A. R. Rahman is a famous Indian composer and musician. He's known for creating beautiful music for movies and has won many awards, including Oscars, for his outstanding work.
1) Success comes to those who dedicate everything to their passion in life. To be successful, it is also very important to be humble and never let fame or money travel to your head.
Success often finds those who wholeheartedly pursue their life's passion. However, it's crucial to stay humble and grounded, resisting the allure of fame and wealth.
2) Your inner voice is the voice of divinity. To hear it, we need to be in solitude, even in crowded places.
Your inner voice is like a special, divine guide inside you. To listen to it, find quiet moments, even in busy places, where you can connect with your thoughts and feelings.
3) When you do something with a lot of honesty, appetite, and commitment, the input is reflected in the output.
When you truly give your all, with sincerity, enthusiasm, and dedication, it shows in the results you achieve. Your hard work and passion shine through in what you create or accomplish.
4) Each one of us has our evolution of life, and each one of us goes through different tests that are unique and challenging. But certain things are common. And we do learn things from each other's experiences. On a spiritual journey, we all have the same destination.
We all have our own life journeys with unique challenges, but we share common experiences and learn from each other. On a spiritual path, our destination is the same - growth and understanding.
5) I believe that whatever comes at a particular time is a blessing from God.
This statement means that the speaker thinks that everything that happens in their life, whether good or bad, is a gift or opportunity from a higher power, which they refer to as God.
6) My music is mostly for the music. And it gives me the liberty to do anything which I want. And nobody limits me to one genre of music. But I learn from life and I try to give back to life, in a way, whether it's the thought of the song or whether it's the approach to the arrangement or anything.
My music is all about freedom. It lets me explore any style I want, without limits. I draw inspiration from life and aim to give something back through my songs, whether in their message or how I arrange them.
7) I was a common man, and I will always remain a common man. No amount of stardom will ever consume my soul. Money comes, money goes. Fame comes, fame goes. I believe every human being is a celebrity in their own right.
I used to be just an ordinary person, and I'll always stay that way. Being famous or having lots of money won't change who I am. These things come and go. I think every person is special in their own way, like a celebrity in their own life.
8) Music is the only passion I shamelessly indulge in. However, for recreation, I enjoy watching movies. 'Wizard of Oz' was the first film I ever saw, followed by the 'Bond' movies. I also watch a lot of World Cinema through DVDs mostly brought by one of my best friends who's now based in Toronto.
That's great! Music is my all-time passion. I indulge in it shamelessly. But for fun, I love watching movies. The first film I ever saw was 'The Wizard of Oz,' and I've also enjoyed the 'James Bond' movies. I get to explore a lot of world cinema through DVDs, mostly thanks to one of my best friends who now lives in Toronto. It's a fantastic way to discover different cultures and stories on the big screen.
9) It's like driving your car. If you drive too fast on the highway, you will topple, so you better maintain your speed. Life is similar to that, and that's the way you have to control your head.
Life is like driving a car. If you speed too much, you might crash. So, it's important to maintain a steady pace and control your thoughts, just like you control your car to stay safe on the highway.
10) I have too many responsibilities and principles. There's no time for 'guilty' pleasures.
I have a lot of important things to do, and I stick to my values. I don't have time for things that make me feel guilty but aren't really important.
11) I'm a Sufi Muslim, I would say. I believe in using the medium to create a good vibration because art is so important to society. For some projects, I don't do it because I feel that it's going to create a bad vibe. I don't do propaganda films that are anti another religion, anti-Muslim, or anti-Hindu.
I'm a Sufi Muslim, which means I use art to spread positive vibes. Art is crucial for society. I avoid projects that create negativity or promote hatred towards any religion, including anti-Muslim or anti-Hindu content. I believe in using my craft for harmony and positivity.
12) I compose music for films, and by the grace of God, I've got a few awards. That's it.
I create music for movies, and fortunately, I've won some awards for it. That's the gist of it, all thanks to some good fortune.
13) I think music, in my opinion, is not about motivation in the way it's - it's not a running base. It's art. And my whole philosophy of music is different. It's almost like cooking and serving people, seeing them smile, and enjoying the food.
In my view, music isn't just a motivator like a workout playlist. It's an art form, more like cooking a delicious meal and seeing people enjoy it with smiles.
14) The institution of marriage works better when there's a spiritual connection. If you're marrying just for the sake of the woman, then you may lose interest in each other very soon. When we marry in the interest of the Holy Spirit to serve God and humanity, then it gives a much larger perspective.
Marriage is stronger when there's a deep spiritual bond. If it's only for the person, interest might fade. But when it's for a higher purpose, like serving God and others, it brings a broader perspective.
15) If there is no criticism, you become lazy. But it should be constructive, and it should be the truth. If it's biased and there's no truth in it, then I don't care about it. If it's true, it helps me grow.
Criticism can be a good thing if it's truthful and helpful. It keeps you from being lazy and helps you improve. But if it's unfair or untrue, it's not worth caring about. Honest criticism makes you better.
16) I joined the Madras Christian College but dropped out after three months. Telugu music director Ramesh Naidu asked me to assist him, and I did so for over a year. I did think of rejoining college, but by then, I was discovering the musician in me. I worked with Illaya Raja and Raj Koti and soon shifted to commercials. This led to movie offers.
I joined Madras Christian College but left after three months. Telugu music director Ramesh Naidu asked me to assist him for a year. I considered returning to college, but I was discovering my passion for music. I worked with Illaya Raja and Raj Koti, then transitioned to commercials, which eventually led to movie opportunities.
17) The idea of music is to liberate the listener and lead him to a frame where he feels he is elevated.
Music aims to set the listener free and transport them to a place where they feel uplifted and elevated.
18) The more I compose, the more I know that I don't know it all. I think it's a good way to start. If you think you know it all, the work becomes a repetition of what you've already done. I try to make sure that I don't repeat my music.
When I create music, I realize that there's always more to learn. That's a good thing. If you believe you know everything, your work just repeats itself. I aim to keep my music fresh and avoid repetition.
19) A good film demands its score, and if you are a musician, your conscience will never allow you to do something mediocre for a good film.
A great movie needs great music, and if you're a musician, you'll always strive to create exceptional music for a great film. Your artistic integrity won't settle for anything less.
20) Beautiful film music can be made relevant to any period.
Creating beautiful film music is a timeless art. It can be adapted to suit any era or time period, adding emotional depth and resonance to the storytelling.
21) If you respect a language and culture, it shows in your work.
Respecting a language and culture is evident in your efforts and results. It means your work reflects a deep appreciation and understanding of the values and traditions associated with that language and culture.
22) I feel blessed and humbled that people have loved my music. Nothing would be possible without their acceptance.
I'm grateful and honored that people enjoy my music. Their support means everything to me, and I couldn't do it without them.
23) I love classical music. I love a lot of musicians playing together and the whole culture of that, whether it's Indian or it's Western.
I appreciate your love for classical music! It's amazing when many musicians come together to create beautiful music, whether it's the rich traditions of Indian classical music or the harmonies of Western classical music.
24) When I travel with my kids abroad, I am not myself, but I'm more of a father who wants to protect them. Sometimes, I am even aggressive about certain things and get surprised seeing myself like that: for instance, when people want to take pictures of them. I am fine if they want to take my pictures, but they are not public property.
When I go on trips with my kids to other countries, I become a different person. I'm not just myself; I'm like a protective father. Sometimes, I can even get a bit aggressive, especially when people want to take pictures of my children. I'm okay with people taking my picture, but my kids aren't public property, and that surprises me.
25) I grew up on Bach and Beethoven, and now I'm listening to more modern composers whom I can't even name. But since I'm constantly doing music, it's difficult to have that quality time to listen to music and do classical stuff.
I used to listen to Bach and Beethoven as a kid, but now I'm into newer composers I can't even name. Being busy with music makes it hard to enjoy classical music and explore new tunes.
26) Wisdom comes from within. Knowledge is acquired and can sometimes put a screen on your wisdom.
Wisdom is like your inner compass, while knowledge is what you learn from the outside. Sometimes, too much knowledge can cloud your wisdom, so it's important to balance both.
27) Every time I sit for a song, I feel I am finished. It's like a beggar sitting waiting for God to fill your bowl with the right thought. In every song, I ask for help from Him. Everybody around is so good, so to create music that will connect with so many people is not humanly possible without inspiration.
Every time I start writing a song, I feel like I've hit a creative wall. It's like being a beggar, waiting for a divine idea to fill my mind. I seek inspiration from a higher power in every song. There are so many talented people around me, and creating music that resonates with many isn't something I can do on my own. It's a reminder that I need that spark of inspiration to make something truly special.
28) Comedy is a universal language. I grew up watching Nagesh, Surilirajan, Thenga Srinivasan, and S.V. Shekhar's comedies. And, of course, Charlie Chaplin! These artists are so blessed: they can make other people happy.
Comedy is like a language everyone understands. I watched funny folks like Nagesh, Surilirajan, Thenga Srinivasan, S.V. Shekhar, and the legendary Charlie Chaplin while growing up. These talented comedians have a special gift - they can bring joy to people's lives.
29) So long as you do it truthfully, music is not to be judged.
Music is a form of expression, and there's no right or wrong way to create it. As long as you're honest and sincere in your music, it shouldn't be judged or criticized.
30) I love great lyrics, and I love the way they could shape a tune into a very unpredictable one, I also like taking a great melody and putting lyrics into it.
I really enjoy awesome song lyrics. They can turn a regular tune into something exciting and unique. Plus, I also like adding lyrics to a fantastic melody.
31) Compared with other Indian film composers, I only write about six movies a year. Others write up to 60.
When it comes to making music for Indian films, I'm a bit different from other composers. While they might work on as many as 60 movies in a year, I focus on fewer projects, usually around six. This allows me to give more attention to each film's music and create something special.
32) I usually work on a film soundtrack for two years, turning in a song every few months, and that keeps my creative energy high because I'm constantly rotating projects. The trick is to make sure I don't work too hard and get exhausted.
I usually spend two years working on the music for a movie. During this time, I create a new song every few months. This helps me stay creative because I'm always working on different projects. The key is to make sure I don't overwork myself and get too tired.
33) Bollywood music is a big part of Indian music and can be a great way to introduce people to sound. But I hope to continue to incorporate other types of Indian music into my work.
Bollywood music is like a colorful musical feast, a big part of Indian tunes that many love. But I want to mix in more flavors of Indian music in my creations, like a rich blend of spices in a dish.
34) My kids miss me when I'm away, but I don't mind living out of a suitcase. The U.K., U.S., France, Germany, Iraq... It's such a thrill meeting people of different cultures, and learning about and from them. It's changed my perception of life, humanity, and spirituality.
Traveling for work might mean being away from my kids, but I love it. From the U.K. to the U.S., France, Germany, and even Iraq, I've lived out of a suitcase. Meeting people from diverse cultures is thrilling. It's reshaped how I see life, humanity, and spirituality.
35) The demand in India is to have a hit, which becomes a promotion for the movie and makes people come to the theater. You have five songs and different promotions based on those. But when I do Western films, the need for originality is greater. Then I became very conscious about the writing.
In India, movies often rely on a hit song to promote and draw audiences to theaters. There are usually five songs with unique promotions. But in Western films, originality in storytelling is more crucial. This made me more aware of the importance of good writing.
36) My mother insisted that I pursue music. I rented out my father's musical equipment and earned some money. As a child, I wasn't sure about a career goal, but I was always fascinated by electronic gadgets, especially musical equipment.
My mom really wanted me to do music. I ended up renting my dad's music stuff and making some cash. When I was a kid, I didn't know what job I wanted, but I always loved electronic gadgets, especially music gear.
37) My mother's belief in spiritual healers grew stronger after our family went through a rough patch following my father's death. Sufi saint Karimullah Shah Kadri changed our lives, and all of us converted to Sufism. But it wasn't an instantaneous decision - it took us 10 years to convert. The change in religion was like washing away the past.
After my father passed away, my mother sought solace in spiritual healers. It was a challenging time for our family. We eventually found comfort in the teachings of Sufi saint Karimullah Shah Kadri. This profound transformation led all of us to embrace Sufism. However, this decision didn't happen overnight; it took us a decade to fully embrace this new faith. Converting to Sufism felt like a fresh start, a cleansing of our past troubles, and a path to spiritual healing and renewal.
38) For me, there is no day or night for music. I often work through the night - without phone calls disturbing me.
I'm glad you're enthusiastic about music! It sounds like you enjoy working on music projects during the night when it's peaceful and without interruptions from phone calls. Music knows no time boundaries for you.
39) Some things are very low profile, but if they excite me creatively, I accept them. Sometimes there are high-profile projects, and you have to do it. We all have human limitations. It is a painful decision to turn things down. Even accepting 'Slumdog Millionaire' was a decision that I had to sacrifice for another project.
I take on projects that excite me, whether they're big or small. Sometimes, I have to accept high-profile projects even when I'm busy. We all have limits, and it's tough to say no. For example, doing 'Slumdog Millionaire' meant sacrificing another project.
40) I think I can get away, sometimes, with walking in the streets and not getting noticed. I like that. I want my work to get noticed, not me. And it's slowly getting there, which is good.
I can walk in the streets without being noticed. I prefer my work to stand out, not me. It's gradually gaining recognition, which is great.
41) After a point of time, when you get success and fame, money and everything, the purpose of life has to be redefined. For me, I think that purpose is to build bridges. Artists can do that very easily, more than politicians.
Once you achieve success, fame, and wealth, life's meaning changes. I believe it's about building connections. Artists can do this better than politicians, forging bonds that transcend boundaries and unite people.
42) While my mother wanted me to be a musician, I wanted to become an electronic engineer.
My mom hoped I'd be a musician, but I dreamt of being an electronic engineer.
43) It's true that I love to connect with my fans on social networking sites, but I try not to go overboard, ever. I just give people a peek into my mind space, but never bombard them with my tweets.
I love connecting with fans on social media, but I avoid overwhelming them. I share glimpses of my thoughts without bombarding them with tweets. It's about striking a balance and respecting their space.
44) Sometimes, a remix is good because it reaches a whole new generation. But when it gets too much, it's irritating. Also, the original composer needs to be credited properly.
A remix can be great when it introduces music to a new audience. However, if there are too many remixes, it can become annoying. It's important to give credit to the original creator.
45) I am a friend when I need to be a friend, a father when I need to be a father, a musician when music calls. I switch roles accordingly.
I adapt to different roles in life. When it's time to be a friend, I'm a friend. When I need to be a father, I step into that role. Likewise, I become a musician when music calls me. I switch roles as needed.
46) The more dollars the studio producers put in, the less freedom we have. If the budget hits $100m, they get scared - they'll take the existing score of a successful movie and expect composers to copy it, like wallpaper. The biggest challenge for any composer in Hollywood is to be as creative as possible within those boundaries.
When movie studios invest a lot of money, they often limit composers' creative freedom. If the budget reaches $100 million, studios may want composers to mimic past successes. Composers in Hollywood must be creative within these constraints.
47) I want young Indian composers to be able to do more than just film music. I want to give them the skills that will enable them to create their palette of sounds instead of having to write formulaic music. It doesn't matter if they become sound engineers, producers, composers, or performers - I want them to be as imaginative as they like.
I aspire for young Indian composers to do more than just film music. I aim to equip them with skills to craft their unique sounds, freeing them from formulaic music. Whether as a sound engineer, producer, composer, or performer, I encourage boundless creativity.
48) I follow a simple formula when I compose. I ask myself, 'What would the audience want to hear?' and 'Why would they buy my CDs?' And the process of answering these questions through music follows. Sometimes, it works. Sometimes, it backfires.
When I make music, I keep it simple. I think, "What do people want to hear, and why would they buy my music?" I use these answers to guide my music, but it doesn't always work perfectly. Sometimes it goes well, other times not so much.
49) I am the kind of person who does not like to carry baggage. I don't go back and listen to my music. I believe in closing chapters and moving forward. That's what gives me peace.
I'm the type who doesn't hold onto the past. I don't revisit my music. I find peace in closing chapters and looking ahead. Letting go of baggage helps me feel at ease.
50) I divide criticism into two categories - one coming from those who understand music, who are worthy of being critical because they are knowledgeable about what they are saying; and then there is another category of people who would criticize you anyway, whether your work is good or bad.
I split criticism into two groups. The first is from music experts who know their stuff; their feedback is valuable. The second is from folks who'd criticize no matter what.
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