Mani Ratnam releases A.R. Rahmans biography

It is well-known that music maestro A. R. Rahman is a man of few words and truly so,it took author Nasreen Munni Kabir almost six years to complete his biography. The book titled A. R. Rahman: The Spirit Of Music was released at the hands of filmmaker Mani Ratnam who gave Rahman a break in films with his Roja in 1992. Published by Om Books International,it was released at a Mumbai suburban 5-star in the presence of filmmakers Subhash Ghai,Ashutosh Gowariker,Ram Gopal Varma,Imtiaz Ali,Akbar Khan,Govind Nihalani,percussionist Sivamani,Lalitha Lajmi,Sanjeevani Bhelande and many others. Rahmans wife Saira Banoo,mother and sister were also present on the occasion.

A. R. Rahman: The Spirit Of Music,which has been written in a conversational format,traces the composers life and musical journey with a lot of personal photographs. Speaking on the occasion,Rahman thanked all the people who had supported him during his endeavour over the years. Mani- sir is my mentor while Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan is my guru. I am grateful to Subhash Ghai for introducing me to Hindi films and teaching me its nuances and to Ashutosh Gowariker,who was instrumental in teaching me the spelling of Oscars. All of them are stepping-stones in my life, he said,recalling a time when he had bought a studio but had no money to buy any equipment. And it was his mother who sold some of his sisters jewellery and gave him the much-required Rs 4 lakh.

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Mani Ratnam recalled the time when he first met the kid at a gathering and was invited to his studio which was nothing like the well-equipped one to which he was used. It was a small room in his house,with equipment and a swing, said the director.

Nasreen Munni Kabir described how she had to travel to many places over a period of six years to get to know the real Rahman and make him talk to me. What I realised from my encounters with him is that he is not shy,but only a bit reserved. He will open up if he knows that the conversation is going to be worth his while, she let us know,adding that the book was actually completed in over a period of three months recently.

namita.nivasexpressindia.com