Digital platforms both a blessing and a curse: AR Rahman

Many fell in love with his compositions, voice and musical experiments right from his debut as a composer with Mani Ratnam’s Roja in 1992. AR Rahman virtually shook up the music scene in India when he arrived, with his unique sounds that effortlessly blend Western symphonies into classical Carnatic traditions. The 51year-old composer is now also making his presence felt online. After Harmony With AR Rahman, the Oscarwinning composer is now part of a judging panel in a web reality show.

Rahman, who has brought in several fresh voices through digital platforms, says the medium is a challenge. “Digital platforms are both a blessing and a curse. Earlier, we had limited choice. But now, it forces all of us to go deeper and make something amazing. It also makes us put in more energy into our work for any of it to stay there.”

However, he adds budding musicians now have certain advantages too. “Back in the 1980s or ’90s, the challenge was that a talent should have multiple abilities — gift of the voice, the way they pronounce words, how they could change the way they sounded according to the actors. The main challenge was to sing correctly in front of a huge orchestra. One mistake and everyone would be mad at you. Now, newcomers don’t have this pressure.”

He feels online and television have different audiences, but as an artiste, there is very little one can do about the kind of music being delivered to either. “It’s hard for me to gauge. I was shocked to know someone has listened to ‘Pray for me brother’ four thousand times. I thought only a few people would have heard the song. I just follow my mind and I put all my focus in that one soundtrack. From the beginning, it is all about how true can you be as an artiste and how you can evolve,” he elaborates.

Asked if he was looking at exploring any new genres, Rahman says, “I think it is not about genres. When I compose, it is very important to make a timeless song. So, even with my team now, we are working on something that would stand the test of time.”

In the 1980s or ’90s... the challenge was to sing correctly in front of a huge orchestra. AR RAHMAN MUSICIAN