New Delhi:

Academy Award-winning composer AR Rahman is celebrating 30 years in the music film industry with his upcoming concert, Wonderment.

In an exclusive conversation with the singer-composer opened up his concert, his collaboration with Shiamak Davar, performing in front of a live audience, and his journey overall.

AR Rahman on his collaboration with Shaimak Davar:

Speaking to us exclusively, AR Rahman shared, “Shiamak called me for his dance musical at NMACC. I was blown away when I saw it. I thought, ‘This guy is doing international stuff here.’

I wanted to take a VR version of it. Nobody had done anything like this in India. So, when the concert thing happened, I asked to get Shiamak in and see what we could do together.”

When asked how performing in front of a live audience works for an introvert like him, he responded by saying, “As an artist, it doesn’t matter if I am sad; I have to produce a happy song if that’s the requirement. And vice versa. You are an artist. You can’t be temperamental.

You have to create. And these situations happen many times. As an artist, if you have taken on that role, you must fulfill it in the best possible way.”

AR Rahman on working at nights:

The musician is famous for working at night. Opening up about the same, he told us, “I started working at a studio at the age of twelve or thirteen. Ten years later, I got the opportunity to compose jingles.

So, I used to work at the studio from 9 am to 9 pm. From 10 pm to 4 am, I’d work on the jingles. Then, I sleep for four hours and go to the studio again. My creative work happened at night. That’s how it started. At night, everybody is asleep. 

Nobody comes to disturb you when you’re in a trance of creativity. It’s you and your art. When I am abroad, I work and sleep at normal times because nobody disturbs me there.”

AR Rahman opens up on his journey

In a candid conversation with AR Rahman reflected on his journey. He shared, “I think it’s evolution. If you don’t change, you get changed. 

Change should be refined. I feel that life is an opportunity to refine your character, your art, everything. That refinement is to see how much you can push yourself to make it exciting.”

He further elaborated, “I am an audience. I am on the other side, always. I am sitting in the audience’s chair and listening to my music. If I am not convinced with a piece, I throw it away and start again.

The sound has to be special or have its own character. It’s an instinctive process. You dodge things and find your space. You have 32 years of experience. Sometimes, you have to walk away from your favourites and do something else. 

Certain things are constant, and others are variable. Constants are the traditional melodies that are simple and deeper.”

When asked about the Wondermant Tour, AR Rahman explained that it is “recognising the blessings of everyone. The blessings of audiences when they come for concerts, and the blessings of love, family, and music. We need to celebrate blessings. Hence, Wonderment.”

He also spoke about the support of the Indian government and the government of Maharashtra, expressing his great appreciation for being part of WAVES. He added, “It’s a great pride for us to have the first concert with so much support and love.”

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