Rahman came from the advertising world, was an English speaking, decent guy who had been exposed to western music. He changed the way the world perceived a musician. He brought respectability to the profession.
He broke the hold of favourite singers. It was like IPL, anyone could take off and shine. He got irregular, unconventional voices. Hede-mythified star singers.
The process of music making also became different. Earlier the composer would sit with harmonium and have sittings with the director when he would play the tune and director would decide whether it clicked or not. Rahman would use his synthesizer-computer, sing a scratch and give to the director to let him decide at leisure. He was not dependent on working in front of the man.
With Rahman sound became clear, crisp and of international quality. His songs have layers. He also displays control, doesn’t fill up a song. He just leaves it and lets it take over its own life. He never tries to make a song a bonanza or masala mix. It’s like a dish where you don’t put too many spices, you justlet the flavour of ginger linger on. He doesn’t make music into a khichdi. He understands silences, the dynamics of the song.
He could do a purely classical number. Ram tere dil mein hain in Swades brought back V. Shantaram days, the Navrang kind of music. He pulled it off convincingly. Delhi 6 is vintage Rahman, one of his really good work.
He is also a very nice man, doesn’t throw his weight around. He is a bold guy, very serious about his work. He is not frivolous. He is a devout Muslim and his strength comes from within.
He works with the best. Ranjit Barot plays the drums for him, JJ Singh is the mixing engineer. Now he would be working with many more capable musicians.
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As told to Namrata Joshi
