Only when I go on the stage do I realise that I have composed all these songs: AR Rahman

Completing 25 years as a music composer will be a momentous milestone for anyone but, “You need to leave your luggage and move on,” is what AR Rahman says about his journey so far. His debut as a music composer, Roja, released in August 1992, but the Chhaiya Chhaiya and Jai Ho hitmaker is unmindful of the great compositions he has given the music world. “Only when I go on the stage do I realise that I have composed all these songs,” AR says. Not resting on his past laurels is his way of preventing complacency, in turn impeding his progress. “I constantly think about the new chords or orchestration that I can use. I never think about the fact that I have been around for 25 years now. You learn something and then you want to find a new path. That’s the only way you feel elevated,” he adds.

The musical journey

Marking AR’s silver jubilee is his upcoming, One Heart: The AR Rahman Concert Film that encapsulates his musical journey and creative process through a series of interviews, personal clips (information about his family and fans, experimentation, behind-the-stage scenes, etc) and footages from the concerts in 14 locations across North America. “I’m extremely finicky about being filmed,” AR says about being on the big screen. “When I was doing the tour in 2015, I felt we needed to film it because it was about music and the energy, and the sentiment was great,” he says. As the film hits theatres on September 7, the revenues generated would go to the One Heart Music Foundation that works towards supporting lesser-privileged musicians in the industry.

For the fraternity

AR hit upon the idea of starting the foundation seven odd years ago, but it was too big for him to kick off. When he bounced off the idea to the producer, Karan Grover, the latter suggested they film the concert as a movie for the foundation. AR, who serves as its ambassador, wants to now approach other young composers to see how they can contribute to the foundation. “There’s a generation of musicians that has dedicated its life to music, but is suffering now. There is no support system in place for them. I want music to be well protected for people who have given their lives and soul to it so that they don’t die in poverty,” he states.

AR has a similar back story. He lost his musician father, RK Shekhar, at the age of nine. The deceased score-composer and arranger’s music equipment rentals provided the family’s income as his mother, Kareema (earlier Kasthuri), refused to sell the instruments off. “In a way, my whole life has revolved around musicians who have been in the state of glory once. Some musicians in the previous generation had a temperament — today we have money, but tomorrow, let’s see. With this foundation, one is respecting what they have given to music, but today they don’t have the money for medical expenses, their children’s higher education or even letting children pursue music,” says he.

Trusting his troupe

Musicians playing at his concerts for the film have all been cherry picked, he says, and the roster includes impressive names such as the violinist from Hans Zimmer’s group, Annette Philip — musician and artistic director of Berklee India Exchange at the Berklee College of Music, Croatian danseuse Devi Rani Najev, music director Ranjit Barot, singer Jonita Gandhi, and so on. “We have tried to do everything live — what you hear is what you get,” says AR, for whom creativity means selecting a tune and trusting the musicians with what they want to do. “You can’t tell an artiste what they should be doing. It’s their duty,” he says.

Competing with new talent

While AR has always worked with musicians he has previously collaborated with, it’s the new generation of musicians that keeps him on his toes. “They are so talented that they push you to deliver the best. When they do something great, you want to do better. So, there’s a sense of competition. But, there’s also pride that you are playing with some of the best musicians out there,” says he. “It’s a strange feeling that there are people who have grown up listening to your music and now their kids are playing,” he laughs adding, “I’m more interested in the kids now.”

No gatekeepers of music

AR is also glad that there are no gatekeepers of art. Great music can come from the simplest of places such as the social media. He says, “You must be neutral. You need to see how much life, honesty and originality there is in their music instead of judging by their fame, money or followers.”

On the top of his game

AR is one of those musicians who is seldom criticised for what he does. However, that’s not how he sees it. “I know there are some people who are willing to hear whatever I make. But I keep checking my work. These days people have the choice of listening to the best artistes on the internet. So, I keep checking if my band is at par with those musicians. Do we have the character and personality? It’s more work but it’s satisfying when you tick all the boxes,” says the Academy and Grammy awards winner. He says being himself when it comes to making music has ensured that his music appeals to Indian as well as Western audiences.

His favourite musicians

 The musicians that have impressed him the most are Ranjit Barot and Sivamani. “They have been working since three generations but are still creating an impression. I’d have really loved to work with Mandolin Srinivas (U Srinivas) who passed away in 2014. That has taught me that I should work with someone I want to immediately,” he signs off.