Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman has responded to singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya’s recent allegations that he is responsible for the decline of live instrumentation and the rise of technology-driven music in India. In an interview with India Today, Rahman addressed the criticism with grace, while also offering insight into his continued support for live musicians.
AR Rahman responds with grace
In a recent interview with ANI, Abhijeet had slammed Rahman, accusing him of sidelining traditional musicians and relying excessively on laptops and digital tools. “Artists who play music are left jobless,” Abhijeet claimed, adding that Rahman's style has led to the neglect of instrumentalists across the industry.
Rahman, however, calmly countered the accusations in an interview with India Today, saying, “It's nice to blame me for everything. I still love Abhijeet, and I would send cakes to him. Also, it's his opinion, and there's nothing wrong with having one.”
Computers are just tools, says Rahman
He elaborated on his efforts to continue supporting live music. “I recently set up an orchestra with 60 women in Dubai. They are being employed every month and are being paid insurance, health, and everything,” Rahman said. “In every movie that I do, be it Chhaava or Ponniyin Selvan, there are close to 200–300 musicians involved, and some songs have more than 100 people working on them. I don't show off or post photos with them, and thus no one gets to know about it.”
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The composer also clarified the role of technology in music-making. “Computers are used as a tool to design extraordinary harmonies, but I can't afford to get musicians to play and reject them later,” he said. “The producers I work with can vouch for how many musicians are involved in the process.”
Rahman’s recent works include the Hindi film Chhaava starring Vicky Kaushal, and the Tamil romantic drama Kadhalikka Neramillai. He is also set to compose for Aamir Khan’s production Lahore 1947, Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life, Aanand L Rai’s Tere Ishq Mein, and will collaborate with global icon Hans Zimmer for Nitesh Tiwari’s epic Ramayan.
AR Rahman responds with grace
In a recent interview with ANI, Abhijeet had slammed Rahman, accusing him of sidelining traditional musicians and relying excessively on laptops and digital tools. “Artists who play music are left jobless,” Abhijeet claimed, adding that Rahman's style has led to the neglect of instrumentalists across the industry.
Rahman, however, calmly countered the accusations in an interview with India Today, saying, “It's nice to blame me for everything. I still love Abhijeet, and I would send cakes to him. Also, it's his opinion, and there's nothing wrong with having one.”
Computers are just tools, says Rahman
He elaborated on his efforts to continue supporting live music. “I recently set up an orchestra with 60 women in Dubai. They are being employed every month and are being paid insurance, health, and everything,” Rahman said. “In every movie that I do, be it Chhaava or Ponniyin Selvan, there are close to 200–300 musicians involved, and some songs have more than 100 people working on them. I don't show off or post photos with them, and thus no one gets to know about it.”
Video
The composer also clarified the role of technology in music-making. “Computers are used as a tool to design extraordinary harmonies, but I can't afford to get musicians to play and reject them later,” he said. “The producers I work with can vouch for how many musicians are involved in the process.”
Rahman’s recent works include the Hindi film Chhaava starring Vicky Kaushal, and the Tamil romantic drama Kadhalikka Neramillai. He is also set to compose for Aamir Khan’s production Lahore 1947, Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life, Aanand L Rai’s Tere Ishq Mein, and will collaborate with global icon Hans Zimmer for Nitesh Tiwari’s epic Ramayan.
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