Oscar winner AR Rahman says he dreams of Indian symphony: The success mantra lies in the fusion of Indian classical music, Western music and technology

2009
By Syed Akbar
Hyderabad, Oct 24: Oscar winner AR Rahman dreams about developing a unique Indian music stream, the Indian Symphony, fusing classical and Western music with the latest advances in technology.


"Fusion music is the buzz word now and we have to adapt to the latest trends by incorporating the best of what we have and the Western music with a technological touch, to remain as top-notchers," he says.

In a tête-à-tête with this correspondent over lunch, Rahman, who gave a new meaning to modern Indian music, points out that he has been implementing this novel concept in his music school, which he started

in Chennai last year. "Indian music, western music and technology, this should be our mantra."

His busy schedule notwithstanding (he arrived late, on Friday after he missed his afternoon flight), Rahman spent about 70 minutes with a select group of guests, relishing Hyderabadi Nawabi dishes including nalli gosht, koftas, kababs, gosht biryani, dhall fry and plain naan, besides mixed fruit juice. He politely refused when a chef offered him fried prawns.

The guests included GMR Airports chairman Kiran Kumar Grandhi, GMR urban infra and highways chief Srinivas Bommidala, Jet Airways area manager Ashok Kumar and representatives from a couple of media
houses. Rahman exchanged views on a variety of subjects including cricket, music, family values, environment, philanthrophy, floods, tsunami, security, his concerts in India and abroad and corporate
responsibility. Clad in a light aqua blue tunic, Rahman answered questions with ease.

Rahman, who is in the city for a fund-raising concert to help flood victims, said he instantly fell in love with Hyderabadi biryani. "Your food is a bit spicy but I like it. I used to take lot of prawns and crabs and of late I have stopped them to keep myself fit."

Asked whether he has turned a veggie, Rahman smilingly said he tried it sometime ago for three months, but he gave it up when he became weak. "I need lot of stamina and I get it from non-veg supplements".

Attributing his success to his quick adaptation to the changing trends, he said the present-day music buffs like combo-music, combining all streams of vocal and instrumental music, says this techno-savvy musician, sporting a Black Berry in his hand. "This has been gifted to me by a friend," he answers a call.

"My dream is to develop the Indian symphony and I focus on teaching this concept to my students. A dozen leading foreign and Indian music faculty is involved in teaching 130 students at the music school," Rahman says.

An epitome of humility and continuous learner, Rahman attributes his success to God's grace, simplicity, and support from people. He recalled how he was stopped by security guards at his own concerts in Pune and Dallas. "Yes, the security system should be tight. After all it is for our own safety," he agrees.

This music maestro, who has a penchant for environment, plans to shift his music school to a sprawling 40-acre premises at Red Hills in Chennai, where he will implement the "green building" concept, with everything eco-friendly right from drawing underground water to electrification. "I am planning to some concerts on climate change."

He goes to bed at 5 in the morning and wakes up at 1.00 pm to start a fresh day. "I got used to these freak timings," he said with a smile in his face. Soon after the lunch, Rahman rushed to the GMR arena, where he

A globe-trotter Rahman covered half a dozen countries since he last visited Hyderabad on October 12. "I do not get jet lag, but I need a day's rest after a long commute. But my spouse obviously tired said she can't globe-trot any more."

performed a music show later in the evening.

The police made strict security arrangements and the roads leading to the airport were jam-packed with his fans and music lovers.