Here is the link for ARR's interview which was broadcast on 28th April on Radio City Chennai.
http://www.mediafir e.com/?r51mb1tsz xzThanks Aravind ( from arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com) for recording this in a high quality.
The Transcript of interview is below :
(Hope it will benefit non-tamil fans)
Q :- Rahman always means technology. Actually, he has brought a lot of technical aspects into Music. Do you feel that technology is a must in current day Music ?
ARR :- I think, nowadays a Musician cannot be a musician alone. He needs to be know technology. Nowadays, people owing a type writer have started owing a computer. So its a necessity. Whetever we type goes into the computer, and not by its own. So in music also, there are automatic generating Software, but melody cannot be done with that. I think its a small step. Just like driving a pig; a car. What you need is to take care that you dictate it, and not get dictated by it. If we do music out of the limitation that exists from th software, we would also become limited. So we need to change stuff, whatever it takes us to.
Q :- if we listen to a line from a music, we are able to grasp the fact that its an A.R. Rahman Music. There is an unique speciality about it. Is this a planned effort ?
ARR :-No. I used to keep playing in Film Industry in the beginning. At that time, I wanted to do an album. I had something in my mind , that I should do something non- filmy, out of the film arena. The Filmy stuff started boring me. So, when I returned back to the filmy music, instead of doing it seperately, I thought of using it in film music. So those influences came into Filmy Music.
Q :- Rahman. Sometimes, when we turn the chapters of life, it astonishes us, and that too, your life has been a miracle altogether. Today, the ful world knows A.R. Rahman. There are a lot of people, who have been driven mad by your music. Did you ever think, your life would have been this much succesful. ??
ARR :- NO. ( Straight away replies ) . Basically what happened was, I went into a spiritual phase of life, where I met this Murshad, who blessed our family. He said, that " You are your family are going to see something amazing". At that time, I was thinking he was just telling lies ( ARR uses very local tamil word " Peela" for lies. ). But with due respect, when things changed, we started believing. he said something, and its happening. Its a blessing from him. After that, it went step by step. I always take the situation little by little. That makes life more easy. Then , after Bombay Dreams, I could have made up by mind that I am not going to do any more regional Films, as I have been recognised in the West. But, I do respect all the fans from the South. or North, Indians all through. , who supportd my music. Thats one of the reasons to do the stuff. I did do some silly pictures in between, just to keep the thing going.
Q :- ( A personal Question ) Right from the time, you came to the Film Industry, till now, you have always stayed young. Hows that possible. ?
ARR :- ha ha ha . I think most of the musicians look young. Because they cannot have two things in their mind. It is Spiritual and Music. hatred and jealousy. If you have all that and worries, you become old. You just have to take all that off, and live life at that moment. Think Good.
Q :- Rahman , I should not ask any Music Director this question, but still. Which song is very close to your heart ?.
ARR :- Only when you listen to it back. Some days back, I was listening to the song , " Sowkiyamaa " from Sangamam. Then I realised, thats its a good song. Because, we forget the song, after finishing it. Otherwise, you cant go. If you take a luggage with you alwaysm you cant go anywhere, and you would not know whats ahead of you. Whats the new sound. So to do all that, you need to forget the stuff. and go, Keep watching.
Q :- Your Thai Manne Vanakkam was a scintillating song. Today, you are famous world wide. Whever you go, your roots are in Chennai. So, what does Chennai mean to you ?
ARR :- Its where I was born. So, there is an attachment. Chennai is a part of me, and my music also. So, you cant deny that. We invested so much of money for the studio here. , which gives more the reason to stay here. All the kids love here.
Q :- Everyone says, " A.R. Rahman is down to earth; down to earth". We also know that well. We realised that, when you came to our studios, as we were tensed that there was a delay in the lift. But you were very cool. How did this character come to you ?
ARR :- Down to earth Down to earth..... I have been in earth only since beginning... .....We need to be absorbing. Its like a camera. Just take the good things, and leave the bad things. So that is a part of I think, learning. and even in music, its like that. You have to wait for good music to come to you. Wait for that particular state of mind. Need patiennce for everything. So thats very important.
Q :- You have been part of a great movement of taking Indian Music to International Arena. whats our Future plan regarding this ?
ARR :- I think , to develop something very unique. Nowadays we are always switched on and aware about technology, youngness , freshness and everything. That will be very intersting to see a unique piece of music. Music becoming the leader for the full world. we could do that, if we all put our minds together.
Q :- Whats your message to Radio City Listeners ?
ARR :- Thank you all Radio City Listeners. For being a part of my music, and also part of my life so far. And I hope you continue to that so.
( Transcription prepared by Vithur, from arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com)
