Soon after I got out of AR Rahman’s North Mumbai home (which also doubles up as his studio), I went online. To look up ‘Munbe Vaa, ’ a song in the Tamil movie, Sillunu Oru Kaadhal, for which Rahman had composed the music.
Now, I don’t understand a word of Tamil. And I can confidently say—without fear of contradiction from my wife—that I’m rarely ‘mushy.’ But the moment the song started to play, I was lost. Lost in words I didn’t understand, and—I hate to say it—falling in love with love all over again.
We had visited Rahman with a clear brief in mind. There’s a section in ForbesLife India , ‘The Pursuit of Happiness,’ where we talk to people who are perceptibly happy and ask them one central question: How do they achieve happiness? In earlier issues, as part of this series of dialogues, we’d spoken to people like the absolutely lovely Asha Bhosle, Bollywood’s original charmer Shammi Kapoor, and the redoubtable Leander Paes who’s known to play his tennis with his heart worn loud on his sleeve.
When my colleague Jarshad NK, who has known Rahman now for many years, asked him if he’d spend time with us, I was pleasantly surprised when he agreed; Rahman, to my mind, projected reticence, a deep regard for his privacy, so I’d pretty much taken it for granted he’d politely decline to let us into his head. I was wrong.
And he continued to confound my expectations. There was no name-dropping; he didn’t carry the gravitas of somebody who’s worked with some of the biggest names in the world; there wasn’t the sense of self-importance you’d expect in someone who has won practically every award in the business, including two Oscars and two Grammys.
On the contrary, he made me feel at ease—almost like I was with an old friend, with whom I could share a couple of boy jokes, laugh at a few silly unprintable things, and ponder the world and its machinations. I found myself doing fanboy stuff like telling him how crazy my dad is about his music and he smiled and asked me to thank him for listening to what he composes.
I don’t intend to delve here into our conversation on happiness—that’s covered in ForbesLife India’s Spring edition—but about something else that struck me during our chat.
“I’m never composing in the studio for too long—at best for 20 minutes, 30 on the outside. I don’t spend eight to nine hours on something. It fatigues me. It’s like beating a sick person. There’s this Big Bang moment. It either comes, or it doesn’t. It flows or it doesn’t. But when you sit and things are at ease… that’s when it happens.”
“Twenty minutes!” I spluttered. “That’s all?”
Like most people, I’ve grown up on the idea that geniuses stay up for hours on end, focussed on their goals to the exclusion of everything else. But here was this icon of brilliance telling me it wasn’t worth working for more than 20 minutes. He knows what he’s talking about. I mean, six years after Munbe Vaa first hit the charts and I heard it for the first time, I wanted to fall in love again—which is exactly what Rahman had intended (“…certain songs like ‘Munbe Vaa¸’ when I did it, I wanted it to be a cult song—a legendary piece of music…”).
As he went about articulating how he did it, my mind couldn’t help but veer around to a book that’s hit the shelves very recently, 18 Minutes, by Peter Bregman. Rahman and Bregman were talking the same language. An advisor and consultant to CEOs and leadership teams across the world, the sum and substance of Bregman’s hypothesis is this: By setting out to do what is most important in your life and creating a daily 18 minute ritual spread over an eight-hour working day, you learn to concentrate on things that really matter. I’m sure Rahman hasn’t read 18 Minutes. But his method is remarkably similar to what Bregman recommends as a way to achieve the levels of productivity that only the best in the world—at whatever discipline—manage to do. So what are those common lessons?
Lesson #1: Pause
The big lesson: The ability to pause for a few moments when everything around seems completely out of whack.
I asked him, “Don’t you get pissed off when critics pan your work or somebody you reckon doesn’t understand what you’ve done attempts to deconstruct your body of work?” His answer was prompt: “Never take a decision based on emotion. You need to look at the world in a detached way.
You can look at it either as a romantic film or a horror flick. I choose to look at it as a romantic one. When there’s a sea of negative comments, I put a filter around myself.” It’s a lesson, he said, that was reinforced when he had a chat with Sachin Tendulkar, who does much the same thing.
During the course of Bregman’s research on emotional responses, a neuroscientist at Columbia University told him that the brain has this part called the amygdala, which triggers emotional responses. When something unsettling happens, it provokes an immediate reaction. But pure, unadulterated emotions are not the source of your best decisions.
It’s a lesson Rahman learnt early on in life. “Problem is, people compromise. Until something is not there, people won’t know it is there. So you have to create that wanting.” But getting people to want something they don’t know about isn’t easy. It takes time and patience: “First, you cater to what people need. Once you’ve done that, you compose what you love and believe people will love as well. And you stand by it, even at the risk of being rejected.” And how do you do that? “You can only be what you are. You can only try to maximise what you are. Good-looking or bad-looking, this is my shape; it is there for people to see. There is a beautiful quote that says, ‘I can never change what or how I look. But I can change how the world looks at me.’”
(This story appears in the 30 March, 2012 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)
Missed the link. wat it from 3rd minute. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOI8_pPdm14#t=3m
on Jul 10, 2014This video at 3rd minute from Vairamuthu will prove that he is instant composer. This is for Jayanth\'s denial. Suddenly AR seems to change tunes in an instant. Every one in the cine field knows how ARR does work.
on Jul 10, 201420 minutes for \'composing\' = standard Ilaiyaraaja territory. ARR seems to be marketing himself as a spontaneous \'composer\' - anyone in the industry who\'s worked with him knows how long he takes for a song - close to a month - I have heard some directors moved away from ARR for this precise reason. I have to record this statement here for the readers - Ilaiyaraaaja composes the \'tune\' - the main melody of the song, instantly, as soon as the director tells him the song situation. and on the day of the recording, he writes the entire score for the song in 20 minutes, and gets it recorded by noon - and this will have 40 violins, guitars, various percussion instruments, chorus, male/female lead singers, shenai, veena and various other instruments. and in all of this, the melody will be almost always Raaga based, and the orchestration (score) will cover various hardcore western classical concepts like fugue, counterpoints. I like ARR\'s music, and personally don\'t care about his working style (late night voice sampling, using various computer software tools over a period of 3-4 weeks for a song) but felt obliged to correct this inaccuracy (that he \'composes\' in 20 mins)
on Dec 21, 2013Rahman sir has always been innovative and never fails to impress! Highly motivating n truly inspiring article. Thank you, Mr.Assisi. :)
on Dec 20, 2013Mr.Rehman is a true musician and composer...who likes to work hard ....he knows the musical instruments and how and where to use the correct one....
on Dec 19, 2013A.R rahman is our great Indian personality he loved by all congrts
on Nov 19, 2013world best music directer.
on Sep 19, 2013I ensure that I read and listen to ARR\'s interviews whenever i require a touch of inspiration and refreshment to my mind. This one is high amongst the list.
on Jul 9, 2013rahman sab aap best music directer
on Jun 24, 2013One of the best articles I read on this website. It speak so much about Mr. Rahman and its very well presented by Charles. Thanks for this article.
on Dec 27, 2012Absolutely fabulous story - very well written and so intuitive that now I would dare to think that I know Rahman\'s method behind the magic! Great piece - thanks!
on Dec 14, 2012Any link/info about the spring edition of forbeslife?
on May 14, 2012@ K. Singh, Hi, the spring edition should still be available at Landmark or Crossword branches. If you have difficulty getting it, you could get in touch with subscriptions team. Contact details at http://forbesindia.com/subscription/
on May 14, 2012Higher understanding can only happen with extreme concentration but only in a moment of time. All efforts of humans should be to find, how to have that concentration of heart and mind. Then 'Roja' like beautiful things will happen own its own.
on Apr 24, 2012Truely, inspirational and touching.
on Apr 8, 2012@Charles: Awesome. You are so lucky to have met him!
on Apr 8, 2012mind blowing
on Mar 31, 2012very superb and highly motivating.
on Mar 31, 2012Highly motivating and inspirational, Thanks for sharing
on Mar 30, 2012A wonderful article - it is amazing how the author connected two extremely different concepts - one from a corporate teacher and other from an entertainment maestro.
on Mar 30, 2012Great..it is highly motivating and inspirational..thank you !
on Mar 29, 2012rehaman sab ki baat bahut allag hai maasha allah
on Mar 29, 2012Thank You Forbes India for coming up with such a great piece of motivational stuff. The interview had such a calming effect on my senses . FANTASTIC ALLY INSPIRATIONAL.
on Mar 29, 2012What a great role model Rahman is!!!!
on Mar 29, 2012Indian music and musicians has been recognized, one of the reason being ARR who has been brought it to international arena!! Well done we are all proud of you!!!
on Mar 29, 2012great personality.........
on Mar 29, 2012Very inspiring article. Well written too Charles!
on Mar 29, 2012Great thoughts !!! thats why we call ARR a LEGEND
on Mar 29, 2012A correct approach to work in perfact manner
on Mar 29, 2012An inspiring article! Rahman has been a source of inspiration for countless Indian youth. In a country where it is a little difficult to find modern day ideals, Rahman remains someone who the youth can look up to. He puts his heart and mind into whatever he does and his work truly symbolises excellence.
on Mar 29, 2012Especially, “Assert your differences” is more inspiring.
on Mar 29, 2012I always wonder about Great person's quirks and the philosophy they follow in their life. its very unique to everyone and moreover very simple. one thing is realised from this article or lessons learned from this, we have to literally find our own intesive interest and work on that. Rehman did that and suceed in his life. Though he struggled for many fundamental needs during his childhood days, he never compromise or sacrifice his passion. In this article There are information related to last minute wishes before dying.. Lisenting A.R.Rehman music is one thing for me before i die.
on Mar 29, 2012he was my god not only due to his music bt also for his way of living and his humble nature ..rehman ..we loves u a lot...
on Mar 29, 2012nice post .... Ppl like ARR understnad what it takes to be successfull in thier choosen field and in thier life and most importnatly they act accordingly.
on Mar 29, 2012i didn't knew much about the music maestro sir RAHMAN,but everytime wen i listen to any of his composition..i felt the freshness,the uniqueness and music at a different but at n higher level....which takes the soul to a next world....i dnt know much abt music ...bt hav composed 8 songs...dnt know how bt..it just happened....only wish of my life ..would be a chance to get trained by the lord of music.....sir A.R.Rahman.
on Mar 29, 2012allah rakha rahman ur good according to me ur character means "gentle man" nthng to say
on Mar 28, 2012good one..refresed the mind
on Mar 28, 2012nice article
on Mar 28, 2012So wonderful article :) He is so inspiring Artist
on Mar 28, 2012Its really inspiring, ARR is the best ever musician
on Mar 28, 2012Lovely poawerful photo
on Mar 28, 2012Very Good Article, Nice
on Mar 28, 2012Thanks for sharing your encounter with ARR. Its very inspiring and thought-provoking. Ilaiyaraja made the Tamilians to listen to Tamil music and ARR made the world to listen to Tamil music. Great geniuses!!
on Mar 28, 2012Very Good Article ... Very Inspiring !!!
on Mar 28, 2012This is a super interview and an awesome article. Great lessons from a Superb musician and a Great human being ! Thanks a Lot for this. Cheers!!
on Mar 28, 2012Good article. Very inspiring and very original. It touched my heart and mind. It is a true inspiration. Thank you very much..Cheers...
on Mar 27, 2012Music has no language (Rahman himself had told many times). He has connected North and South India with his music, which was believed will never happen. He made South Indians to listen to Hindi music, and vice versa. Now he's making the world to listen to Indian music. Tremendous achievement, but still he remains humble. That's his greatest quality.
on Mar 27, 2012This is till date the best insight anyone has ever offered into the brilliant but reticent AR Rahman. The similarity of the genius' methods offered alongside Bregman's hypotheses are also outstanding..Topclass article!
on Mar 27, 2012It is a beautiful article becasue it expolorers the common threads between the artist and the technocrat The common quailty of every kind of genious.
on Mar 27, 2012A really interesting article! Author blends artistic traits with management mantras with such ease. Artist is AR Rahman and Management guru is an advisor to CEOs, Peter Bregman (author of 18 mins). For AR Rahman fans, it's a treat.
on Mar 27, 2012It was superb, One of my favourite hero. "Munbe vaa" song is an evergreen song. Thanks to the forbes, to wrote the article about our legendary...
on Mar 27, 2012Whenever I hear to a piece of news about him, my respect of him grows multi-fold than it was before reading/knowing about him. God Bless!
on Mar 27, 2012Thanks for the bloke who wrote this article, especially for the thought to dig out and see what makes A R Rahman such a genius and a unique personality all together. I have always wondered if I could find out all those list of things you've interpreted with mozart of madras. I've always wanted to work with such a personality. I enjoyed this article thoroughly, Thank you again. And from the other comment on this page, Even I cant wait to run through 18 minutes now! :) If ever the author finds out a sudden boost in this particular book sale.. that's gonna credit you! Good job mate..
on Mar 27, 2012A very good article on A R Rahman. Truly inspirational. I like his ideology of making it work in 20 mins and you have amazingly linked that to 18 minutes book. Can't wait to read it now.
on Mar 27, 2012Thank u for letteing us know more about him. we really get inspired reading about people like him. And as geetha said tnx for referring books like 18 minutes. good piece of work. keep doing.
on Mar 27, 2012a very refreshing article, easy to read and very heart warming. i love rehman ( who doesnt? ) and apart from the attitude rehman and tendulkar resemble each other on many issues - apart from being geniuses in their chosen field. we are indeed lucky to be living at this time, we can tell our kids we have met rehman and tendulkar and how they had touched and inspired us in their own ways ;-)
on Mar 27, 2012Thanks for the brilliant article Charles. This is one of the other reasons fans love the AR Rahman and his work. There's lot of things one can learn from Rahman's personality, his approach to life in general, discipline, humility. All of those somehow find their way into his music, along with a hint of naughtiness somewhere. Also thanks for linking this article with 18 minutes. Now I can't wait to read that book. Sounds very interesting. My fav quote from your article, which I'll take forward with me - ‘I can never change what or how I look. But I can change how the world looks at me.’
on Mar 27, 2012Great read...Thanks for sharing Jarshad! Cheers!
on Mar 26, 2012Dear Mr. Assisi, Thank you for spreading happiness by connecting the dots beautifully between the book '18 Minutes' and A R Rehman's life lessons. And am sure glad that you really liked the song 'Munbe vaa' despite not understanding a word of it! That's the power of great music for you! Like another famous song from the movie, Mozhi (language) says: as human beings we have absolutely no need for any language if only we open ourselves to the beauty in the language of nature and the heart. And to paraphrase a famous quote, the heart does understand music which reason knows nothing of. Thank you also for telling us about the book, Wilfull Blindness. I am savouring it. Regards, Geetha
on Mar 26, 2012Thank you for your kind words Geetha :-)
on Mar 26, 2012