R. Rehman – The musical genius of this century.
By: Souvik Chatterji.
During the last 15 years film music had undergone a lot of changes. Not only the types of music included innovative styles, but also the recording techniques had been different and are in the process of further modifications. A. R. Rehman had amused the listeners with his huge variety of compositions. He had made sound tracks and orchestrations which were innovative, new and melodious.
His performance in the film Roja, in mid-90s, had caught the attention of music lovers. Although the film was made by Director Mani Ratnam, with the objective of introducing his viewers with the onslaught of terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir, which has destroyed the peace and tranquillity in the region for more than 20 years, the music of the film added aesthetic value to the film. Specially songs like “dil hai chota sa, choti si asha”, “roja- janeman”, etc, had very soothing beat and rhythm and there was effects which balanced the sequences. There was even flavour of congregational singing which was a bit different than chorus in the song “rukmini rukmini.” Music was equally appreciated in addition to strong performance by Arvind Swamy, Madhu and Pankaj Kapoor.
In Mani Ratnam’s Bombay, A.R. Rehman again came up with melodious music. The song “tu hi re” had touched the hearts of film lovers as it was composed with a tragic note. The film was based on riots that took place in the region during that period of time and religious barriers that were faced by Arvind Swamy and Manisha Koirala in marrying each other. His performance in the film Dil Se, which was made on the backdrop of separatist movements in North-east India was also well appreciated by the masses. Specially the song “chaiya chaiya” picturised on a train passing through the colourful landscape of North-east India became a big hit with the successful choreography of Shahrukh Khan.
The other film where AR Rehman made major contribution included Sathiya. It was a film based on affair between Vivek Oberoi and Rani Mukherjee and the songs in the film contributed a lot for the box-office success. Songs like “saathiya, saathiya” sung by Sonu Nigam, “chalka chalka re”, etc., had stormed bollywood with remote style of orchestration. He had received many film fare awards for the best composer in the respective years and had made major contribution in South Indian film industry. It is not possible to cover the major contribution of the genius in a small article as he contributed in huge number of films made in different languages.
These days he also appears as judge in a number of music competitions organised in different TV Channels. AR Rehman’s innovative tune in the song “bande mataram” also is worth mentioning. In 2008, filmlovers are expected to hear new compositions of the versatile genius. His compositions should be preserved in an archive to understand the grammer of beat oriented compositions and innovative tracks which add flavour to melodious songs.
By: Souvik Chatterji.
During the last 15 years film music had undergone a lot of changes. Not only the types of music included innovative styles, but also the recording techniques had been different and are in the process of further modifications. A. R. Rehman had amused the listeners with his huge variety of compositions. He had made sound tracks and orchestrations which were innovative, new and melodious.
His performance in the film Roja, in mid-90s, had caught the attention of music lovers. Although the film was made by Director Mani Ratnam, with the objective of introducing his viewers with the onslaught of terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir, which has destroyed the peace and tranquillity in the region for more than 20 years, the music of the film added aesthetic value to the film. Specially songs like “dil hai chota sa, choti si asha”, “roja- janeman”, etc, had very soothing beat and rhythm and there was effects which balanced the sequences. There was even flavour of congregational singing which was a bit different than chorus in the song “rukmini rukmini.” Music was equally appreciated in addition to strong performance by Arvind Swamy, Madhu and Pankaj Kapoor.
In Mani Ratnam’s Bombay, A.R. Rehman again came up with melodious music. The song “tu hi re” had touched the hearts of film lovers as it was composed with a tragic note. The film was based on riots that took place in the region during that period of time and religious barriers that were faced by Arvind Swamy and Manisha Koirala in marrying each other. His performance in the film Dil Se, which was made on the backdrop of separatist movements in North-east India was also well appreciated by the masses. Specially the song “chaiya chaiya” picturised on a train passing through the colourful landscape of North-east India became a big hit with the successful choreography of Shahrukh Khan.
The other film where AR Rehman made major contribution included Sathiya. It was a film based on affair between Vivek Oberoi and Rani Mukherjee and the songs in the film contributed a lot for the box-office success. Songs like “saathiya, saathiya” sung by Sonu Nigam, “chalka chalka re”, etc., had stormed bollywood with remote style of orchestration. He had received many film fare awards for the best composer in the respective years and had made major contribution in South Indian film industry. It is not possible to cover the major contribution of the genius in a small article as he contributed in huge number of films made in different languages.
These days he also appears as judge in a number of music competitions organised in different TV Channels. AR Rehman’s innovative tune in the song “bande mataram” also is worth mentioning. In 2008, filmlovers are expected to hear new compositions of the versatile genius. His compositions should be preserved in an archive to understand the grammer of beat oriented compositions and innovative tracks which add flavour to melodious songs.
