Saluting Rahman: Musicians Pay A Tribute To Rahman On his 51st Birthday

Lata Mangeshkar: “A R Rahman bahot talented insaan  hain. I’ve sung very few songs for him. I love Jiya jale in Dil Se, Khamoshiyan gun-guna lagi (1 2 Ka 4) ,O paalan hare(Lagaan) and  Luka chuppi(Rang De Basanti).  A R  Rahman and I came together for  the first time for the evergreen Jiya jale  in Mani Rathnam’s Dil  Se.Then we  collaborated   for a prayer-song Ek tu hi bharosa in  Boney Kapoor/Raj Santoshi’s  Pukar.It was a very special song. Because I sang it on screen myself.But I must admit Jiya jale was a very special song too. It became such a rage. And I’m asked to sing  that  song at every concert that I go to.”

She reminisces about    the  pleasure of singing for Rahman. “I think he was a little intimidated by me  when we did Jiya jale in Chennai.  But he allowed me to  do it my own way. And when I started humming an impromptu alaap at the end  of  the tune, he told me to just go on . He recorded that as well. Subsequently I recorded other songs with Rahman including O paalan hare in Lagaan and Door  kahin ek aam ki baghiya  in  Zubeida. My duet Lukachuppi  with Rahman  for Rakeysh Mehra’s Rang De Basanti became so popular. It’s rare nowadays  to get a  good song like Luka chuppi.”

Prasoon Joshi: “Artistes and humanbeings like Rahman are rare.All my work with Rahman is very special to me. Much as I enjoyed writing fun songs like Masti ki paathshala and Masakali I cherish exploring the spiritual side of my creativity in the songs Arziyaan and Zariya(the latter for Coke Studio). May God bless him with some of the happiness that he has given us through his music.”

Ayushmann Khurrana: “A R Rahman is a living legend.He has always been ahead of  our times. His melodies  have a phenomenal range. They’re always filled with surprises.He  carries in himself the sure signs of a master composer. My favourite movie soundtracks of A R Rahman are Dilli 6, Rangeela and Rockstar. I wish the most revered music director of our times  a happy birthday.”

Kavita Krishnamoorthy: “He’s a very talented and innovative music director. And a joy to work with. My favourite Rahman song is my own Tu hi re in Bombay.”