The Genius Of A R Rahman
A.R. Rahman has changed the face of Indian film music. A Mani Ratnam find, Rahmans first major work Roja (1993), was a breakthrough. The unique blend of folk, classical and natural sounds in the Choti si Aasha… number, created a new idiom which became a Rahman hallmark. For South Asians all over the globe, Rahman is a cult figure. The young love him because his blends are wild. His popular numbers have a magical mix of all kinds of sounds. For Rahman, there are no rules, no boundaries in music.
Here's a collection of my favorite A R Rahman movies:
Roja: This is the first movie of what was to become director Mani Ratnams political trilogy (Bombay and Dil Se, being the movies to follow). While not quite as accomplished as the later movies, he develops a very simple story of a young married couple, the subsequent abductment of the husband(Arvind Swamy) by terrorists and how his wife(Madhu) struggled her way through police and politicians to get him back. Though superbly enacted and excellently shot, the crowning glory was Rahman souful music. It matched the mood of the film and the superb cinematography of Kashmir.
Bombay: The story of a Hindu boy marrying a Muslim girl and their struggle during the communal riots in Bombay. Bombay will eternally be remembered for Remo Fernandes's "Hamma Hamma" and Baba Sehgals "Rukmini Rukmini" :-). Rahman was in full-form this time too with other amazing songs such as "Kehna hi Kya" and "Tu hi re".
Rangeela: The story of a roadside romeo (Aamir Khan) falling for an aspiring actress (Urmila Matondkar), Rangeela marked the true entry of Rahman in the world of Hindi Films. Songs about the Aamir love for Urmila, his frustration over not winning her over and Urmila's situations in the movies she was acting provided Rahman ample opportunity to showcase his talent and come up with an outstanding score.
Lagaan: There's hardly anything to complain about Lagaan. From the actual story, acting to the scintillating music of Rahman, Lagaan truly became the torch bearer of Bollywood's films worldwide.
Yuva: Though the film didn't work much at the box office, Rahman was once again at his scintillating best. Watch out for "Kabhi Neem Neem" and "Dol Dol".
Here's a collection of my favorite A R Rahman movies:
Roja: This is the first movie of what was to become director Mani Ratnams political trilogy (Bombay and Dil Se, being the movies to follow). While not quite as accomplished as the later movies, he develops a very simple story of a young married couple, the subsequent abductment of the husband(Arvind Swamy) by terrorists and how his wife(Madhu) struggled her way through police and politicians to get him back. Though superbly enacted and excellently shot, the crowning glory was Rahman souful music. It matched the mood of the film and the superb cinematography of Kashmir.
Bombay: The story of a Hindu boy marrying a Muslim girl and their struggle during the communal riots in Bombay. Bombay will eternally be remembered for Remo Fernandes's "Hamma Hamma" and Baba Sehgals "Rukmini Rukmini" :-). Rahman was in full-form this time too with other amazing songs such as "Kehna hi Kya" and "Tu hi re".
Rangeela: The story of a roadside romeo (Aamir Khan) falling for an aspiring actress (Urmila Matondkar), Rangeela marked the true entry of Rahman in the world of Hindi Films. Songs about the Aamir love for Urmila, his frustration over not winning her over and Urmila's situations in the movies she was acting provided Rahman ample opportunity to showcase his talent and come up with an outstanding score.
Lagaan: There's hardly anything to complain about Lagaan. From the actual story, acting to the scintillating music of Rahman, Lagaan truly became the torch bearer of Bollywood's films worldwide.
Yuva: Though the film didn't work much at the box office, Rahman was once again at his scintillating best. Watch out for "Kabhi Neem Neem" and "Dol Dol".
posted by Shri at 7:19 PM
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