A.R. Rahman says he knows no magic but gives music from the heart.

Thank God!

ZIYA US SALAM

The man of the moment, A.R. Rahman says he knows no magic but gives music from the heart.

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You have to have a feel for the subject. I go by my instinct.

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Out to unite the world! A.R. Rahman remains humble in unprecedented success and popularity.

This week Allah Rakha Rahman went to bed with a couple of Academy Awards by his side in Los Angeles. Back in India, Golden Globes and BAFTA awards vied for space on the mantelpiece. Rahman is clearly spoiled for choice. No Indian had ever found himse lf in such a situation. So, when he is asked about his remarkable achievement, the 40-something Rahman, who looks younger than his years, only manages to say, “Alhamdolillah” (All Praise to Allah).

Call it humility, for there is no other way to describe the words. After all, a little earlier at the Oscar night, he had said something similar, “God is great”. And then he thanked his mother for being with him on the special occasion. First God, then mom. This at a time when launching into a diatribe against the neglect of Indian film music would have been accepted, and a bit of self-admiration not out of place either.

Allah forever

None of this for Rahman. You greet him for the unprecedented awards, telling him how we all have been enjoying his works, right from the time of “Roja” that got him the National Award on to “Slumdog Millionaire” via those wonderful tunes of “Bombay”, “Saathiya”, “Guru”, “Rang De Basanti”, etc. and he merely smiles. Then says, “JazakAllah” (May Allah reward you).

Clearly, Allah is for ever in the thoughts of Rahman! “I would not have been disappointed had I not got the awards but they mean so much to our country. Hopefully, there will be great respect for our music from hereon.”

But there is obviously both respect and recognition for our musicians. Remember Ustad Zakir Hussain just got a Grammy. “I had hoped for this for quite some time. Not necessarily Oscar but the feeling of uniting the world with our music. And people had always appreciated our classical music.”

In the run-up to the Oscars, when the media was talking up India’s chances, Rahman had cautioned, “The music score of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ has won six reputed awards already. It is better to keep the hype low on Oscars since they are unpredictable.” Well, on the Golden Night, the Oscars for Rahman were anything but unpredictable.

“I was a little nervous. But I had nothing to lose. When I got the first award, I was happy but it sunk in with the second award only.”

Why?

“I had to perform after the first award, so I was concerned about the tune,” he repeats, matter of fact. No airs, no trace of arrogance. Just a depiction of very human feeling.

Hasn’t the film been guilty of selling India’s poverty to the world?

“Thanks to ‘Slumdog…’ more children can be benefited. And our music has been recognised.” He is again succinct.

How is the sensibility different for, say, a “Slumdog…” from the more recent “Delhi-6” to earlier ones like “Jodhaa-Akbar”?

“It is just music. You do it with devotion. You have to have a feel for the subject. I go by my instinct,” says the Mozart of Madras.

He, clearly is a man of few words. Very few words. A friend in L.A. tries to get more from him. Not much, it turns out.

So, how has been his journey from being Dileep Kumar to A.R. Rahman, from the days of Trinity College of Music to the Oscars?

“Alhamdolillah. I want to thank the Almighty for making this possible. I am very grateful for all the love and prayers from all my fans, friends and family. Jai ho! I have been fortunate to get recognition. Our country has so many talented artistes. God has been kind.”

Beyond God and mom, what is his secret success mantra?

“I have no magic. Whatever I do, I do from the heart”. Simple words. Spoken “Dil Se”.