MUSIC maestro A.R. Rahman’s dream run continues on the global front. The ‘Mozart of Madras’ scaled a new high on Monday by winning two trophies at the 52nd annual Grammy Awards for his music in last year’s Oscar-winning film, Slumdog Millionaire.
Rahman won the best compilation soundtrack album (for a motion picture, TV or other visual media) for Slumdog Millionaire. His song Jai ho, from the same film, got a trophy in the best song (written for motion picture, TV or other visual media) category.
Rahman shared the best song trophy with lyricist Gulzar and Tanvi Shah, who penned the Spanish lyrics of the hit number. Incidentally, he is the first Indian to win two Grammys, and that too in the same year. “This is insane, god is great again,” Rahman said while accepting the second award. “Awards are better not expected… It’s a good surprise, actually a great surprise. I just want to carry on doing my work.”
“It’s like the culmination of a roller-coaster ride. It has come a full circle because the Grammys are like the father of all music awards,” he added.
Rahman’s Slumdog Millionaire album competed with names such as Steve Jordan for Cadillac Records, Quentin Tarantino for Inglourious Basterds, and biggies such as Twilight and True Blood in the best compilation soundtrack album category. In the best song category, Rahman beat competition from Bruce Springsteen for his song in the film, The Wrestler.
Rahman, 44, said all the recognition and awards in the West have actually come as a huge surprise. “I never even dreamt about winning all these awards,” he tweeted after winning the trophies, thanking, among others, “Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle, mentors Mani Ratnam, Shekhar Kapur and Subhash Ghai, family members and musicians”.
RAHMAN’S sister Reihana felt it was “ a good start to the year”. “ It’s a way of life now since he has already won so many ( awards),” she said.
Rahman said music needs more government patronage in India. “ I hope it opens more doors for the creativity India has,” he said after his wins.
Sukhwinder Singh, who lent his voice to Jai ho, said: “ I told Rahman he deserved a Grammy. A genius should be awarded as he deserves.” Gulzar sent Rahman a congratulatory message saying he was getting used to “ the twins”, referring to his two Oscars and two Grammys.
“ It is a moment of great pride,” he said.
Oscar- winning sound artiste Resul Pookutty felt Rahman’s wins at the Grammys signal India’s emergence as a global creative superpower.
Ghai said of Rahman: “ He never tries to win any award.
So he never politicises his work, which makes it pious.” “ Rahman’s music has an inherent melody that stands him in good stead as the West has forgotten what melody is,” filmmaker Kapur said.
Rahman’s win has also excited bigwig Hollywood filmmaker Baz Luhrmann, whose Moulin Rouge is widely regarded as a tribute to Bollywood- style song- and- dance routine. “ Rahman is a legend and it is my privilege to have met him. I will send him an email tonight on his win at the Grammys,” he said. B UT SAROD legend Amjad Ali Khan, nominated in the best traditional world music album category for his new album Ancient Sounds, and tabla genius Zakir Hussain, nominated in the best classical crossover album category for his album The Melody of Rhythm, did not win.
Now Rahman will get ready to hit the Oscar trail once again. This year, he is in the running for the number Na na in Couple’s Retreat.
Despite all the adulation, Rahman insists he is not shifting to Hollywood. “ I am grounded in India. The awards just mean that I have more responsibility and I will be expanding my roles and getting involved more creatively in the process of filmmaking,” the composer said.
Award goes to
Album of the Year: Fearless (Taylor Swift) Record of the Year: Use Somebody (Kings of Leon) Song of the Year: Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) (Beyonce) Best Compilation Soundtrack For A Motion Picture: Slumdog Millionaire (A.R. Rahman) Best Motion Picture Song: Jai Ho (A.R.
Rahman, Gulzar and Tanvi Shah) Best New Artist: Zac Brown Band Best Female Pop Vocal Performance: Halo (Beyonce) Best Male Pop Vocal Performance: Make It Mine (Jason Mraz) Best Pop Vocal Album: The E.N.D. (The Black Eyed Peas) Best Rock Album: 21st Century Breakdown (Green Day) Best R&B Album: Blacksummers’ Night (Maxwell) Best Rap Album: Relapse (Eminem)
TWITTERATI GOES RA-RA-RAHMAN
Deepika Padukone: “And to AR Rahman… Congratulations! Love the track from Couples Retreat….” Lara Dutta: “That’s a fantastic achievement! We wish u many more!! God bless!” Mallika Sherawat: CONGRATS A.R.!!! CONGRATS INDIA!!! Jai hoooooooo!!!! Ssso proud:-)” Shreya Ghosal: “What great news to wake up to this morning. Double grammy:) this is just the beginning, sir.”