30
In 1976, a 9-year-old boy watched his father succumb to an undiagnosed disease, leaving behind a family of four, a house with a leaky roof, little money, a few musical instruments and the goodwill of the south Indian film industries. For the next two years, the boy watched his mother try to make ends meet by hiring out the musical instruments. Since that didn’t work, the boy converted his schooling into a hobby and began working with musicians who hired the family’s instruments. And when these musicians began buying their own gear, the boy’s mother said:
‘Why don’t you learn to play the keyboards?’
For the next decade, the boy worked as a session musician “with almost every music director in the South.” By 1988, the boy – now a young man of twenty-one – was working double shifts. From 9 to 9, he worked with film musicians Raj-Koti, and then grabbed a quick bite on his way to another studio where he recorded jingles till 4 am.
The major turning point in the young man’s life came in 1989. Although he had built a music studio in his backyard, he had no money to fill it with musical equipment. So his mother sold the jewellery she had saved up for the marriages of her two younger daughters. Using this money, the young man bought his first Fostex 16-track mixer/recorder. During this time, even the professionals in the Chennai film industry used a mono track. And here, the young man had 16 tracks at his fingertips! He recalls:
‘All those years of struggle, humiliation, being ordered around by other people, seeing worry on the faces of my family, remembering the feeling of being overwhelmed by an inferiority complex, the lack of self-esteem, and even at times, fighting suicidal thoughts – all that seemed to fade away. Sitting in the music studio that night, and staring at my new recorder, I felt like a king. The new me was born and the future seemed glorious.’
A couple of years later, renowned film director Mani Ratnam signed that young man for a film called Roja. And the rest, of course, is history.
What you’ve read above is the authentic account of Allah Rakha Rahman’s past. Finally! We no longer have to rely on apocryphal anecdotes and misinterpretations of events. By speaking candidly with Nasreen Munni Kabir – and allowing the transcripts of their delightfully freewheeling conversations to take the form of the newly released book The spirit of music – Rahman has made substantial revelations about his life and work.
The conversations happened over four years, but they’re strung together as a monolith that’s interspersed with pictures depicting the personal and professional personalities of Rahman. As the conversations and the pictures spin the reader’s imagination, he realises the extent to which this maestro is immersed in his work. His life is busier than our dreams. He has homes in three continents and engagements in at least five, but he never seems to leave the tranquillity of his inner world. The Sufi themes of silence, tolerance, infinity and humility dominate his soul and allow him to perceive work as meditation, a release from the humdrum of existence, an opportunity to discover the vertical depth in each human moment.
Perhaps this is why he could even comprehend the possibility of playing a lullaby to underline the grief of a mother whose only son has just died (Luka chuppi from Rang de Basanti). Such experimentation, of course, is not possible without the support of the directors and lyricists. Rahman acknowledges them in this book and tells us how the uniqueness of each of these artists brings out the best in him. The inherent strengths of his associates, his knowledge of various forms of music – Carnatic, Hindustani, Western classical, Sufi, rap, pop, rock and roll, jazz etc – and his spiritual base seem to be the ingredients of his music. He says:
‘When I’m composing music, I sometimes close my eyes and enter into a trance-like state and anything I pay sounds all right. But to achieve that state, I think of certain invocations that I’ve been taught … Prayer helps a lot too. I do my zikr – a meditation to remember Allah. I go into that state for a few hours. It doesn’t happen all the time…’
Allow him to “be quiet and perhaps distant from time to time” and he’ll churn out his magic! That’s about it.
One must congratulate Kabir for achieving a smooth narrative flow throughout and allowing Rahman’s singular personality to emerge through this book. Having said that, when she poses some of her questions, one cannot but feel that a human note is intruding into the whisper of the cosmos.
Eshwar Sundaresan is a Bangalore-based writer, freelance journalist, ideator and entrepreneur. His works are Googlable.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
Fact file
- Despite being a veteran in the Malayalam music industry, Rahman’s father R. K. Sekhar’s first film as a composer was released on the day he died.
- Rahman’s grandfather was a bhajan singer in a temple in Mylapore in south Chennai.
- Rahman became a part of four music bands in his youth. He doesn’t mention the name of the first, but the other three were named Magic, Roots and Nemesis Avenue.
- Peer Karimullah Shah Qadri was Rahman’s first Sufi teacher. He got acquainted with the family when it was trying to find solutions to R. K. Sekhar’s health problems.
- Rahman never liked his birth name, Dilip Kumar. Before embracing Sufism, he visited a Hindu astrologer who suggested “Abdul Rahman” and “Abdul Rahim” as suitable options for a new name! He liked “Rehman.” His mother’s intuition, meanwhile, suggested that he be called Allahrakha. Hence the unusual name.
- Rahman’s logistical limitations accidentally helped him create his signature style. When he ran out of recorded material while composing a song – say he wanted the flute playing extended at a certain point, but the flutist had gone home – he would fill the absence of the flute with another instrument. This became a pattern and a style that people seemed to accept.
- When he gets stuck, Rahman derives inspiration from the poetry of the legendary Tamil poet and freedom fighter Subramanya Bharathi.
- Rahman married Saira in March 1995, in the same building where he opened AM Studios in 2006.
- Rahman saw Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – whom he revered – perform Live in New York’s Radio City Hall in 1996; over six thousand white and black Americans swayed to the rendition of Allah Hoo that evening.
- Rahman sang in public for the first time during the 1996 Filmfare awards. He had, of course, recorded numerous songs in Tamil and Hindustani by then.
- In 1994-95 Subhash Ghai suggested that Rahman learn Hindi. He partially accomplished this before recording Rangeela. Between 2001 and 2003, he studied Urdu. Till date, he feels that not mastering the language helps create fresh music.
- 2003-06 was the most confused period of Rahman’s life. He was disturbed by 9/11 and the Iraq war, and the way the world was getting divided. In this backdrop, he met his current spiritual teacher.
- Khwaja mere khwaja has been written by Rahman’s current spiritual teacher under the pen name Kashif. When he performs this song Live, he gives his audience a glimpse of his inner world.
- Rap artist and friend Blaaze contributed the opening gusto to the hit song Masti ki paathshala. ‘Be a rebel… lose control,’ Blaaze told Rahman over the phone. Prasoon Joshi then penned the rest of the song.
- Rahman’s favourite “be by myself” haunts are Regent Park in London and an unnamed dargah close to Mahabalipuram.
- In addition to Nusret Fatah Ali Khan, Rahman is fascinated by the music of Vangelis, Peter Gabriel, John Williams, Craig Armstrong and Hans Zimmer.
i love AR rahman like anything..he have some magical power in his hand.. am feeling great to be his fan.. i want to see him atleast one time and am waiting for dat day…
Yeh!!!!!!! Coke studio is coming to India!!!!!!!!!! Hope all Pak musicians can play there. dying to hear Saine Zahoor sing!! Long live Pakindia!!!!!
a must read article
is this a a forum to promote knowledge of certain religion and its beliefs and ideals i thought we were here to talk share stuff i.e. music
spot on asif !!
i think that it is THE religion which we all need to follow and that IT is the religion native to our land
Lovely article. What a musician. His music in DIl se still remains for me his most masterful work!We need AR Rehman on Coke Studio!
Agreed Assad! I saw Coke studio just a few days back and im amazed! Coke studio should come to India.COke studio is such a great effort. It will breathe new life in the Classical music. Huge hit.
A few years ago, I was transiting through Bangkok International Airport and saw this lonely figure whose face seemed familiar walking by. I realized it was A.R. Rahman. I ran up to him, shook his hand and congratulated him on his Oscar win for "Slumdog Millionaire". He replied with a polite "Thank you" and moved on. There were a few others who recognized him and he patiently stood for photographs with them before he went on his way. He was humbleness personified.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and AR Rehman are two musicians who have created completely novel music. Long live AR Rehman
Beautiful piece on a great maestro. Lots of interesting info. Watching ARR live is always amazing – each piece has such variation and depth, beyond language – ARR has the magic to bring out the best musical gifts of artists like Hariharan etc. Sheer emotional power are ARR's "khwaja mere khwaja" and "vande maataram", and so many others.
Nice to see so many simple and honest blogs from south of India in 'Dawn.' From food blogs to this one and the one of Mumbai, you take me completely by surprise. I am sickened that India is perceived as JUST BOLLYWOOD, which is utterly false. Thank you once again for showing to our brothers & sisters in Pakistan, the true and real India behind the bollywood facade.
A.R.Rahman and Sachin Tendulkar are two personalities I admire the most. Both are best in their field, brilliant , hardworking and most importantly "humble". My life would be a lot sadder without these two great sons of India. I would like Rahman producing more Indian music because we really need it and the west does not care.
Roger ! I had the opportunity of meeting the great Ilayaraaja a few times, and all I could see was music and rhythm.
The Sufi singer Kailash Kher, mentioned too in his live performance in Chennai that the maximum number of times he had visited the city was to meet and record with ARR.
Old timers should recall that ARR came into his own with tunes for brand ads on TV, and among the first was that of Leo Coffee, which with his tune in the background, became the market leader for coffee, in this coffee-drinking state.
When I meet my Pakistani friends I dont talk to them about religion or politics. these two areas are gravyard of India -Pakistan reliations and will remian same for next 50 years. SO lets talk aout music only. Of course Sufism has given us another rich culture of music. in Sufism God comes down from his high up place and becomes a lover/ beloved. Also guys if you have heard Rehman, I would recommen you his Guru, Illayaraja!!!!!!!! Listen to Illayaraja.
I LOVE AR Rehman. People like him inspire me to no limits.
His first remmuneration was 50 Rs/- at the age of 13.Working with his father's friend MK Arjun master A Malayalam Music Director….. Whatever he do Rock & roll or Rap there's a Melody inside!!..Tht's the gift he got from his father and working with South Indian Music directors!!… All the best Rehman Gi…We Salute you…Lot more Tunes Expected from you…
Its Karnatak music not Carnatic..
Sorry it is Carnatic only .Karnatak refers to a state in south India which also has lot of Carnatic music going !
Actually if the state is Karnataka, then the music is Karnatak music. The name Carnatic was given by the british to the area around Karnataka and Tamilnadu in the early days of the Raj. Carnatic music is so called because it was popular in that area. Karnataka is also from that same root. So if you say Karnataka, it is better to break free of imperial shackles and call the music Karnatak too
The state of Karnataka has hardly produced any Carnatic musicians except for the Saint Purandar Dasa who is the founder of Carnatic music. Karnataka has produced a host of Hindustani music exponents such as Bhimsen Joshi, Gangubai Hangal, Sawai Gandharva, Mallikarjun Mansoor etc. It is a fact that Hindustani Classical music style is more popular and liked in Karnataka than the Carnatic style.
Karna in sanskrit language means ears and Carnatic music means the music which pleases the ears of the listeners period. It does not in any way tied up with Karnataka. As Raghav pointed out Karnataka state in india for which Bangalore is captial has produced more Hindustani singers like Bhimshen Joshi, Gangubai, Mansoor and others. Coming to ARR he is one person who is humble to the core and is never afraid of experimenting and blending different styles of music and instruments in never seen before ways and that is his USP.
Great man. Good luck ARR as you conquer the world, more hearts and touch lives.
India never had a religion. India had multitude and often seemingly conflicting philosophies born of its womb. Whether someone indulged in materialism (charuvak) or atheism or montheism or polytheism…we did not have problems as a society. These ways pushed each other like siblings would, but never killed the other in the name of which way is the right way. Which is why the "tolerance/love for diversity" strain is well built into Indic psyche. So a Hindu is comfortable in a dargah, church, gurudwara, nature worshipping etc.,…(All Indic system followers show this strain). Our society was built on "All roads lead to god and each is beautiful in its own way. Pick and choose what is suitable for you". Then Abrahamic faiths happened…their patented "My way is the only way" still tears us apart as a society.
I'm glad ARR represents an Indic system which embraces multitude views while allowing you to keep your "core". His core is sufism which allows for a "personal experience" approach to God as legit. Which is why he's comfortable with other Indic systems. No body threatened ARR when he changed religion. Can one do the same in Pakistan ?
Can Pakistans ever get back to its roots? Sorry for hijacking a post on music and ARR. Let's not forget that diversity contributes to breeding genuises. I rest my case.
Nice comments, you are so right we miss the rainbow colours of race, religion & race. I hope that we realize this and return to the way that we were.
Hinduism is a great religion. No other religions has such divers flexibility and again can assimilate in to oneness. It is the most tolerant, accommodating, freewill religions. Whatever the draw back, negative side we normally see in practicing Hinduism, are not divine and ones own creation on the basis of of his/her won perception. But this individual believe do not harm any body nor they effect the society or masses. I am not Hindu by faith nor I believe in any ritualism. Religion should be a believe more than a practice. But still I admire Hinduism. A.R. born as Hindu and converting to Sufi Islam and carrying his dual identity with no problem.
I am very proud of AR Rahman. He was born as a poor Hindu who converted to Islam. Good on him. He is free to follow his faith. Local Indians did not see his name or religion, they saw his talent and loved him for his talent. A.R Rahman has a special place in the heart of every Indian.
Yet another example how any one in India (from any religios faith) can achive heights based on thir hard work & skills.
AR saab thaks for the lovely music. India loves you.
This fubdamental truth is very hard for an average Pakistani to understand.
Sorry Malay. No such thing as HINDUISM! They follow SANATANA DHARMA, a way of life. Hindus were found to be living in the Indus river basin long time back by Alexander the Great and hence the name. Apparently, this is the only religion where man & God is on a ONE TO ONE BASIS. There is no in-between. No preacher, No special day, No special place. They believe God dwells in every human being !
Well it sounds lame but Im a 'Hindu' and I agree with what Samuel has said. I guess if a person believes in two things , he qualifies as a HIndu. 1) Existence of one Brahman ( different from caste, this is Sanskrit equivalent of God/ Unity) 2) Karmic rule and the karmic cycle of death and rebirth . The rest actually follow and thus are different in different sects.If you look at it closely it is monotheistic and Vivekananda actually gave a term called henotheistic religion.But beside this fact which has nothing to do with ARR. ARR is a god of music!!!
it is saddening to see another near-perfect article thronged with hate-filled comments marred by religious rifts and mud slinging. the misinterpretation of Islam, which exists in every religion whether divine or man-made, is gross injustice. Quran says in Surah Baqara and not just once, thrice and I quote, " for those who believe in Almighty and his oneness and believe in the judgment day that they will be held accountable, and follow the right path, have nothing to fear. their cases rest with the Almighty Himself." Islam is as simple as that and its the spiritual appeal that so many turn towards it including ARR.
we dont blame Christianity for throwing Galileo in a life imprisonment because Christianity cannot be blamed for its misinterpretation by its followers. I am sure the strict cast and creed drift in Hindu mat is also not part of the teachings of the Vedas, Mahabharata or the Ramayana. it is really sad to see folks from the other side indulging in religious mud slinging on such a glorious account.
Dear Naveed no body has foul mouthed Islam. Where have they done it? They do speak good about Hinduism but thats all. We are not saying that Islam has any deficeincy. I dont see the reason for your disconfiture.Please be tolerant. as tolerance is bilateral.