For Indian film music lovers the name of A.R.Rahman brings a reverence. This young genius revolutionized Indian film music. From the get-go the music of Rahman was  super hit.  Even today the tunes of Roja  ring loud and clear. Rahman made Indians proud by winning Oscar and Grammy awards. 

The reputed Berklee College of Music honored the multi-talented Indian music composer A R Rahman with an honorary doctorate. In an open interview held at the Berklee College of Music, Rahman shared great insights into his life and music. 

“I was in school when suddenly my mother came and said I need to quit school since there was a request from a film director to work on the music for his film. I did and life took its own course then” says Rahman. 

Rahman's film career began in 1992 when he started Panchathan Record Inn, a recording and mixing studio in his backyard. It would become the most-advanced recording studio in India,[19] and arguably one of Asia's most sophisticated and high-tech studios.  His father, R. K. Shekhar, was a film-score composer and conductor for Tamil andMalayalam films; Rahman assisted his father in the studio, playing the keyboard. After his father's death when Rahman was nine years old, the rental of his father's musical equipment provided his family's income He mastered the keyboard, piano, synthesizer, harmonium and guitar, and was particularly interested in the synthesizer because it was the "ideal combination of music and technology"

“Today it is a special honor to be here. At one time I was seriously considering studying at Berklee. I had made all the arrangements when suddenly, as luck would have it I got and offer from Mani Ratinam to do Roja.  Meeting Mani Ratinam to me was almost like meeting Spielberg, actually even more exciting since he was an Indian director” . He was given a honorary doctorate. 

What amazes one about Rahman is his absolutely humility.  What is your inspiration for great compostition? “I have a terrific band with amazing musicians in it.   There are great talents like Guitar Prasana. I need to write music that is worth their talent” said Rahman. 

Does he ever get writers block? What does he do to handle that? “I  am not sure I know the answer. There was a time when I felt the block. It so happened that I was fasting the next day and I went on to write a piece. The result was Vennilavae Vennilavae. I really do not how it happened but it turned out to be a hit”

Who do you think of as your mentor or Guru? “I am a constant learner. Even today when I came here and watched the rehearsal of the students I learned from it. I have learned so much from everyone I work with.  Directors have taught me a lot”

What is the secret to your energy? “Once one removes the “I “ the energy of the world comes into you and then you can do anything” 

“I constantly seek new things.  At the peak of my career in the film industry I left India to work with Andrew Lloyd Webber on Bombay Dreams.  I did not know how he would like my music. It was a great learning experience. “

 Why did he choose to establish a conservatory in India? “Music industry needs western trained musicians in India. We constantly have to rely on outside training. It is my hope that the conservatory will help foster talent in India” 

He played the Hapige for the audience. When asked to sing a few notes he refused saying “ I more critical of my vocals than my music. I will sing when I am prepared” 

A true pleasure to listen to simple straightforward answers from a prodigy.