AR Rahman's Biography Launched
The story of music maestro AR Rahman's life was out this week.
It was Mani Ratnam, director and long-time friend of Rahman, who officially launched the book, "AR Rahman: The Spirit of Music", at a hotel in Juhu, Mumbai. The book was the result of a series of conversations with documentary filmmaker and writer Nasreen Munni Kabir.
Before getting around to actually launching the book, Ratnam recalled how they first met at Rahman's tiny studio. It was about one-fourth the size Ratnam was used to but the melodies he heard were simply beautiful.
But Ratnam says there is more to Rahman than mere music.
"As much a fan I am of his music I am a bigger admirer of him as a human being," Ratnam said of his friend.
The book took four years to complete, during which Kabir spoke to Rahman some times in person, at others via a video conferencing facility.
Kabir reflected on the many nuances of Rahman's personality.
"Rahman is not shy but he is a reserved person; you have to engage him properly to talk to him," she said. Kabir is used to nuance, given the disparate characters she highlighted in her documentaries on Hindi cinema, including Guru Dutt, Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan.
Speaking about the book, Rahman said his favourite chapter describes the time his mother, seeing how depressed he was because he had no money to buy equipment for his studio, sold the jewellery that she had kept aside for his sister's wedding. He used the Rs 4 lakh she got from the sale to buy the equipment.
Rahman went on to describe the people who contributed in his eventful journey in music. Naturally, he mentioned Ratnam, his friend and early mentor, before going on to name Ashutosh Gowariker, Ram Gopal Varma and Subhash Ghai, all of whom were present. Also present were director Imtiaz Ali and percussionist Shivmani.
Discussing his book later, he said, "There are lots of facts about me. What Nasreen [Kabir] wanted is a completeness." He described the book as universal while still maintaining a simple tone.
Asked if he had yet endured failure after the high of the Oscars, he responded philosophically, saying that if fame came along in plenty, the opposite was also a likelihood.
"I am just waiting for it. In fact it came, in a way, but I could handle it, it was not as disastrous as I had thought. Plus, it was helpful [that I was] spiritual. I have been in the media from the age of 13. I was playing [music] on Doordarshan. But after a while you get immune to all [these positive strokes] in a good way." And that detachment has helped him manage even the few crises he has had to deal with, Rahman says.
Asked if indeed planned to start a film production company, he responded guardedly in the affirmative.
However cautious he is about a film company, Rahman has nothing to worry about on account of his music school, the KM Music Conservatory. The school, on which the musical mastermind lavishes attention, is headed for bigger things, Rahman says.
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Compiled by Correspondent
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