Despite being one of the biggest names in the industry, Rahman sees himself first as a listener. That’s why he doesn’t mind when his songs are remade.
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Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman believes that music has the power to influence the way people think and live. In a recent conversation, the 58-year-old music maestro spoke about how the world has become more open to sounds from across cultures and why today’s generation is hungry for meaningful music and poetry.
Rahman explained that unlike the past, when cultures were more guarded, today people welcome experiments.
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“You can take Indian notes and play them on Turkish instruments, and people will still enjoy it,” he said.
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According to him, this blending of traditions has created a global soundscape where creativity knows no borders.
The composer himself has been exploring this freedom by collaborating with artists he discovers online. Recently, he connected with a Turkish string player, a dhol player from Pune, and a classical vocalist from Lucknow, all through social media.
“I listen to music everywhere, on the radio, iTunes, Spotify, even reels. If I like someone’s work, I just send them a DM. They reply. The world is smaller now, and that’s wonderful,” AR Rahman shared.
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Despite being one of the biggest names in the industry, Rahman sees himself first as a listener. That’s why he doesn’t mind when his songs are remade. “I get excited to hear new versions. I always ask myself, will this excite me? Will this excite the people? That’s what matters. As long as people are listening, I am happy,” he said.
For Rahman, music is a reflection of society. He strongly believes that the kind of music people consume has a direct effect on their behavior. “When bad music spreads, it influences people negatively. But good lyrics and good melodies can inspire and uplift society,” he explained.
He added that the world is already chaotic, and music should not add to that noise. Instead, it should calm and heal. “People are longing for good music and poetry to come back,” Rahman said.
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