A R Rahman to rock London Olympics with Punjabi track

MUMBAI: According to Indian media reports, the Oscar winner composer, AR Rehman is collaborating with director Danny Boyle for the special number to be play out at the London Olympics.

Yes, the music wizard has composed a special Punjabi number that will be showcased at the opening ceremony of the grand sporting event. What's more, he'll be collaborating with none other than Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle for this segment of the show. Rahman tweeted, "It's a track in Punjabi, celebrating the Indian influence in the UK. It's a part of a medley in the Olympics opening ceremony, according to Danny Boyle's creative wishes!"

When contacted, Rahman's official spokesperson stated, "Yes, he has composed a number for the Olympics. But his is one of the songs and not the only song." It is heard that the Oscar winner is ensuring that the song is grand in terms of musical content, given the global reach of the Olympics.

Filmmaker Danny Boyle, who has worked with the Chennai composer on 127 Hours as well, is said to have planned a three-hour musical show that will feature various genres of music. He's taking active interest in putting together a big show for worldwide audiences, say sources.

Interestingly, it's also learnt that one of maestro Ilaiyaraaja's songs too reportedly features in the list for the opening ceremony of the upcoming London Olympics. The selected song is Naandhaan Ungappanda... from the 1981 film Ram Lakshman, starring Kamal Haasan and Sripriya.

Rahman's 'Sajna' in Michael Bolton' album

Oscar winning Indian composer A.R. Rahman's song "Sajna" from "Couples Retreat" features in a new avatar in Grammy award winning Michael Bolton's latest album "Gems - The Duets Collection".

"When I first met Michael, we got to talking about music, philosophy, the universe, and many things that we had in common. I wanted Michael to do a bit of singing that he's never done before, without compromising on his musicality," Rahman said in a press statement.

The album also includes musical collaborations with Grammy award winning American band Rascal Flatts, international pop star Seal, Australian singing sensation Delta Goodrem, famed late vocalist Eva Cassidy and Rahman.

"It was an incredibly rewarding experience recording this album. The opportunity
to work with legendary talent like David Foster, Dan Huff, A.R. Rahman and some of the absolute greatest singers and recording artists in the entire world was inspiring. I can't wait to share the special music we all created with the world," said Bolton.

The album, to be released on Sony Music, is Bolton's 21st, and will be in stores starting June 21.

A.R. Rahman launches his biography

Music maestro A.R. Rahman got a little nostalgic remembering his old days, during the launch of his biography "A.R. Rahman: The Spirit of Music" in Mumbai Wednesday night.

The book has been penned by renowned writer Nasreen Munni Kabir.
The launch was also attended by Rahman's family, including his wife, sister and mother and filmmakers like Mani Ratnam, Ram Gopal Varma, Subhash Ghai, Ashutosh Gowarikar and Imtiaz Ali.

"I want to thank Munni for having the patience to sit with me and do this and to have an intension to do this," Rahman said.

"While working on this book with Munni, I relived many old memories. But the one moment that I relived and can never forget was when I had no money to buy any equipment. I needed four lakh rupees and I didn't have that money. So my mother immediately sold off my sister's jewellery and gave me the money," he said.

The book will provide a fascinating window into the world of the "Mozart of Madras", who became the first Indian composer to win two Academy Awards for the 2008 blockbuster "Slumdog Millionaire".

Talking about her experience of writing the book, Kabir said: "The idea of writing this film was actually trying and finding a way of creating a conversational biography that would record a person's thinking, a sweep of one's life upto now and some understanding of his craft and his personality."

She thanked Rahman for giving her the opportunity to write the book.

The book took approximately eight years to finish, and Kabir said she witnessed no major changes in Rahman in all these years, even though his popularity rose manifold during the course of this period.

"The interaction with Rahman took place in many countries, spread over many years. He has changed a little bit. The core person is the same but the life is different. There are lot more pressures, tremendous success but he wears his success lightly, which means that he is still very humble about it and the people he respected and regarded then are the same people, he respects and regards even now," the author said.

Bollywood wishes Rahman luck for Oscars

Music maestro A.R. Rahman has bagged two nominations at the 83rd Academy Awards for his work in Danny Boyle's "127 Hours" and the film frat is hoping that the composer triumphs again at the gala event Sunday.

His colleagues and friends wish him luck and are hoping he brings the golden statuette home again, having bagged two Oscars for the best original score and the song in 2009 for rags-to-riches drama "Slumdog Millionaire". This time, Rahman has been nominated for the original score of "127 Hours" as well as original song "If I Rise".

"I feel great. I feel wonderful because Rahman is one person who has made us so proud and I am really, really happy. I wish him all the best," said Rani Mukerji.

Actor-producer Arbaaz Khan said: "That's a great achievement. The last time when he won the Oscar, it looked like one time dream. I wish him all the best. He is a true deserving candidate and pride of the country."

"He had to get the nominations. He has already has two to his credit. He will continue getting them. He has already made India proud and would continue doing so. My best wishes are always with him," said singer Udit Narayan.

Singer Kailash Kher said: "I congratulate him and wish him all the best. Every year he should achieve more honours."

"The whole country is proud of him. He is good, he is talented and I hope he delivers time and again. I am very happy. I wish him all the best," actor Arshad Warsi said.

Composer Pritam Chakraborty said: "I wish him luck. Anything you say about him is less. If you name a few pride of our country, he is one of them. I wish him all the best."

"It's something to be proud of that an Indian has made a golden mark on the world map," director Vishal Bhardwaj said.

A.R. Rahman to perform at Oscars again

Indian composer A.R. Rahman, who has been second time lucky in getting two nominations at the Oscars, will be performing at the prestigious award ceremony in Los Angeles yet again.

The 45-year-old, who has been nominated in two categories - original score and original song - for his work in Danny Boyle's "127 Hours", will team up with British pop singer Florence Welch to perform "If I Rise" from the movie.

The performance is being staged for the best song nominees, and other competitors will be performing too, reports contactmusic.com.

Rahman performed at the Oscars in 2009, when he was nominated for the same categories for "Slumdog Millionaire". He mesmerised the international audience with his song "Jai ho", and even took home two golden statuettes.

This year Mandy Moore and Gwyneth Paltrow will be performing as well.

Moore will team up with actor-director Zachary Levi and composer Alan Menken to perform for the best song nominee "I See the Light" from their animated film "Tangled", while Paltrow will sing "Coming Home from "Country Strong", and Randy Newman will sing his "Toy Story 3" tune "We Belong Together".

The Academy Awards 2011 are scheduled for Feb 27.

AR Rahman nominated for Oscars

MUMBAI: AR Rahman has bagged two nominations for Oscars once again. This time it is again Danny Boyle's film that has brought to him the nominations for the 83rd Academy Awards.

Earlier he had bagged three nominations and won two Oscars in the 81st Academy Awards for Danny Boyle's film Slumdog Millionaire.

Buzz up!The Music Maestro Rahman has been nominated in the Best Original Song for the song ' If I Rise' and the Best Original Score from the film 127 Hours.

We congratulate AR Rahman on his success and hope that he will win the show too.

AR Rahman nominated for Golden Globe

AR Rahman has received a Golden Globe nomination for his score to Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours.

The 44-year-old composer won a Golden Globe and went on to win two Academy Awards in 2009 for his work on Boyle’sSlumdog Millionaire.

The film picked up two further Golden Globe nominations, for James Franco in the Best Actor category and for Best Screenplay.

127 Hours follows the real-life story of climber Aron Ralston, played by Franco, who became trapped under a boulder in Utah and had to go extreme lengths to survive.

This year Rahman has also scored several Bollywood hits including Jhootha Hi Sahi and Endhiran.

AR Rahman latest act for Nobel concert

Oscar winning composer AR Rahman has been confirmed to perform at the annual Nobel Peace Prize Concert.

Rahman, who picked up two Academy Awards for his work on Slumdog Millionaire, joins Barry Manilow and Jamiroquai in the line-up of artists to perform at the concert.

The concert on December 11 will pay tribute to this year’s Nobel Peace Prize laureate, human rights activist Liu Xiaobo, who is currently incarcerated as a political prisoner in China.

The concert will be held at the Oslo Spektrum arena in Norway and be hosted by Denzel Washington. His co-host is yet to be announced.

Last year’s concert, which paid tribute to 2009 laureate Barack Obama, was hosted by Will Smith and wife Jada Pinkett Smith.