Finger firmly on the pulse of music

  HERE ARE some things about music composer A.R. Rahman you would never catch in a casual gossip session. Counted among the "tallest'' music talent in country, he wears a nearly four-inch heel, has never been to a discotheque, listens to music in his car and has recently started insisting on listening to film scripts before agreeing to give music for the same.

This 38-year-old music composer, discovered by Mani Ratnam, who arrived on the music scene with the film "Roja'', is the son of an arranger and conductor in Malayalam movies, and is at present counted among those privileged enough to lead an almost fairytale story of rags to riches.

Dileep, as he was previously called, started learning the piano at the age of four and at 11 he joined Illaiyaraja's troupe as a keyboard player. A school dropout, he also played in the orchestra of M.S.Vishwanathan and accompanied Zakir Husain and Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan on various world tours. Later he earned a scholarship to the famed Trinity College of Music at Oxford University from where he obtained a degree in Western Classical Music.

Before he made it big, Rahman was also part of local rock bands including Roots, Magic, and Nemesis Avenue and started his career by composing ad jingles for Parry's, Boost, Titan, Premier Pressure Cooker, Hero Puch and Asian Paints. He also did a couple of non-film albums including "Deen Isai Malai'' and "Set Me Free'', after which came his big break, courtesy Mani Ratnam.

"Mani Ratnam is like my guru, godfather and brother. He gave me a chance to exhibit my talent and till today I believe that I picked up my work culture from him,'' says Rahman, who was in Delhi recently to be part of the "Stop TB'' campaign.

But hasn't the work culture and life changed with super hits such as `Roja' (1992), `Bombay' (1995), `Sapnay' (1997), `Dil Se' (1998), `Fiza' and `Zubeida' (2000) and `Lagaan' (2001), and scores of other numbers that catapulted Rahman to the glorious heights of fame. "Yes, things do change and one has to learn to change with time. I have improved over the years and today I think I understand the power and influence of music. I see how it can help the people and how ingrained it is in our daily lives. I feel more responsible for what people hear today. I want to create good, sound music for the people. This is a pulse that I have recently picked up,'' says the music composer.

The man who almost from the very beginning had his finger on the pulse of the music market has today found yet another cause that he feels deeply about. "Religion and music are a strange combination; both lead you to a higher being and make you keenly aware of the responsibility that you have as a celebrity.''

And while Bollywood stars are busy making a beeline for a political career, Rahman has enrolled himself in a completely different party. Having joined the "Stop TB'' campaign, the much talked about music composer claims: "For one, I have no time for politics, second I am sure that I want to use my time to help people directly. And I will help them in the only way I know, through music. And believe me, the common man understands that language very well. And also it is something that I can identify with.''

Currently this young prodigy is busy making Indian music part of the international scenario. `Bombay Dream' for which Rahman has given music is currently on at Broadway and he is working on many other international projects besides awaiting the fate of his next Hindi film `Yuva'.

"I am sure that this is just the beginning of my journey,'' says Rahman, who believes that creating music is a spiritual experience guided by prayers. "Music knows no barrier of age or culture, it isn't about being politically correct or even making a statement, music is what appeals to the ears and touches your soul,'' says Rahman.

Photo: V. Sudershan