Thendral Series (remixes of old
Tamil hits), Nila Nila Odi Vaa (Tamil Nursery rhyme project)
with Mrs. Latha Rajinikanth and also did a pop album for
Shalini. In 1993, I stated Audio Media, one of the earliest
hard disk recording studios. In 1997, we started Audio
Media Inc.; this company was the first distributor in India
for Steinberg, the company which made the Cubase VST and
Nuendo software, and we got in the business of setting up
audio studios for musicians and music Directors.
This is when I started a strong rapport with ARR, a music
technology wizard. We used to spend hours together
discussing technology. As a seller of music software and
hardware, I travel all round the globe to tie up distribution for
the latest music technology software and ARR used to be the
first user of all my products.
THE VISION OF ARR
Subsequently, we developed a strong business relationship
with Apple Computers, and got in video and visual
technology markets as well, In August 2003, I attended the
Apple Pro Training in Singapore, became India’s first Apple-
Certified Trainer for Apple Final Cut Pro Video editing
software and started Audio Media Education, which is
India’s first and only Apple Certified Training Center to offer
Apple Certified Courses for FCP Editing, Shake for Visual
effects and Logic Pro for Music Production. I also worked
as Software Beta tester for Apple Final Cut Pro and Cinema
Tools, for Steinberg for Nuendo. I have also designed and
produced the Indian Samples and Styles for Yamaha’s latest
Indian Keyboard I 425.
KM Music Conservatory, A.R. Rahman’s dream, is now a
reality. It started in the last week of December 2007, when I
met ARR at his A.M. Studio to discuss our favourite subject –
music technology. He was just asking me how my school was
doing; I said that it was the best thing that ever happened to
me. Then he talked about his long-cherished dream to start a
Music School in Chennai.
We jointly decided that ARR will start a Music School and
his students will learn Music Technology at Audio Media
Education. We invited some experts in to get their opinions
to start a Music Conservatory in Chennai; most of them
said it would take at least two years to set up such a project.
Knowing ARR well enough over the years, I knew if he
wants something, he wants it NOW and will not wait for two
years. So he asked if I could head the school as its Managing
Director and start the school in time for the next academic
year (June 2008).
The six month-period from January to June was an
unforgettable experience in my life. Initially, we did not have
any other faculty or staff. It was just two of us, we spent
sleepless nights trying to figure out a school that would fulfil
our vision and at the same time give students an unforgettable
music education.
This is a period where I had to shut myself from all activities;
I even had to forget about my own company Audio Media.
ARR and I used to meet, usually late at night, to discuss our
vision of the school.
We revealed the idea with our first press release on Jan 6th
2008, his birthday.
The most unforgettable experience was producing our
KMMC promo video. First we had several versions, but ARR
was not satisfied with any of them. So he was personally
present for over eight hours to finalize the video edit. Then
came the sound; he was not satisfied till he was convinced
that it sounded good. So we got our promo video ready at
6 a.m. on the day of the press conference. Both of us had
to arrange everything from cars for the members of the
Advisory Board (Mr. Ghulam Ali Mustafa Khan and Mr. L.
Subramaniyam) to arranging for food and beverages for the
press. We finally landed in the hall as zombies, as we had not
slept for 48 hours to get everything in place.
We finally did it! We had over 500 applicants, of which we
auditioned and selected 40 students for the full-time music
foundation programme and 60 Students for the part time
preparatory programme and opened the school in July 2008.
Our first International faculty was Mr. Joshua Pullock,
an American citizen from London, who has a Master’s
degree in Violin. Through him, we got in touch with Robertt
Koolsra from the Netherlands for Harpsichord and Piano,
Shata Elinboggen for Viola from Canada and Edith Martin
for Cello from Scotland.
Through ARR’s friend Mr. Srinivas Krishnan, we found
Michale for Percussion and Alison for Harp and Music
Theory from USA. We also got Ms. Kavitha Baliga from
USA through ARR’s old musician friend Mr. Guitar
Prasanna. If you go to our site, www.kmmc.in, you can get et
all your info on the school and its people.
industry professionals. From the start of this year, we had
workshops by veteran musicians like Dr. L. Subramaniyan,
Selva Ganesh, Rajesh Vaidhya, playback singer Hariharan,
Leslie Lewis, Kalz Broyl from USA (Han Zimmer’s Keyboard
Programmer).
At KMMC, the students undergo music training in both
Western and Indian Music, as well as intensive music
technology training. The idea behind this is that today, in this
competitive digital world, every musician, whether a singer,
violinist or a pianist, needs to have strong Music Technology
background. So we offer the best of both worlds to students
so every student always has a fallback plan. There is a great
demand for Music Producers in today’s industry; today’s
Audio Engineer has to be a good musician to be successful.
When ever I go to ARR’s Panchatan studio, I see hundreds of
CDs lying around, which are demos sent by aspiring playback
singers from all over the world. Unfortunately, he does not
have time to listen to all of them, but every month, he listens
to all our KM student performances which alone is a rare
privilege for aspiring singers and musician. If ARR spots
talent, he does not hesitate to use them immediately.
The vision of KM Music Conservatory is to make ARR’s
dream a reality in having an orchestra with our own students.
We are working towards that dream and it will soon be a
reality. You can find out more on KMMC and Audio Media
Education at www.kmmc.in and www.audiomedia.in

Audio Media has produced excellent technicians for the

Film, Video and Visual effects industry in India. We
have Certified more than 125 students on Apple Pro
Applications who are all working in Media Houses
like AVM Studios, Prasad Studios, NDTV, Sun TV
and Pixion to name a few. Director
Gautham Menon is our Alumnus, and
Music Composer Vijay Antony was
working as a Sound Engineer for over
two years in Audio Media before he got
his first break in the film industry.
In addition to this qualified faculty at
KMMC and Audio Media, we have
weekly workshops conducted by music

Top: A.R. Rahman and students

of KMMC who took part in the
Martin Luther King III concert
Bottom: Editing training room at
AudioMedia Inc.
PHOTOGRAPHY: T. SELVAKUMAR
FROM CHENNAI TO
A.R. RAHMAN
- IN GLIMPSES ALONG THE YEARS...

He’s been described as many things: Chennai’s Tchaikovsky, an adored

son and brother, an exemplary husband and father, the list goes on... With
nearly 200 awards, ranging from an honorary Doctorate to Padma Shri
and most recently, the coveted double Oscar, the Golden Globe and the
BAFTA on the international platform – the absolute highest honours a film
composer can be awarded.

I’ve caught many glimpses of ARR, as he’s fondly known to his legion of
fans around the world. Every meeting is like a divine blessing – he fills the
room with energy, positive vibes, goodwill, compassion and humour.

It is not just his spirituality which sets him apart; he is genuinely a special
human being – he is one of those few who totally surrender to their
spiritual teachers, allowing their hubris to be removed while spreading the
word of love as opposed to hate. He is also somewhat a chosen one, a man
sent to educate, build and even work towards eradicating poverty.

In the decade I have known him (thanks to world percussionist A.

Sivamani introducing us), there is one prevalent factor in his psyche – he
is kind and generous, a trait his benevolent mother has imbibed in him, an
attribute all his family members possess. From a first encounter in London
where meeting a personal hero couldn’t have been more special with all
my expectations met, to catching him just after his BAFTA win (again in
Central London), the man behind the genius has not changed one little bit.

ARR keeps himself well-grounded, and while innovating at every step of

the way, be it music or marketing, there is a sheer brilliance to every step
he takes. While reinventing the sound quality of Indian films back in the
early nineties, technology was always his friend. In fact, he shared with me
an early memory of buttons – his father had been an enthusiast and thus
his son carries on the legacy. Many a conversation has been had about the
latest gadget and I proudly treasure a fabulous audio device he presented to
me after an interview.

Experimentation is another consort of ARR – he layers voices and sounds,

creates sounds like broken glass, asks for only the wind of a flute to be used
instead of the full throttle, works with acapellas and 4 part harmonies,
layers Jazz chords over Carnatic melodies, mixes Ragas (modes) to
produce heady melodies with just enough of the Classical juxtaposing with
Contemporary. Fusion had already come to Tamil film music, but he took
it to another level, especially working with his trusted friend and Sound
Engineer, the late H. Sridhar, whose knowledge of Occidental and Oriental
music combined with ARR’s genius created – sheer magic.

While making one incredibly comfortable in the studio, having the patience
of a saint and pushing singers and instrumentalists to find their ultimate
limits, ARR always worked to create a unique sound. Once the belief that
extraordinary things can be achieved is imbibed in one, incredible sounds
can be produced. Allowing musicians the freedom to express themselves
(and thus become a part of the music intrinsically) makes his music
appealing even to the most untrained of ears. Thus his fan base grows with
the African listener embracing songs like ‘Minsara Kanna’ from Padayappa
LONDON WITH ARR BY ASHANTI
ASHANTI OMKAR is a writer
and lover of music. In her
and ‘Marghazhi Thingal’ from Sangamam while the Americans dance to years in the media field,
the sounds of ‘Jai Ho’. where she has written
for several online and
Sharing a story about recording every sound in the studio from a cough to offline publications, she
a laugh to a riyaaz (Lata Mangeshkar’s ‘Jiya Jale’ from Dil Se) to a baby
crying (his niece, GV’s sister Bhavani, who cried in perfect pitch), he is
has interviewed and
never afraid to then mix and use unusual sounds in moulding songs. Every done stories on several
time one hears a song of his, something new can be gleaned – a factor international celebrities.
many of his fans rave about. However complex the track, he gives it an She is of Sri Lankan birth,
edge that allows the regular listener to glean and enjoy the beat, the melody now Londoner, almost-
or the brand new voice they have been presented with. He also innovated
by crediting musicians on his CD covers and also following the Western
Indian and definitely
model in terms of music copyrights. global in outlook. WIth her
husband, photographer
Working with international musicians like Andrew Lloyd Webber, M.I.A., AKIN AWORAN, she
Kylie Minogue, Vanessa Mae, Värttinä, Christopher Nightingale, Craig breathes freshness into
Armstrong, Reena Bhardwaj and also finding and building an international
team has been one of A.R. Rahman’s divine foresights. From his London-
her stories, with intriguing
based lawyer Simon Long to his Los Angeles-based agent Sam Schwartz, angles, a personal touch
he has made the best decisions which are not normally monetary-based. and Akin’s fabulous visuals.
Especially in the case of Slumdog Millionaire – his Oscar winning work – Ashanti has known ARR for
he chased the dream of producing his best; his work ethic, which is second years and here are Akin’s
to none, meant that God showered him with accolades.
and her words on their
I recollect watching the Hindi film Taal (By Subash Ghai, starring friendship with
Aishwarya Rai, Akshaye Khanna) with Andrew Lloyd Webber, his wife A.R. Rahman...
Madeline, A. Sivamani and his wife Krashani. Andrew sat next to me and
constantly proclaimed A.R. Rahman’s genius during the background music
and songs as he was working on Bombay Dreams. Andrew also recounted
a story of Shekhar Kapur giving him hundreds of Indian music tracks
and how Andrew consistently picked A.R. Rahman’s works, thus leading
to Bombay Dreams happening. It changed the UK’s view on all things
Indian; thus in Central London cinemas today, Tamil and Hindi films can
be watched alongside Hollywood films, consistently topping the box office
charts.

Submission to a higher power is something all humans strive to do; ARR

does this in abundance; thus his achievements grow and grow. A man of
his word, he has made so many sacrifices; with no bad habits consuming
his time, with his willingness to learn, he is a man of pure heart. Another
thing I have learned from him is the value
of reading, he is exceptionally learned
– from Sufism, music, magazines on the
latest technology, to internet articles, he’s
constantly criticizing himself while also
learning how to better himself at every
stage.

He frequently scours the internet for

fans’ feedback and wish-lists, which he
then strives to fulfil with more new and
innovative music. He will give up things
he loves just to gain willpower – he will
starve, forego all material things and
makes it a point to spend a lot of time
 PICTURES IN THIS ARTICLE AND
IN THE COVER FEATURE ITSELF
HAVE BEEN SHOT BY AKIN
AWORAN

48 GALATTA CINEMA |MARCH 2009

IMMERSED IN HIS PASSION FOR MUSIC
with teachers who keep his ego in check. This
is what I believe allows him to come up with
pioneering music.
In fact, the very first article
and interview I did was for a
reggae magazine. Suffice to
say, it included a lot about A.R.
Rahman. From his bringing
Indian music to London via
Bombay Dreams to Apache
Indian, my first interviewee spoke about his
experiences with A.R. Rahman for the film
Love Birds. I had emailed ARR about the
piece and his words of encouragement kept
me going from a career in IT to being a full-
time journalist – I’ve indeed been honoured to
interview him a few times too.
The A.R. Rahman/ Apache Indian song ‘No
problem’ which professed: ‘Ulagamellaam
namma Tamil paatu’ certainly was fulfilled on
the Oscar stage by uttering 3 Tamil words, ‘Ella
pugazhum irvanukku’ and made history for the
Tamil Diaspora all over the world!
3 young musicians give their insights into
A.R. Rahman
Bindu Seetaa Subramaniam (Vocalist,
Songwriter – Bangalore)
I had the opportunity of meeting A.R. Rahman
and playing some of my music to him because
of my father Dr. L. Subramaniam. My father
has known ARR’s family since the 1960s
and ARR has often expressed respect and
admiration for the work my dad has done over
the years.
ARR was kind enough to listen to a couple of the English tracks that
I’ve been working on for my album and was extremely encouraging.
He really listened and in addition to being appreciative, he offered
constructive advice and the use of his fabulous studio. I was incredibly
touched and felt blessed by the interaction.
T. Pirashanna (Percussionist - London)
Watching ARR’s Dubai concert as a teenager in my West London home
was my first real dalliance with his prolific vastness. I had never before
seen a concert of that magnitude. After watching that concert, I decided
to pursue music and I am now en route to this being a career. Over
time, songs like ‘Jagge Hain’ from Guru, ‘Thamizha Thamizha’ and his
qawwalis are constantly playing on my Ipod.
Recently, I have been deeply moved by ARR’s philosophical side. His
simple ideas of one being honest and focusing on giving one’s best to
work proves that awards and accolades will come without one pursuing
them.
Fortunately, I have had the pleasure of meeting ARR twice; at his
fabulous AM studios Chennai and in Central London, where I
interviewed him about the film Provoked. On both occasions, the first
thing I had noticed was his simplicity and level-headedness.
Sometimes it baffles you to see some one of his stature to be so simple
and down-to-earth – a surreal experience. I adore is his attitude towards
encouraging new and young musicians in a competitive, volatile
industry. Now there is a definitive bridge between the East and the
West, a pathway for musicians of tomorrow. He simply chose to love
everything in his life, how very profound. Thank you, ARR.
S. Pavani (Vocalist, BMus Trinity College, London)
I still have vivid memories of sitting on my dad’s lap as a toddler in cold
and gloomy East London, watching Tamil movies and dreaming of this
faraway beautiful land where the grand and extravagant music of A.R.
Rahman filled the air. My first favourite song of ARR’s was ‘Pudhu
vellai mazhai’.
ARR’s music was extremely influential in my decision of taking up
music full time. I learned to understand and make connections of how
film music had its roots in classical music. In my journey of pursuing an
Indian music degree in western society, I find many strong parallels.
Dr. Balamuralikrishna, one of my gurus, often tells me, “Carnatic music
is what is beautiful and melodious to the ears.” This also stands for
a lot of beautiful compositions of ARR which fit the Classical bill. I
often find myself discussing ARR’s achievements with Carnatic vocalist
Sikkil C. Gurucharan while we eagerly work towards taking classical
music to the world peaks.
My wishes and prayers are to the Almighty for many more special
achievements and blissful musical moments for ARR and his family.
(Read Ashanti’s works on www.omkari.com and see Akin’s visuals
on www.aworan.com)

RAHMANIACS ON THE NET
It is logical that a man who embraces technology as much as A.R. Rah-
man would also have a huge fan following on the Internet. Well, did you
know that ARR’s online fanbase is bigger than even Rajinikanth’s, many
times over (the Superstar has the biggest for an Indian star)?! It is a plea-
sure to feature here, some of the single biggest and most interactive ones.
ORKUT
2
A.R. Rahman’s online presence is not restricted
to just huge communities on popular network-
ing sites. There are thousands of individual blog
pages and websites put up by dedicated fans
who post some of the most interesting ARR in-
formation, either from all sorts of obscure press
reports or sometimes from personal experiences.
Music lovers and intellectuals too, like Ashanti

Omkar in London, have dedicated a lot of their

online space to this great musician. It is truly
awe-inspiring to see such devotion to one man!

FACEBOOK

5
With a whopping 5 lakh+ members, this
OVER

500,000
ARR community on Orkut is probably
the single largest on the Internet. Group
members here are of all ages, with Rah-
MEMBERS man being their common god. Many of
them are also members of other groups,
WHO’S IN IT: some almost as large as well (from 200
DIE-HARD to 2 lakh members). The Rahman up-
RAHMANIACS dates on this forum are sometimes even
THE WORLD OVER! faster than the official site!
GALATTA COMMUNITY
Started way back in 1999 by a young The Communities section
n on Galatta.com is but a few months old,
man named Gopal Sreenivasan (he of but here too A.R. Rahman has several growing communities!
the courteous, soft-spoken demeanour
and absolute faith in the music of ARR),
this Yahoogroups community was one
of the first ever officially endorsed fans-
pace for A.R. Rahman. Now numbering
nearly 15,000 dedicated members who
enjoy getting together online to talk
R
Rahman shop, this group also has the
u
unique honour of being recognised and
YAHOOGROUPS

eembraced by ARR himself. In fact, the

ggroup’s members involve themselves in
a lot of pro-Rahman musical activities
aand even meet with the man himself
o
once in a while. Says Gopal of this baby
h
he founded: I knew this would be a great
fforum to get every ARR fan together.
I didn’t know just how interactive and
h
huge it would get! It’s great!

OVER 14,000 GROUP MEMBERS

One of the 1st ARR Internet fanclubs
O