Karen David Discusses ‘Couples Retreat’ & Album

Hollywire caught up with Karen David for an interview, asking the singer and actress about her skills with American accents, work on the new movie ‘Couples Retreat’, working with A. R. Rahman before he found Oscar fame, and her album still being “a work in progress.”

Watch the Interview :
http://popdirt.com/karen-david-discusses-couples-retreat-album/75442/

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A Musical tribute to AR Rahman

A Musical tribute to AR Rahman on his twin Osc`ARs.

Proud to be Rahmaniac ! ;-)

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Instrumental piece of Indian National Anthem - JANA GANA MANA

Hello friends,

I wish you all HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

On this historic occasion, I would like to share the instrumental piece of Indian National Anthem - JANA GANA MANA inspired from ARR's many versions. You can download it from any of the below links:

4shared link:
http://www.4shared.com/file/125179216/240b9cac/Jana_gana_mana.html

Message and Link by : Aakash Shah (www.arrahman.asia)

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Rahman's special Album as a mark of respect to MJ.

AR Rahman and several international artistes to create a special album to pay homage to the late Michael Jackson...

In a matter of few months, AR Rahman has lost two people he looked up to - sound engineer H Sridhar and Michael Jackson. Sound engineer H Sridhar passed away in December due to cardiac arrest and the cause of MJ’s death is still a mystery.

Consequently, Rahman has decided to put together a special album as a mark of respect to MJ. Of late, Rahman has been making several trips to the US because his secret dream project is ready to take off. Artistes from all across the globe will contribute to this album. It is believed that the album will have a few recreated songs of MJ, along with Rahman’s original compositions.

The King of Pop’s untimely and mysterious death unsettled Rahman. A source said, “The two deaths one after the other made Rahman realise the uncertainty of life. These tragedies have made him more spiritual.”

Rahman had earlier said, “Artistes and their art lives for ever. My late sound engineer Sridhar had brought me a video of the premiere of Michael’s Remember the Time when I was recording the track Kadal Rojave for my first movie Roja. That afternoon, that video inspired all of us. Now, there is no Sridhar and no Jackson anymore.”

Rahman was looking forward to working with MJ whom he had met during the Oscar Awards in Los Angeles earlier this year. Talking about his meeting with the pop star, Rahman had said, “MJ was concerned about contemporary developmental issues such as global warming, wars and their consequences. He asked me to compose a unity anthem on the lines of We are the World for him. I nodded in awe.”

When asked about the album, Rahman, who is going LA this week, said cautiously, “It’s too early to talk about it. Talking about it right now may jeopardise things.”

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Rahman-pays-tribute-to-MJ/articleshow/4888197.cms

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Rahman to open studio in Los Angeles

Oscar winner A. R. Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire) is developing studios in Los Angeles (USA) and London (UK), according to reports.

He reportedly already has studios in India in Chennai and Mumbai. With him going international, this will facilitate him to work with his music teams in Los Angeles and London. He reportedly said recently that he was in the middle of getting loans sanctioned for the project.

Welcoming Rahman’s move of opening studios in the West, acclaimed Indo-American statesman Rajan Zed said that this would create more avenues to spread Indian music in the world and more opportunities for musicians of the West to indulge in the richness of musical traditions of India.

Rahman, also known as Oscar winner John Williams (Schindler’s List) of Indian movie industry, launched his first studio for mixing-recording music attached to his backyard in Chennai in 1992. Starting piano training at age four, he began working at 11 as a keyboardist with a music troupe.

His about 3,000 square-foot recording studio in Chennai named A. M. Studios and described as “tranquil oasis”, is developed by “Studio 440” of Hollywood (USA) and took about three years to finish, whose skillful design blends traditional materials with modern technology.

Rahman, who has reportedly recorded sales of over 300 million, was called “Mozart of Madras” by Time magazine. Rahman sees music “as a way to connect to spirituality and embrace it” and for “creating harmony in troubled times”.

http://blog.taragana.com/n/rahman-to-open-studio-in-los-angeles-139501/

Rahman to open studio in Los Angeles
http://entertainment.oneindia.in/music/news/2009/rahman-los-angeles-140809.html

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Isaignani takes a 'dig' at A R Rahman

Kollywood observers feel that there has been a marked change in the public conduct and speeches of 'Maestro' Ilaiyaraaja for the past few months. The 'Isaignani', as he is popularly known, seldom involves himself in any activities other than composing music and making a rare appearance at functions. Of late, though, his speech appears to have been 'aimed' at having a go at his peer and junior A.R. Rehman, his one-time keyboard player.

For the first time in more than three decades of his musical sojourn, Ilaiyaraaja has appeared in an entire song in his recent film 'Azhagarmalai'. The melodious title song in the film not only features him but also is sung by the Maestro himself. Even the lyrics were penned by himself and had lines such as "whosoever wishes to go away from this country may do as they please; I would remain here forever in the service of my people".

These lines could be taken as against no particular individual; but his recent remarks at an event to launch a carnatic music-based album were unmistakable. Speaking at the launch, Ilaiyaraaja said that "Some persons claim that all the fame 'goes' to the Lord. This is wrong; why would be a God be in need of fame. Isn't He the one who showers on us fame and popularity and money? How can we 'return' to Him the fame given to us by Him? It won't be proper at all!"

While all these queries raised by the Maestro might sound genuine, the reference to the man is unmistakable. When even a child knows that it's Rahman's popular habit to admit on stages that "all fame goes to the Lord", it's highly surprising as to what the Maestro expected the people to think of his reported remarks!

http://www.chennaionline.com/film/news/Aug09/89Isaignani-takes-a-dig-at-A-R-Rahman.aspx

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AR Rahman to deliver peace concert in Australia

OSCAR-WINNING MUSICIAN A R Rahman (who composed the sound track for Slumdog Millionaire) will deliver a free concert in Sydney (Australia) to make a 'statement of peace' in view of the recent racial attacks on Indian students in Australia. He reportedly said that this concert, to be held at Parramatta Park on January 16, was an attempt to 'reunite culturally and spiritually' in view of the recent bad vibes generated in the recent spate of violence. He hopes that it will create a 'bridge of understanding and love' and break down 'cultural misunderstanding'. Premier Nathan Rees of New South Wales has congratulated Rahman for this offer.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed has applauded Rehman's gesture of goodwill and has called on prominent Australian entertainers to respond with similar gestures in major cities of India. Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan recently refused an honorary degree from the Queensland University of Technology in view of the racial attacks.

Rahman, who has reportedly recorded sales of over 300 million, has been referred to as the 'Mozart of Madras' by Time magazine. Pop icon Michael Jackson had reportedly approached him before his death to partner on a peace anthem on the lines of 'We are the World'. Rahman sees music as a "way to connect to spirituality and embrace it."

http://www.merinews.com/article/ar-rahman-to-deliver-peace-concert-in-australia/15781355.shtml

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AR Rahman to host music show to mark DD’s 50 years

MUMBAI - Oscar winner AR Rahman is all set to host a music show on Doordarshan to mark the leading Indian network’s golden jubilee.


The show called ‘The Big Band’ will have close to 40 music bands from countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Singapore, and Sri Lanka competing with each other.

Rahman said that he has a three-decade-old association with Doordarshan and termed this proposal as a great comeback.

“I have been associated with them 29 years back, when I used to play for a children programme and it used to be famous. So, it’s great to be back on 50th anniversary of Doordarshan,” Rahman told ANI (Asian News International).

Director general of Doordarshan, Aruna Sharma, said that the show would be telecast in December this year.

“We are planning to come up with a major programme in the coming months along…under the guidance of Mr. A R Rahman for that show, which would be coming very soon on Doordarshan,” she said.

Doordarshan, the public television broadcaster of India and a division of Prasar Bharati, started in Delhi in September 1959. (ANI)

http://blog.taragana.com/e/2009/08/12/ar-rahman-to-host-music-show-to-mark-dds-50-years-23651/

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A R Rahman to host free concert in Australia

If it’s true that music washes away sins from soul, the dust of everyday life: here comes Maestro A.R. Rahman with his attempts on proving it. With our Indian students being repeatedly harassed in racial attacks, the academy award winner has decided to express his anguished over it. Now, he has planned to stage a concert in Australia free of cost.


Interacting with media channels, Rahman has said, “I hope this musical concert will sort out racial problems and bring peace and harmony amongst everyone.”

A.R. Rahman has scheduled the concert on January 10, 2010. It’s remarkable to note here, that Rahman’s musical album ‘PRAY FOR ME BROTHER’ based on World peace was acclaimed universally.

http://blog.taragana.com/e/2009/08/13/ar-rahman-to-host-free-concert-in-australia-23852/

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BLUE - The Movie -- Official Trailer

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Dr. A R Rahman - Doctorate at ANNA University

`Heartiest Congrats Dr. A R Rahman !`

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