Monday February 1, 2010

Double Grammy for A R Rahman

Posted by Karthik

No point in stating the obvious, since the news sites have carried it adequately – AFP and NDTV. But, this double-win should put to rest the murmurs that Slumdog Millionaire’s score is ‘not one of Rahman’s best’. I’ve heard it being said so many times, every time someone started the Oscar topic – and I tend to agree too – but only partly. The point is, we see the score from our Indian perspective but stubbornly refuse to see it from anybody else’s point of view. Perhaps, we Indians do not know how to see it any other way. The truth here is that Rahman’s undiscovered gems – undiscovered by the West, that is – may remain undiscovered forever and may not win him multiple Oscar/ Grammys in the future. Simple reason? They were scored with us Indians in mind.

Today is as momentous an occasion as the Oscars morning for India, last year. I just hope Rahman doesn’t fritter away the opportunity on films like Couples Retreat which have absolutely no scope for decent music and the soundtrack proved that too. I wish this Grammy gives him access to better directors who value his music and create scripts to include Rahman’s music as an integral part of their narrative. Clichéd, but…Jai Ho…again!

  • pman

    It is unfortunate that rehman was awarded before the main event was televised.

  • arunm

    Thank you..you said it.

  • nv

    Karthik though I understand what you are trying to say, I look at this differently. The score won Oscars because of good promotion by Fox and Grammys because of good sales in 2009 – both of which happened because the ‘movie’ was successful across the world.

    Most people (in the West), esp. in the music scene, don’t consider SLM’s score to be the best of 2008/09.

    All said, congrats to thala (ARR) and best wishes to the rest in Indian Music industry!!

  • balajik

    Karthik,

    Do you mean “If someone composes music with Indians in mind, that is not Oscar/Grammy-worthy”. Aren’t our folk/carnatic/hindustani considered as music by the west? If it is so, should we consider it as an international award? clarify

  • Karthik

    balajik: Good question. But no, composing with Indians in mind will only go so far, ‘cos Indians do not sit in the jury that decides the award. Even with global influences, everything has a target audience and we haven’t found a way to crack something that appeals to the entire world – well, there are a few films like Titanic, Avatar etc, but in music, we’ve Jackson.

    As long as the jury of any award thinks its worthy for an (any) award, our music is in good stead with regard to that award ceremony. Else, we’re there to appreciate it and that’s award enough.

  • balajik

    Karthik, I see ‘Grammy’ as a recognition from the west for an Indian composer and not for the Indian music.I would be happy if the west could appreciate indian music like we appreciate jazz, western classical, pop,rock,etc.,

  • balajik

    ‘Grammy’ – I meant Grammy awards for A R Rahman

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  • prasanth

    I cannot digest how ARR won this and the oscars for jaiho. whatever be the perception of the west. if you see it from a pure musical perspective without considering the movie, who composed the song etc. the song is not that great.

    if the same song was composed for some unpopular hollywood movie then i guess it would have won nothing.

  • jaydeep

    Karthik,
    I agree, music sensibilities in USA are totally different. One has to cross over in true sense to appeal to the grammy/oscar sensibilities, and Rahman has done it with this soundtrack as a compilation.
    But again, Jai Ho..a very bollywoodish track winning at both the events!! Isn’t it ironic??

  • en_arvind

    @Prasanth – Any music requires a platform to be known …the movie SDM provided that platform. Beyond that for a song to become popular it has to be good and to become as popular as Jai Ho it has be Very good. If you are saying that the song is not that great and it is popular because of the movie, why did say a “O saya” or “Dreams on Fire” not become popular?

    The west doesn’t require to be gratuitous towards India or ARR or Danny Boyle to shower so many awards on Jai Ho and SDM…they are showering these awards as they found the song very good and something fresh & new. Let’s stop this criticism and unfounded nit-picking of Jai Ho not being “ARR Standards” or “we have heard better from ARR” and revel in his unprecendented and in my opinion unmatcheable success by any Indian musician !

  • prasanth

    I wasn’t reinstating the fact that the song is not upto ARR standards. I was saying that the song is a OKish song by ANY standards.

    You are true that they dont have to be gratuitous. I haven’t heard the other songs in the nominations list. The only reason I can think of is lack of competition as hollywood movies normally dont give that much importance to soundtracks as compared to say bollywood.

  • sekhar

    @prasanth

    Take some pills. it will help you digest and get some bowel movement.

  • sekhar

    @prasanth,
    If my previous comment hurt you. Just think it through. If a guy who has no achievements can be hurt by others comments, how do you expect a.r.rahman or any other really hard working music director or their fans to react to comments from people like you.

    The worst of all you didnot even hear the other songs. I clearly see some preceived dislike against rahman and you try to cover it up with some sugar coated logic…

    Take it easy….don’t thing too hard about indians getting recognition however unworthy YOU think them to be…

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