The Mozart of Madras, A.R. Rahman was a picture of class at a recent award ceremony, when he got on stage to receive the Global Living Legend honour.
Dressed in an ethnic maroon and black kurta, he was quite profound with his speech while addressing the audience. “I think the trick is to be a student all your life… you constantly keep learning from everyone you meet, and I still do. And somewhere down the line, that’s changed me a lot,” he said.
He goes on, “Chennai is a true hub of music for the country, and we have an incredible array of talent here. But more exposure and globalisation was required — and here I was, in a position to facilitate that process. Normally, I’m not the kind of person who would do such things — start a college, go to Hollywood with my music and promote India there and so on — but I became a different individual and did these things. That’s what life has pushed me to do. I guess, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve also become more fearless… I should try to do everything I want, before time runs out!”
He adds, “My father, R.K. Shekhar, was someone who still is a big source of inspiration for me; he promoted many musicians and that legacy still stands with me,” Rahman concludes.
