Madhushree

Rahman‘s speciality is alwayslooking to do new things. If a song becomes a hit, people try to imitate that. ButRahman always says that even if something is a superhit, it should be left aloneand something new should be tried. I’ve told him, "This song was so good we should do something like that." And he replied, "No, you shouldn’t cash in onsuccess like that."  That, actually, is why he is successful. 

From whateverI’ve sung in my career, 99% is for Rahman. I met him in 2001  for Saathiyaand we started our association then and we continue: Kisna, Tehzeeb, Yuva,Swades, Jodha Akbar, Mangal Pandey and a lot of Tamil films. When he likes what I do for him he saysin Hindi, "Behatareen!"

He is always searching. He’s verycreative. He wants to work with new people, make new sounds, do new things. Thisis a constant search within him and you can see it. That has made him reach wherehe has. I am lucky to have sung for him but even in my songs you’ll not findtwo songs sounding alike be it Pal pal hai bhari or Kabhi neem neem,or indeed any film. He’s always giving opportunities to new voices -- that’spraiseworthy. He may not understand Hindi completely but his musicality isinfallible.

When you sing for others, they ask youyour range and pitch, but with Rahman it’s different. He is a technician himselfand knows what I can sing well and works accordingly. When he does the finalmixing, even your own song sounds different to you. 

From Roja onwards, I’veloved all his songs. In Pukar, Anuradha Paudwal sang a song kismat se tumwhich is my favourite from Rahman’s songs. It is in Raag Bhimpalasi. Heutilizes classical raagas very beautifully.

His speciality is that even in films,the song is there for a purpose, it enhances the film. In this industry, there is a lot ofpolitics and sometimes you think what’s the point? Maybe we should also belike the others but then I see Rahman, his simplicity and hisdedication to his work and I realise that one should just work with focus. Andyour rewards will come.

As told to Lata Khubchandani