Home   Forum   Wiki   Notes   Register   FAQ   Sitemap   About Us   Contact Us  

ARR's interview in Hindu .....-Intresting Point

Topic started by MumbaiRamki (@ 63.186.8.168) on Sun Dec 12 18:45:07 EST 2004.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/12/13/stories/2004121300340100.htm

1.The 'Yuhi chaala ' song from swades was orginally composed for Lagaan .

2.Harris Jeyaraj worked with him only for 2 films !!

3.On today's music -
"What is today's Tamil film music all about? They are nothing more than fast numbers or remix downloaded. What took me weeks to make music for a "Gentleman" or "Rangeela" can be done today if you have a computer, software and then pre-set the rhythms and you have a disco number! Fast music is no big deal today as anyone can become a music director"

4.Rajiv Menon film in tamizh .

---

Responses:

• Old responses
  
• From: vijay (@ 68.16.25.50) on: Mon Dec 13 09:43:30 EST 2004
  
  Observer, Rahman has not need to feel insecure. His latest albums have been chartbusters in Hindi. In TFM he might not have given many hits recently due to the simple fact that he has been targetting a larger audience. But I do remember a couple of "nEW" songs being hits. As for the interview transcript here who knows how much of it is the writer's own imagination? This is one of the reasons MDs like IR refuse to give interviews. But even if Rahman really did say about the remixing stuff of current MDs he probably was frank. I have heard IR passing such comments in the last few years as well. On the other hand ARR has shows that he can make albums like Swades/Lagaan too with very little reliance on technology and with a generous dose of nativity, which others are yet to do.
  
  
• From: vijay (@ 68.16.25.50) on: Mon Dec 13 09:44:40 EST 2004
  
  Read it as "ARR has shown"..
  
  
• From: vijay (@ 68.16.25.50) on: Mon Dec 13 09:45:50 EST 2004
  
  Tehzeeb is another under-rated album of his, because the movie flopped. The song "Mujhpe Toofan", a Madan Mohan-like Ghazal in contemporary ambience has class stamped all over it.
  
  
• From: Guess Me (@ 202.83.37.14) on: Mon Dec 13 09:57:53 EST 2004
  
  Raja:
  "Just susbstitute in your above statement - all ARRs with IRs and HJ with ARR. very clear"
  
  A clear case of incurable fanatism by associating ones achievements with another.
  
  
• From: observer (@ 208.254.219.2) on: Mon Dec 13 10:00:02 EST 2004
  
  Vijay:
  
  I don't think there is anything in what you said for me to respond to. I do believe he's insecure based on understanding of the evidence. You disagree, fine.
  
  I see that no one has bothered to reply to my case against Rahman's ghost-composing accusation. That is the big problem with this forum. If I write concisely, I'll have endless wiseguy responses correcting, amplifying, qualifying and judging my statement. If, to avoid that, I write at length, then presumably everyone's eyes glaze over and nobody responds.
  
  What is one to do?
  
  
• From: observer (@ 208.254.219.2) on: Mon Dec 13 10:24:36 EST 2004
  
  "Tehzeeb is another under-rated album of his, because the movie flopped"
  
  Vijay, I've no problems with his songs, or at least not the same problems that his chronic detractors trot out. I do have different problems with the songs that I'll get to at some point.
  
  My argument here is solely with how the general tenor of his statements has become blatantly critical, ungenerous and undignified. Yet I hear no comment on this by his fans, and little even from his attackers. Why? That's all that I'm asking.
  
  
• From: piratheepan (@ 68.88.23.102) on: Mon Dec 13 10:31:51 EST 2004
  
  What one is to do is whine like u until they get their questions answered.the forum is not all abt you.
  
  but in regards to ur questions.i have not read or seen those interviews so i cant judge 100%.becuz as we've seen in this forum alone many things get quoted out of context.as for "ghost composing" KR does alot of work for YSR and IR that goes unnoticed.so well i don't kno id have to read the full thing.
  
  as for his comments, if any, which are waged against other MD's i think it is more for the media people.to show them that his music is his and to stop stupid rumours.his great pieces go unnoticed in sales (tho everyone downloads his music like crazy even though they dont support him)
  
  if u find me the interview id gladly read it and give u my full input.
  
  i think a good example of media taking things out of proportion and context is during the release of NEW.over n over again the media and people kept saying thotal poo malaram was a remix.when it was truly not.it resembled the original only in lyrics.it was a retune.i think he is tired of tfm wise cracks.he knows what he is capable of, his fans kno wat he is capable.if tfm neglects him there are many many more oppurtunities for him.
  
  
• From: Dude (@ 199.2.219.67) on: Mon Dec 13 10:40:53 EST 2004
  
  Observer,
  
  For one, when you are quoting, please give a reference, i.e. a link, transcript or something like that. It is very hard to argue with what you interpreted.
  
  Second of all, Ranjit Barot (the composer for VIP) has been working for anu mallik nowadays. He himself said in an interview that sometimes he composes the music and anu mallik never even bothers to give credit to him(Check out his interview: http://www.3to6.com/final_music/iranjitbarot.htm). So there is some truth in what ARR said (if that is what he actually said)
  
  As far as TFM goes, even HJ made this statement once that he doesent let assistants do the work, he does it all himself. I dont know, maybe he was referring to ARR, OR maybe he was referring to the same MD(s) ARR was referring to.
  
  And for the argument that ARR seems to be loosing his edge and hence he is making arrogant comments, I dont think that this interview is sufficient to make that decision. I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt in the sense that it is a transcript written by the journo and it is very easy to re-write quotes to make it sound a particular way. Am not blaming the journo entirely, but it is just a possibility. And based on ARR's track record I am sure he is not an arrogant person.
  
  But if he gives more interviews in a similar vein, THEN i would agree with you, but not right now.
  
  
• From: observer (@ 208.254.219.2) on: Mon Dec 13 10:45:31 EST 2004
  
  Yes I understand that the position ARR-fans are taking on this is: ARR is right, he's just being frank.
  
  I'm afraid this won't wash. In the tightly competitive scene that we have now, these comments are loaded with significance and agenda. How can a player in the scene make nasty remarks and yet be regarded as objective and "frank"? Wouldn't common-sense indicate that he has an axe to grind? Namely to denigrate the competition and downplay or even negate its talent?
  
  If he's indeed being frank, I don't think its news to say that remixes are being downloaded, or whatever. From the very inception of Indian filmi music, composers have looked high and low for inspiration, they've plundered every genre, idea, sound in existence in the history of mankind. We all know that. It's just become easier now.
  
  The question is how dishonest the composer becomes in this activity. If he/she becomes wholly dependent on this, and adds little of his/her own invention, he/she'll be caught out soon enough. What's the point of railing against Deva and the like when in any case they wholly lack any sort of "cred"?
  
  What matters is for the serious composer to design his own sound, and follow his own muse. If the rewards/awards stop flowing in, that is when the tough start going, that is the time to carefully consider and reconsider one's own strategies. If that means you have to settle for a smaller piece of the pie, then so be it. Attacking others instead is sad.
  
  
• From: cc (@ 198.232.250.51) on: Mon Dec 13 10:57:21 EST 2004
  
  The culture (in ARR fans' words "trend") of taking help from assistants, making fast numbers or downloading loops/remixes in TFM started by none other than ARR. So, even if other composers do it now, he has no business of complaining about it.
  
  Dude, in the same interview, RB mentioned that he did a couple of songs from 'Kandukonden Kandukonden'. It is a well known fact that he takes a lot of help from assistants/singers in composing. So, he is not a saint either .
  
  
• From: piratheepan (@ 68.88.23.102) on: Mon Dec 13 11:00:51 EST 2004
  
  The remix downloaded was in reference to "fast music" of tfm now a days is what i believe he was refering to.
  
  wouldn't common sense indicate to give transcripts and tell u that journalists can make people sound a different way?examples include feuds between actors, actor's families and such.even in this forum we have seen people quote the exerpts from this interview out of context and that was only two hands down from the original source.
  
  yes we all kno u feel he is becoming cranky and nasty now a days.and if we(the rest of us) see that in more interviews then maybe we will agree with u.but at the moment i do not agree with u.and common sense tells me not to agree with u.so sorry not everyone is goin to agree with u right now.
  
  
• From: piratheepan (@ 68.88.23.102) on: Mon Dec 13 11:02:05 EST 2004
  
  the point is he never takes full credit.if sumone helps ARR he gives due credit.
  
  
• From: Dude (@ 199.2.219.67) on: Mon Dec 13 11:06:15 EST 2004
  
  IR had his faithful assistant Purushotham (correct me if i got the name wrong) who used to arrange rythms and conduct the music. But he never named him(or any musicians) in the credits.
  
  I dont know about MSV or other MDs. I heard T.Rajendar had someone like that too. I just quoted IR, coz i got to know about this info. Pls lets not start a IR vs. ARR war here...
  
  All ARR did was, he started the 'trend' of giving credit to the musicians and assistants, which was hitherto unknown.
  
  
• From: Vazhipokkan (@ 40.0.40.10) on: Mon Dec 13 11:24:19 EST 2004
  
  ARR himself said that instead of composing music using harmonium, guitar, or synthesizer, he uses computers to compose music. Now you can rip golden oldies and melodies to cut and paste pallavi and saranams to churn out hits. So you don't need brains to compose just have the software to provide an output for you. ARR started this trend and it continues with the current TFMDs. Next Generation composing.
  
  Zee Premiere - 2000 Interview:
  
  Q:After putting in such long hours, how do you relax?
  Where’s the time to relax? Composition is not just about creating tunes on the harmonium. Nowadays there’s software related to music, which I’m getting familiar with. There’s so much happening and so much to do.
  
  
• From: vijay (@ 68.16.25.50) on: Mon Dec 13 11:26:15 EST 2004
  
  "How can a player in the scene make nasty remarks and yet be regarded as objective and "frank"? Wouldn't common-sense indicate that he has an axe to grind? Namely to denigrate the competition and downplay or even negate its talent? "
  
  Common-sense to me indicates that Rahman is just tired of doing the same old thing as far as TFM is concerned, especially when it can be done easier these days according to him with all the available resources. He is still the first choice as far as big directors like Subash Ghai or Mani or Shankar go, so no reason for him to go out of the way and denigrate his competition. Usually only insecure artistes or MDs who are over-the-hill go on to badmouth their competition since for them its a case of sour grapes(IR could be cited as an example but he has achieved enough to feel "sour grapes" about the current trend). Rahman is still very much in business, so I dont see the need for him to do it.
  He also has the reputation of being frank, down-to-earth in his interviews unlike a few celebrities who are cryptic and philosophical in their answers(Once again IR and Kamal come to mind)
  
  "If the rewards/awards stop flowing in, that is when the tough start going, that is the time to carefully consider and reconsider one's own strategies"
  
  when did the rewards and awards stop flowing? Every time he makes an album it hits the top of the charts. Its just that he is focusing more on HFM and a wider international audience that people down south feel as if he has "lost" his edge. Swades and Kisna are rocking the charts as we speak. On the contrary, I recently read an interview of Bharadwaj where he has openly attacked ARR and said he does only 4 or 5 movies/year and so he is not the market leader anymore. Now THAT is insecurity.
  
  "What's the point of railing against Deva and the like when in any case they wholly lack any sort of "cred"? "
  
  Well it becomes a problem when the same interviewer mentions the likes of Deva and their commercial successes and asks ARR as to why he isnt being seen much in TFM. How else do you expect him to respond? TFM obviously doesnt interest him as much as it used to before. One of the reasons is the constant demand of fast numbers which Rahman has done in plenty in the past and which can be done easily these days by any keyboard-weilding novice. Thats what he has said and theres nothing out of the ordinary the way I see it.
  
  And ARR is right about ghost-composing. I have heard about this from other sources as well, some of whom have close contacts with the music industry. Even singers like SPB have gone on to attack the present set of young MDs(YSR, Dhina etc.) who couldnt spot a discordant note in their own compositions even if it hit them in the face. Now when a guy like SPB, who is generally humility-personified and controversy-free and immensely contented with the career he has,has to make a statement like that it leads the rest of us to believe that things are really not all that right with TFM. Rahman was still Shankar's first choice for Anniyan. 'nuff said.
  
  
• From: observer (@ 208.254.219.2) on: Mon Dec 13 11:27:23 EST 2004
  
  Piratheepan:
  
  I see that you've resorted to a disrespectful tone. However I shall not, now or ever, respond to any attempts to turn a rational argument into a gutter-fight. This is my last word on that aspect.
  
  "KR does alot of work for YSR and IR that goes unnoticed"
  
  I appreciate this input, I really do. It'd never occurred to me before, and it totally makes sense to me that he would be doing that. There is something suspicious about the sheer quantity of output being churned out by YSR and its fairly high quality that should have set my alarm bells ringing. Thanks for the info.
  
  Regarding the Sun interview transcript I see that some of you are going the route of casting aspersions on my truthfulness. I find this to be absurd. Unfortunately there is no proper transcript that I can find online. The interiew video itself used to be available here: http://www.uyirvani.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=121, but it seems inaccessible now. In any case, trust me on this, I wouldn't go to all this length and expend all this energy based on a lie. That fundamentally disagrees with my whole nature and philosophy.
  
  

---

List all pages of this thread

Post comments