He has two Oscars, two Grammys and a host of other awards. But showing his characteristic humility, composer A.R. Rahman says he wants to become a better singer before he can cut an album of non-film music.
Asked at a news conference in New York on Monday if he had plans for such an album, he said: “I want to do that, but I want to become a better singer.”
What was the secret to his creativity? Beyond everything, he said: “There is truth; you channelise that in your consciousness.”
He added: “Greatness comes from recognising the divine.”
Rahman was in New York for an Indian independence day concert in honour of M.S. Subbalakshmi, who in 1966 became the first Indian to perform at the United Nations.
Part of the culture of growing up in Chennai was “looking at the aura” of Subbalakshmi, he said.
About his musical influences, Rahman said he was open to all influences.
“There was Carnatic and Tamil music all around and Hindustani. As I grow older, I respect the cultural foundations, with [Subbalakshmi] as the foremost,” he said.
Students from the Sunshine Orchestra, created by Rahman, performed at the UN concert. Concert coordinator Prakash Muthuswamy said Rahman created the orchestra not with accomplished musicians, but by going to slums and other places in Chennai and looking for talented young people who have not had the experience of playing musical instruments.
He trained them at his own expense, taking care of their homing and education, even at a college level, Muthuswamy said.
