Director Mani Ratnam is like my brother:A.R Rahman

It started little late but the launch of AR Rahman’s book in a Juhu hotel was worth the wait. Rahman’s mother Kareema, wife Saira, sister Raihanah and bro-in-law flew down for the occasion - release of a biography by Nasreen Munni Kabir and published by Om Publishing House.

Others who came to wish the two time Oscar winner were Rahman’s mentor Mani Ratnam, showman Subhash Ghai, Ram Gopal Varma, Ashutosh Gowarikar, Imtiaz Ali, Govind Nihalani, Shyam Benegal, Javed Akhtar and Shivamani to name a few.

Mani Ratnam opened the lovely evening recalling his association with a `shy young’ child called Rahman who invited him to his so-called studio - a small shed with a swing outside it.

"The music he made me hear that day is as good as his music is today.

I am his big fan, but I am a greater admirer of him as a humble human being", declared Mani Sir. We briefly chatted up with Rahman post the event. In place of the shy and reserved music maestro is a suave and confident person who’s beaming with positivity.

Director Mani Ratnam is like my brother:A.R Rahman

It started little late but the launch of AR Rahman’s book in a Juhu hotel was worth the wait. Rahman’s mother Kareema, wife Saira, sister Raihanah and bro-in-law flew down for the occasion - release of a biography by Nasreen Munni Kabir and published by Om Publishing House.

Others who came to wish the two time Oscar winner were Rahman’s mentor Mani Ratnam, showman Subhash Ghai, Ram Gopal Varma, Ashutosh Gowarikar, Imtiaz Ali, Govind Nihalani, Shyam Benegal, Javed Akhtar and Shivamani to name a few.

Mani Ratnam opened the lovely evening recalling his association with a `shy young’ child called Rahman who invited him to his so-called studio - a small shed with a swing outside it.

"The music he made me hear that day is as good as his music is today.

I am his big fan, but I am a greater admirer of him as a humble human being", declared Mani Sir. We briefly chatted up with Rahman post the event. In place of the shy and reserved music maestro is a suave and confident person who’s beaming with positivity.

AR Rahman is in the race to win his second Golden Globe

Oscar winning Indian musician AR Rahman is in the race to win his second Golden Globe after being nominated in the Best Original Score category for his music in the Danny Boyle directed film ‘127 Hours’ today.
The 44-year-old singer-composer had won his first Golden Globe in 2009 in the same category for ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, the Mumbai based potboiler which was again directed by British filmmaker Boyle.
Rahman’s music in the film, starring James Franco as real-life mountain climber Aron Ralston, who cut off his arm to escape from beneath a boulder after being trapped for more than five days, had received good reviews for it’s “haunting tracks” and “wonderful crescendos.” The soundtrack includes ‘If I Rise’, a collaboration between Rahman and American popstar Dido.
The nominations to the coveted award were announced here today and Rahman’s competition includes Alexandre Desplat who was nominated for ‘The King’s Speech’, Danny Elfman who was nominated for ‘Alice in Wonderland’, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross who were jointly nominated for ‘The Social Network’ and Hans Zimmer who won a nod for his score in ‘Inception’.
The musician, known as the ‘Mozart of Madras’ had won two Oscars for his score in ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ at the 2009 Oscars, taking the film’s total haul to eight.

His song ‘Na Na’ from his Hollywood debut venture ‘Couple’s Retreat’, was longlisted in the ‘Best Original Song’ category at the 2010 Oscars but failed to win a nomination.

Rahman, who was honoured with a Padma Bhushan this year, had enjoyed a golden run at the 52nd Grammy Awards, where he had again bagged two gramophones for his music in the ‘Slumdog Millionaire’.

AR Rahman is in the race to win his second Golden Globe

Oscar winning Indian musician AR Rahman is in the race to win his second Golden Globe after being nominated in the Best Original Score category for his music in the Danny Boyle directed film ‘127 Hours’ today.
The 44-year-old singer-composer had won his first Golden Globe in 2009 in the same category for ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, the Mumbai based potboiler which was again directed by British filmmaker Boyle.
Rahman’s music in the film, starring James Franco as real-life mountain climber Aron Ralston, who cut off his arm to escape from beneath a boulder after being trapped for more than five days, had received good reviews for it’s “haunting tracks” and “wonderful crescendos.” The soundtrack includes ‘If I Rise’, a collaboration between Rahman and American popstar Dido.
The nominations to the coveted award were announced here today and Rahman’s competition includes Alexandre Desplat who was nominated for ‘The King’s Speech’, Danny Elfman who was nominated for ‘Alice in Wonderland’, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross who were jointly nominated for ‘The Social Network’ and Hans Zimmer who won a nod for his score in ‘Inception’.
The musician, known as the ‘Mozart of Madras’ had won two Oscars for his score in ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ at the 2009 Oscars, taking the film’s total haul to eight.

His song ‘Na Na’ from his Hollywood debut venture ‘Couple’s Retreat’, was longlisted in the ‘Best Original Song’ category at the 2010 Oscars but failed to win a nomination.

Rahman, who was honoured with a Padma Bhushan this year, had enjoyed a golden run at the 52nd Grammy Awards, where he had again bagged two gramophones for his music in the ‘Slumdog Millionaire’.

AR Rahman rocked in South Africa

AR Rahman rocked South Africa with his mesmerising tunes on November 20 at the Sun City Superbowl.

The music maestro’s performance was part of the 150th anniversary celebration of Indian presence in the country. Rahman was performing in SA for the first time and he was given a great welcome by the people.

It is also reported that Rahman would be performing at the 17th Annual Nobel Peace Prize Concert on December 11 in Oslo, Norway. This would be another feather in the cap of the musical genius. He would be joined on the stage by tgreat musicians such as Barry Manilow, Jamiroquai, India.Arie, Florence + The Machine, Herbie Hancock, Robyn, Elvis Costello and Colbie Caillat.

Rahman had won Oscars and Grammy for his score in Danny Boyle’s ’Slumdog Millionaire’. Now, his score for Boyle’s ’127 Hours’ is the talk of the music world.

AR Rahman rocked in South Africa

AR Rahman rocked South Africa with his mesmerising tunes on November 20 at the Sun City Superbowl.

The music maestro’s performance was part of the 150th anniversary celebration of Indian presence in the country. Rahman was performing in SA for the first time and he was given a great welcome by the people.

It is also reported that Rahman would be performing at the 17th Annual Nobel Peace Prize Concert on December 11 in Oslo, Norway. This would be another feather in the cap of the musical genius. He would be joined on the stage by tgreat musicians such as Barry Manilow, Jamiroquai, India.Arie, Florence + The Machine, Herbie Hancock, Robyn, Elvis Costello and Colbie Caillat.

Rahman had won Oscars and Grammy for his score in Danny Boyle’s ’Slumdog Millionaire’. Now, his score for Boyle’s ’127 Hours’ is the talk of the music world.

AR Rahman performing in Sydney Festival

The man who literally rocked the world with his music in Slumdog Millionaire is all set to do the act again. Yes, it is none other than the musical storm, the acclaimed Oscar-winning musician AR Rahman . He will be performing in a headline act at the world-famous Sydney Festival 2010 in Australia.

The maestro would be performing for about two and a half hours, and his music and dance show would involve 40+ artistes from Bollywood. ARR’s performance is scheduled on January 16 at Parramatta Park, Sydney at 7.30 pm.

The festival, the largest and most-attended annual event of Australia, is slated this year for January 9 to 30, 2010. The Festival will showcase music, dance and drama programs from artistes the world over. Hamlet from Germany, Giselle from Ireland, Oedipus Rex and Grizzly Bear from USA,Marcin Wasilewski from Poland, Toumani Diabate from Mali and Dark Matters from Canada are some of the other artistes to perform headline acts at the Festival.

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The greatest musicians of our time.MJ-A R Rahman

A R Rahman is shocked at the untimely passing away of Michael Jackson. “I am yet to find an artist with that energy, perfection and vision. He was one of the greatest musicians of our time.MJ for most of our generation was an icon who made uncompromising music.”

Elaborating on MJ’s contribution to world music Rahman says, “He pushed the milestone of pop music to unbelievable levels through the 80s and 90s.”

Rahman met MJ very recently for the first time. “I met him personally after the Oscars in Los Angeles and we vibed very well. He said that he loved India and the Indian people. He said he heard good things about me and he was praising the chord progression of Jai Ho’s chorus.”

Rahman was impressed by MJ’s exuberant adrenaline-pumping energy. MJ even danced for Rahman!

“He was bursting with energy and told me that every dance move he did came from his soul and did a five -second stunning example. It was like a lightning strike,”says Rahman.

They also spoke on global concerns. “He was concerned about developmental issues such as Global Warming and about wars and its damages to the human community.He asked me to compose a unity anthem on the likes of "We are the World " for him. I nodded in awe.”

MJ introduced Rahman to his children. “He introduced me to his three lovely bright Kids. The kids told him, ‘I love you dad’ and he replied, ‘I love you more’ as a proud father.I wished him well for his concerts and he said, ‘God Bless you’.

Growing pensive Rahman who recently lost a close musician -friend H Sridhar says, “After hearing the shocking news of MJ’s death I wished it was another rumor which

would fade away soon. It took me time to believe that he is no more.I remember, my late sound engineer Sridhar had brought me a video of the premiere of ‘Remember the Time’ when I was recording the track ‘Kadal Rojave’ for my first movie Roja. Seeing it inspired all of us that afternoon.Now, there is no Sridhar and no Jackson anymore.”

Rahman closing lines on MJ are moving and yet hopeful. “I hope all of us value people’s existence more and respect them when they are alive. Life is short.Artists and their art live for ever. Jai Ho, MJ !We love you for your music, regardless of all the controversies!”

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A R Rahman says no thanks to Farhan’s sore throat

Farhan Akhar’s song for Tony D’Souza’s Blue that composer A R Rahman has decided to record at the last minute, might get stalled by a bit, no thanks to Farhan’s sore throat.

Farhan has been shooting for his latest starrer Kartik Versus Kartik in a dry humid studio.

“And I’m hugely allergic to dust. My throat has gone bad at a time when I least needed my voice to go bad. Working in dusty studios and singing just don’t go hand-in-hand. I guess I’ll just have to live with it.”

There were no plans to use Farhan’s vocals in Blue. But then Rahman who really liked Shankar-Ehsan-Loy’s tunes in Rock On wanted toincorporate Farhan’s vocals into the Blue.

“Rahman has approached me and yes, I’m singing for him. It’s a club-based song and I guess my voice goes well with the smoky mood.”

Farhan admits it’s a leap ahead for him as a singer. “In Rock On I sang for myself. Now I’ll get to sing for someone else, and that too a song composed by Rahman.Yeah I guess it’s a leap forward.”

But for that Farhan will have to first wait for his throat to be fully functional again. “Kartik Versus Kartik is my most gruelling role to date. It requires a lot of physical action,” says Farhan.

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