Rahmanization

Youngsters go gaga over his beats. Middle agers go mad about his heart touching solos. Old nod to his semi classical numbers. It is none other than A. R. Rahman, fine amalgamation of western and Indian music trends. Hindi belt of India came to know of him only through "Roja". Much before that the south tasted and loved his unique blending style. His tunes echoed and rocked the whole of south India. In a way in his earlier scores had more of southern spice but became more universal after his debut in Hindi films.

Reportedly worked with maestro Ilaya Raja initially but went on making his own brand ever since he arrived on Kollywood (Tamil cinema) as a director. By the time he tasted all India success he has already put his indelible stamp on southern music. He can be called a trend setter. Many music directors who came after Rahman like Deva, Harris Jaya Raj, Yuvan Shanker Raja, had no other choice but to imitate his style and some of them even excelled him while making few albums but certainly lack his unlimited talent.In Telugu Koti was the first director who had to transform and later who ever has entered like Chakri, Devi Sri Prasad, micky J.Mayer followed the trends already set by Rahman though apparently they look some times drastically different.

Hindi film music had it's own stalwarts dating from C. Ramachandra, Noushad and Madan Mohan who gave simply marvellous classical tunes, to ever experimenting sweet Shankar Jaikishan, unforgettable Sachin Dev Burman to cranky talented R.D.Burman, melodious O.P.Nayyar, occasionally brillian Kalyanji Anandji , and simply superb Lakshmi Kant Pyarelal. In a era with rising stars Nadeem Sravan abruptly disappearing, Anu Malik reigning, HariHaran troop was struggling to achieve, Jatin Lalit throwing scanty memorable numbers, a star rose in a Hindi music horizon called Rahman.The whole of India bewitched by his "Roja". He went on with his journey with "Dil Se" "Lagan" so on so forth.

In an environment where movie success is obviously linked to it's musical hit, Rahman carved the fate of many mega super dupers with his enthralling music scores. He became a much sought after director, and music rendered by this little master is a prestigious prerequisite for high budgeted cinema. Many new debutants like Pritam, Himesh Reshamiya , Shanker Eshan, Ismail Durbar,Vishal Shakhar name any, they followed the trend set by Rahman in some way or other. No body can stand apart and say it is my kind of music. Only one who dared to say it, was Raj Kamar(Tamil) who wanted to reinvent melody in film music, but eventually faded into oblivion.

In the process the sound classical base of Indian cine music died it's natural death. The imposingly sounding western notes and strange chords have become the part of Indian movie music . In Rahman era, singers sadly lost their identity and some times illustrious singers too had to be contended with group singing. Yet, to sing with Rahman is an honour for many. Lyrics totally lost their relevance, many are lost in either too much noise behind or too soft humming which barely are audible.Technique reigned high than voice culture and authenticity. Mediocre singers reached their heights, and many popular singers were side tracked . He ushered an era where monopoly of popular singers came to an end. Melody in a way is reinvented with western fragrance, but in it's Indian way, lost it's glory.

Rahman never stopped with just music direction in Indian soil. He persued his never ending journey for excellence in western music world. Had he ever wanted, he would have made his millions sticking to Bollywood . But his insatiable quest for music drives him all the time for newer exploration. He is rare one who is committed to achieve perfection and on perpetual mission for learning. He is on his constant move for greener pastures of knowledge than to stop on reaching a top. Nothing seems to stop him. Many artists who were rarely gifted were doing so in olden days, but it is hard to find one in this new materialistic world without yielding to alluring big money. To day if he is earning money it is only a byproduct of an activity which he is enjoying to do.

To a person of his talent Golden Globe is an honour. His nomination for 3 categories in Oscars is the ultimate any artist can dream. One has to bear in mind that he won it for his fine juxtaposition of Indian Bollywood (?) music with western music. To make further on truly western plank he has to shed his local hues more and fine tune to western cadence. Fusions are instantaneous success and their stint is shorter than purest versions of long lasting delving western melodies . He is more than just a movie music director. Movie is only a mediumof his musical expression.

Music is an experience. Rahman is a gifted child who experiences it with his soul.