On the 48th birthday of Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman, join us for a Live Chat with singer Tanvi Shah, who has sung many songs for the Mozart of Madras. From 'Fanaa' to 'Jai Ho' Tanvi has crooned to many tunes composed by A. R. Rahman.
The Hindu: Welcome to the live chat with singer Tanvi Shah who has crooned many songs for Oscar-winning music director A. R. Rahman
4:49 Comment From amjath
Hi Tanvi firstly HBD to ARR...
4:50 The Hindu: The Hindu's Principal Correspondent Archana Subramanium joins us for the live chat session
4:50 Comment From Divya
If asked, how will you describe ARR in one line?
4:51 Comment From Guest
Hi Tanvi, first of all a very happy bday to the legend
4:51 Tanvi Shah: Hello everyone!
4:53 Archana: Hey Tanvi..welcome to the
chat. It's Rahman's birthday and there's no better person who could talk about him than you. So lets start from the very beginning...What has itbeen like to be discovered by him?
4:53 Tanvi Shah: Hi Divya... in one line ... I think it would be he is a a true GENIUS!
4:55 Tanvi Shah: Hi Archana... Thank you for letting me be part of this... For a person who had no plans of ever getting into the industry who was totally focused on design …… I HAVE TO SAY.. it was pretty shocking to be discovered by such a great person..... but what a lovely shock :)
4:55 Comment From Srinivas
What do you think determines ARR's choice of singer?
4:57 Archana: So for someone who had no plans to take up singing as her career, how did it all start?
4:57 Tanvi Shah: Hi Srinivas, It it difficult to answer that question... as only he would be able to give you the answer, but in general , i think he loves to experiment and try different genres... so i guess that is how he picks them ?
4:59 Tanvi Shah: Back to Archana....well i got a call around 245 am in 2003... and he asked for me to come into the studio, though i really thought it was a prank..but then since it was such a big name , i thought to myself, well, what would i lose? at the most i would not be allowed in the studio , and some how i just mustered the courage to go to the studio .....and the rest , as they say is history :)
5:00 Archana: He's been the music director for so many movies, which one is your personal favourite and why?
5:01 Tanvi Shah: Hello UBS! :) yes we do feel the pressure, but its the good kind of tension, because it really makes you put in all the energy into the work and performance... at the same time ... he makes you feel super comfortable and calm.
5:01 Comment From Udaibhan Singh
Do you feel the pressure when you work under him or does he have the aura which makes you comfortable?
5:03 Tanvi Shah: Hi ashith and kavita.... i will never forget the first time i met ARR sir. That meeting is what changed my life and thats why i am where i am today :) Just feel super blessed. And though I was very very nervous, he has a way to calm you down .
5:04 The Hindu: Also Read: Artistes wish ARR on his 48th birthday https://www.thehindu.com/ent...
5:05 Tanvi Shah: Archana :now that is tough question.. as there are so many favourites. i really totally and completely loved Delhi 6.. the whole album, . to see him actually create a song from scratch is , in my opinion, one of the best experiences. i think he goes into a zone and the best part about him is that - and i have always said this - he is so open to trying anything , so he takes our input too and then after the whole recording.... he works his magic..
5:06 Comment From Vignesh Mohan
How would you feel after you listen to your song after ARR completes his mixing ? People say he creates magic with his mixing .
5:09 Tanvi Shah: Hi Vignesh... I usually have butterflies and goose bumps... actually its quite a happy feeling when you finally hear the mix as all the hours and hours of hard work is finally put together... and you are right .. he does create magic. :)
5:09 Archana: Wow Tanvi that must be quite an enriching experience. A lot of his fans are dying to know how AR Rahman is like when he is not a music director?
5:12 Tanvi Shah: :) i would not want to say that he's a normal person :))
He's very down to earth and just like the rest of us ( in his words, if I may say ).. very simple and warm hearted... loves photography and technology !
5:13 Comment From Srinivas
Many people say that you have to keep listening to ARR songs for you to like them. Is there any song in recent times (in 2014) that you liked immediately after hearing?
5:15 Tanvi Shah: I liked the Highway song - Patakha guddi by the Nooran Sisters
5:15 Archana: What are the qualities that Rahman has that you would like to imbibe, given that he is an international phenomenon besides his simplicity and warm nature.
5:17 Tanvi Shah: Ah...he has so many qualities, it would be difficult to actually count , and that I think is the reason why he's called the maestro.. right? But all I can say is that the four qualities i like are : Dedication ,Discipline, Diligence and Patience.
5:18 Comment From amjath
Rahman looks cool and calm as you are from inside i would like to know Has he ever lost temper on any of the singers?
5:20 Tanvi Shah: Hi Amjath, He is calm and cool , but when a mistake is made he will correct us. He is a human being after all and everyone has their good days and bad days. But most of the time he is calm.
5:20 Archana: Among so many singers available today why do you think he picked Tanvi Shah?
5:21 Tanvi Shah: Archana: :) I have no clue... Maybe I am just blessed :))
5:21 Comment From Arun Krishnamurthy
Hey Tanvi .. How do you feel about working for Slumdog Millionaire .. Those big stages of Oscars, sharing Grammy with Rahman sir.
5:21 Tanvi Shah: Maybe " I am different " :)
5:23 Tanvi Shah: Hi Arun ... Slumdog Millionaire was certainly a blessing... while working on the music I had no clue it was for this movie. We usually just go in to the studio and sing without asking too many questions... You are just right there in the moment and totally focused on the song.
I just feel lucky that i was able to be a part of this wonderful team.. :)
5:24 Archana: Rahman uses numerous voices for a single track sometimes. Has it ever bothered you that you may not be able to showcase your talent as an individual?
5:25 Tanvi Shah: Actually never.... I think at the end of the day he is the director, its his music and his call. He obviously has an idea in his head about how he wants the song to sound. Am just glad I am singing and contributing. i have always said this.. At the end of the day I am only going to learn something and get out of the studio....
5:25 Comment From Ashith
Whats your advice to the budding singers who dream to work with ARR
5:27 Tanvi Shah: My advice...Just give it your best shot and always work hard.. you never know when you will get that phone call :)
5:28 Archana: We have read in many of your interviews where you have said that Rahman is like an encyclopedia of music...Tell us more.
5:32 Tanvi Shah: Oh that he totally is...he listens to so many genres that even you ahve to be up to date :D
Well,so every time I get a call.. the first thing which happens is nervousness.... but that of the good kind.. and there is there is this voice in your head which starts talking to you.. saying....ok what is he going to throw at me today.. or what will he make me sing today...What language would he want me to sing in .....??
I have had times when he has called me to the studio and said “ oh just think out of the box" or "think like beyonce and sing like shakira" and you go completely numb or clueless .. but I think he also, at times wants to test us – if I can put it that way .. like he wants to see what we have up our sleeve kind of thing ..
5:32 Comment From Debo
He comes across as a reserved person, so is he in real life very shy and reserved or he is funny ?
5:33 Tanvi Shah: Hi Debo .... Yes he is reserved and shy but if you get to know him he talks and is also funny :)
5:33 Archana: Ok, now that you have said that he's practically the best, you believe he brings out the best in you...why do you say so?
5:35 Tanvi Shah: See.....he knows how to get work out of the singers and how to push us , and in my head I am thinking about the music director that he is, and I tell myself, "oh my god you lucky blessed soul, he has chosen you to do the singing,, dont let him down :D
5:35 Comment From Arun Krishnamurthy
You have worked with a few Music Directors now, in what way is Rahman Sir different, leaving aside the individuality each of the music directors possess.
5:36 Tanvi Shah: He is A R RAHMAN... Need I say more :)
5:36 Archana: Ok my most awaited question...
On his birthday what's the best gift you could give him?
5:38 Tanvi Shah: See that is the thing, you never know what to give him.. but yes from the bottom of my heart I wish him a Very Happy Birthday Sir!! And all the luck in the world, more success and may god bless him tons and tons to the power of infinity! :)
5:38 Comment From Atheef
Hi Tanvi it's great pleasure to have u here. Apart from being a music director, how do u see him as a human being, he is so simple and humbled what is his magic??? Can u tell us about ur sessions working with him. Mona Gasolina was rocking.. wish u all de very best and do more songs with the maestro
