KOCHI: Back in the seventies, a shy little boy used to sit away, watching M K Arjunan, the veteran composer blending notes on a harmonium. Once Arjunan Master is through with the composition and left the studio, the lad would run up to the harmonium trying to play the notes he had just memorised.
There began the celebrated career of A R Rahman, the biggest name in Indian music today and the first Indian to win the coveted Golden Globe Award.
Arjunan Master, the veteran music composer who nourished Rahman’s musical genius during his early years could barely hide his teary glee as he heard about his disciple’s stunning achievement.
“His method of creating music is different,” says Arjunan Master. “There is always a special blend of instruments.
I don’t know how he evolved that particular style by using contemporary instruments.
But, the best part is that it worked,” he says.
Even from his early years, Rahman was addicted to music, remembers Master. “Unlike other kids of his age, he was least interested in fun and frolic. He practised piano at home and even kept studies at back burner for music. He was happy to spend sleepless nights with his keyboard and harmonium. He just ate and slept music,” he says.
It was after the death of R K Sekhar, Rahman’s father and Master’s co-composer, he noticed the promise in the boy. “I took him with me for the A B Raj film ‘ Adimachangala ’. I asked him to play keyboard and he did that without any delicacy. He was merely 13 or 14 that time,” Master remembers the first time he took Rahman to a studio.
Arjunan Master still remembers Rahman’s mother complaining about her son’s insomniac musical nights.
“She said even at two in the night his room was filled with the sound of instruments and the boy was not even eating regularly. I told her that her son was gifted and she should let him play whenever he wants,” he says. Later, a room was built for him to compose and now that room has grown into a sophisticated studio.
“At first he did some jingles and played with veteran composers like Ilayaraja until Roja made him a household name overnight,” said Master.
And how does the master composer feel at the success of someone who started off his career with him? “I always felt he was gifted and like all mentors, I am happy to see him scaling new heights. It was all his talent and I simply guided him at a time when he needed attention.
I earnestly hope it’s just the beginning of his international recognition. More and more awards are waiting for him,” he said.