Padma Bhushan means more to me than Oscar and Grammy : AR Rahman
Friday, 5 February 2010
After the Oscars and the Padma Bhushan, it's Grammy time for AR Rahman. On Sunday night, his music for Slumdog Millionaire won two Grammy awards, setting Rahman's global score even higher in 2010 than it was last year.
Reacting to the double Grammy whammy, Rahman said, "I never even dreamt about winning all these awards. I once again want to thank the Almighty, my spiritual Sufi teachers Ameen Peerullah Malik Sahib, Danny Boyle and the whole Slumdog creative team."
After the Grammy, Rahman also had a special word of thanks for his mentor Mani Ratnam and his mentors in Mumbai, Shekhar Kapur and Subhash Ghai and mentor in the West, Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Back home, Rahman is happy to have received the Padma Bhushan. But unhappy about the fact that a lot of the deserving artistes remain unrecognised by the government. "There're so many deserving candidates for National Awards, still unsung. On the other hand, I believe people with dubious records get recognised. That isn't fair. Personally speaking I'm very happy to get the Padma Bhushan. Ever since the announcement my phone hasn't stopped ringing. I think I've received more congratulations for the Padma than for the Oscars."
Rahman says he's prouder of the Padma Bhushan than the Oscar. "It definitely means more when you're recognised by your own people and country. I definitely value this award more than the Oscar or Grammy," said Rahman before flying out to Los Angeles for the Grammys. "My award comes in a category that won't be televised. So it won't be like Slumdog Millionaire where people back home could watch me."
Reacting to the double Grammy whammy, Rahman said, "I never even dreamt about winning all these awards. I once again want to thank the Almighty, my spiritual Sufi teachers Ameen Peerullah Malik Sahib, Danny Boyle and the whole Slumdog creative team."
After the Grammy, Rahman also had a special word of thanks for his mentor Mani Ratnam and his mentors in Mumbai, Shekhar Kapur and Subhash Ghai and mentor in the West, Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Back home, Rahman is happy to have received the Padma Bhushan. But unhappy about the fact that a lot of the deserving artistes remain unrecognised by the government. "There're so many deserving candidates for National Awards, still unsung. On the other hand, I believe people with dubious records get recognised. That isn't fair. Personally speaking I'm very happy to get the Padma Bhushan. Ever since the announcement my phone hasn't stopped ringing. I think I've received more congratulations for the Padma than for the Oscars."
Rahman says he's prouder of the Padma Bhushan than the Oscar. "It definitely means more when you're recognised by your own people and country. I definitely value this award more than the Oscar or Grammy," said Rahman before flying out to Los Angeles for the Grammys. "My award comes in a category that won't be televised. So it won't be like Slumdog Millionaire where people back home could watch me."