I saw A.R. Rahman - A day to remember!

The first thing I noticed in the Feb 7th edition of Metro Plus was the Ad (White font on an attractive Blue background!) on the launch of Violin duo Ganesh-Kumaresh’s new album titled CARNATIC chills. I could not beleive my eyes when I read the next line - by A.R.Rahman and Vikku Vinayakaram!. More to my interest, the duo would perform CARNATIC chills on stage the same day and the entry was free (A pass to be collected at the venue!). I was very much delighted - an opportunity to listen to a concert and an opportunity to see a man who I adore and admire a lot!

The very next day evening, I was in Narada Gana Sabha - the venue. To my surprise, there were enough passes still left when I got for me. I still had my doubts on Rahman making his presence, nevertheless, I could listen to a good concert and still be contempt. One noticeable thing was Rahman’s name in a smaller font signifying the album more than HIM!!

The day finally arrived - 10th february it was. The function was to start at 6 pm and I somehow managed to get there with my parents on time. Minutes later, Sourav (my house mate) joined me into the hall. He too was very much anxious - the thought of seeing Rahman at a stone-throwing distance! We waited and waited till the clock showed 6.45 pm and the screens went up. There they were - the brothers, well set to start the concert with Keith Peters (very popular Bass-Guitarist), Arun kumar (on the drums) and Dhanasekar (on the keyboard). I said to Sourav - It may well be that Rahman turns up towards the end of the concert so the hall remains full for the entire concert. (by saying this I don’t take any credit away from the brothers - they ARE definitely crowd-pullers.)

The concert started with a piece in Nattai. Quite an impressive start it was. An announcement was made that Rahman was on his way!!! And he got a big roar from the crowd! A few words were spoken about the album to be released - It is meant to be an album with a difference. Whatever, the Sapthaswara form the base.The second was set in the ragam Mohanasri - a member of the Mohanam family. This was very good and the Shruthi Bedam done half-way was excellent.

No Rahman Yet.

The third was based on the Ragam Panthuvarali. Keith Peters played the Ragam to everyone’s admiration, except for my mother’s who (teaches music), thought he played something. Ravichandra (Flute) joined the group for this piece. This too, was a treat. When the song neared its climax there was the roar again for the MAN entered the hall and reached for a seat on the first row. Minutes later, the Ghatam Maestro too arrived and not a single camera missed them.Two more pieces in Chakravakam and Janaranjani – brilliant bowing from the duo. How rapid were they!!! And now was the time to formally launch the audio of CARNATIC chills!

The function was over in a little over 15 minutes with Rahman speaking only few words… not more than four lines, a bit flattery though! Vikkumama was all praise for the duo and his speech included a credit to Rahman for making him play in a concert in the US. Not a single camera stopped clicking him in! The attention then moved outside to his waiting car. People were just clinging to it as though it were Rahman himself. Some were moving here n there to make sure they don’t miss him when he comes out. Most of them Autograph-hunters! They somehow wanted to get their books signed by the master. Few minutes later, he came out smiling amidst loud cheers to reach for his car. There were screams – We love you Rahman!!! He did sign a few of them and hurried to his car that sped away so fast leaving some in extreme happiness and some ‘just-missed’!!! Anyway it was like seeing a blue moon so near!! An unforgettable day indeed!

I met Guitar Prasanna & Writer Sujatha

It (19/12) was an eventful day – a day that I’ll never forget. Hope you are aware of the music season that has started in Chennai. There are many Sabhas and Academies that organize music (and dance too) concerts thru’out the entire month. I have the habit of attending concerts whenever I find it possible. Yesterday it was Guitar Prasanna’s concert at Rani Seethai hall which is quite walkable from my office. The concert was to start at 6.15 pm and I had got the ticket at 4.15 pm. I had some work, so reached the hall only at 7.30 pm. I expected the hall to be full and when I showed my ticket the person changed my seat number – from T row to L row. As I didn’t know the seating arrangement I thought I was moved back due to more crowd. But when I entered, I was quite astonished. There were not even 50 people… probably 20-30. But the team on stage was in full spirit and they were enjoying it. I was wondering how such a talented artist could be neglected! He does deserve a full hall. The team also had a big name in S. Karthick on the Ghatam. But then, putting these thoughts aside, I started to enjoy the concert. At the end of that piece, Prasanna said people have become too conservative. He cited an example of Muthuswamy Dikshithar who had composed some western notes. When he was about to play the next it was interrupted as there was some feedback coming out of the Amp. After battling out for 20 minutes he resumed with one in Mohanam, a song from his album ‘Electric Ganesha’ and ended with one more of his creation – ‘Bowling for Peace’ which sounded like a bhajan. It was 9 pm and I thought I would congratulate him and was about to enter the stage, but then, a very respectable man who too wanted to meet Prasanna was waiting and I stayed back. On looking closer, I recognized him as SUJATHA, the writer. I was happy that I got an opportunity to meet two celebrities at one place. They started to talk with Sujatha praising him for his performance and encouraging him to create new Ragas. Prasanna revealed that the piece Bowling for Peace was itself an experiment. It would seem like a Raga but will not come under the name of any. Their topic moved on to films. The crux of their talk was – Prasanna was to score music for a Balaji Shaktivel (director of Samurai and Kaadhal) film under Shankar’s banner and he had composed/ recorded 3 songs when Shankar wanted changes in the script – he wanted it to be youth-oriented. The dialogues were to be done by Sujatha. Shankar became busy with Veyyil and Shivaji and could not concentrate on this project and it is put on hold. Sujatha said dialogues for Shivaji are over – his part and the film could be expected on 13th (april, maybe). So, when Shivaji gets released, this film crew could be expected to start work. Prasanna also added that Rahman was to sing a song in that film!!!! Great, thought I. I got their autographs too. It is not often that we run into 2 celebrities and more so when they speak professionally. I will never forget the day. On a lighter note, I spoke to Sujatha saying I was a native of Srirangam. Fact is he was a neighbor to my mother’s family at East Chitra Street. When I said my perima’s name he identified her as a good singer and said he still remembers them. Ain’t cool!!