Composers From India

"We didn’t know what kind of music we’d make, we didn’t know if it would be any good, but we hoped we’d have fun. He brings so much musical knowledge, amazing musicianship, melody and singing power from a different culture."

"As A R Rahman and Resul Pookutty scripted history by picking up three Oscars for "Slumdog Millionaire."

"What a film and what a team to work with. The spirit of the film is reflected in its team. [Rahman] with "changing the entire face of Indian film music."

"May he win such an award every year. He is a genius. Rahman's music is a blend of a little South Indian music and what we commonly call Hindi film music."

"Rahman is a genius and has made the world sit up and take notice of Indian talent with his success. He has put the Indian film industry on the world map.""

"Wont you draw back the curtain within me, O Lord Venkataramana of Tirupati, Open up this screen of envy."

"Known as the Bethovan of India he occupies a place in South Indian Music in some respects comparable to that of Western Europe, Not only did he compose music that established enduring repertoire and remains at its center. But he also defined a new kind of cultural consciousness. Even today, Tyagaraja’s songs are thought to represent the best of South India’s cultural heritage."

"Whenever I go to south India, I hear the songs of Saint Thyagaraja."

"Proverbially, Thyagaraja’s songs are said to be like grapes that is immediately enjoyable"

"Tyagaraja is my Bible; I quote Tyagaraja all the time — as with Shakespeare there is something for any occasion."

"It is as a pioneer who has enlarged the possibilities of the art [of Karnataka Music] that Tygayyar is entitled to our fullest admiration...and he is one of the greatest singers of all times whose influence is closely woven into national thought and action. Tirumalya Naidu in his book of Tyagaraja written in 1910."

"The greatest songster-saint that the world has ever produced...He was full of love and devotion to the lord and he had direct ;;w:Darshan|darsana]] [Vision] of the Lord and had also Cosmic Consciousness."

"With...passionate devotion to the ideals of beauty, harmony, freedom, and aspiration… had the strongest impact on society."

"If Thyagaraja only once with prema called ‘Rama’ forthwith came the response from Sri Rama. O!Thyagaraja, here I am."

"It is impossible to name another person in this world who can be said to be equal to Tyagaraja in Rama Bhakthi."

"What is the use of sangita (music without bhakti)."

"Should swim along, staying and conquering In this complex ocean of life with desire not attaching. Lovingly in this birth, like a lotus leaf on a drop of rain Singing Rama’s name, those who want to win and gain. Like the cashew nut on its fruit, just touching the life path Not keeping any desire, those devoted to the brave Srinath. Like a fish that grabs the bait meat and gets hooked sadly Not getting cheated, thinking of Purandara Vittala, the Lord only."

"Dull headed I am, you are the very progenitor of cupid Forgiving my countless sins please save me... I am the sinner and you remove the sins on me Anger, vanity, arrogance I am filled with these Make me fearless removing my worries False shadowy forms engross me You are the redeemer to those who seek refuge Worst criminal I am you remove hurdle rocks that huge Bewildered I am you save me as you foresee Charlatan I am and you are without vanity Unlucky I am you are lord of wealth divine Can I comprehend past or future of mine? Oh Purandara Vittala Raya my father Perpetually you save me without bother."

"Rama, Rama, Rama chant, this grand Lord’s name do not forget in mind With nine orifices this jam-packed city Five kings ruling there with all majesty They guard this body with all the vanity Do not get spoiled believing this mendacity. This insecure body, just a bony cage Tightly wrapped with a cover of skin Full of sewage, slush, and germs within Do not rely on this sewn up cartilage Respected by the recurring Brahmas and celestials Take Hari’s name with His supreme credentials Pray the feet of Purandara Vittala And get rid of the fear of the evils all."

"Most work for their belly, for cloth of cubit dimension Some worship Lakshmi’s spouse for salvation Lifting palanquins Is for their belly Fighting powerful wrestlers is for the belly Telling lies is for the belly Thinking of Lord is for salvation Concocting politics is for the belly Riding elephant or horse is for the belly Hurting other people is for belly To pray Lord is for emancipation Lifting heavy rocks is for the belly Yelling loud is for the belly Pray Purandara Vittala is for salvation With pre-planned contemplation."

"Rama Rama Rama Rama Sita Rama you chant Do with devotion, and get the release you want... As those Yama hordes arrive, to bid you to come Spirit tries to escape the throat, Hari’s name will not come Body systems cease working and our relative are bemoaning Name of the Ocean-daughter’s lord will it come to your asking? When your breath is blocked by phlegm in your throat Vasudev Krishna’s name will be of no use then to shout When you beautiful body breaks down and falls apart As your eyes get blurred and dead, Ranga’s name will not depart When your body juices mix up and collect down below As the elements disintegrate, uttering God’s name will it allow. Having born as a wicked and done many a cruel deed As soul departs, Puranadara Vittala’s name will not proceed."

"My sons’ birthday; we have a grand feeding Another sons thread ceremony is proceeding Life is busy you know if you ever say The death god will be laughing behind you, I say Not eaten dinner, have not seen the favourite show Some debtors are waiting to get my loan, No way Once your purpose is over, no time is wasted away Think meanwhile of Purandara Vittala with a bow."

"This is bliss, This is bliss, This is bliss, I proclaim The real happiness lies in the chant of Lord’s name. One should be on the banks of river of life firm like rocks along, One should be a powerful bow in the midst of the strong. One should softly adore Lord’s greatness in heart within, Be like a lump of sugar to his kith and kin One should keep correcting wisely his body and mind. And pay respects to the great and sages kind. One should be like fish in the Madhva philosophy ocean, And be pure in his practice of the Triple Expression”. One should ever be alert to grasp knowledge that abound, And think of Lord (Sri Hari) night and day around. One should pay respects to the servants of the Lord, Purnadar Vittala the God of this world."

"To me, Satyajit Ray is just Manikda. Our relationship dates back to 1958, when he introduced me to the silver screen. I was just 13."

"He always played the role of a story-teller — something that can be considered his most important contribution to the world of film making."

"He never treated his child artistes like kids. That's why they were always comfortable in front of the camera. Manikda became their friend after a few days of shooting"

"But after having worked with Manikda, working in Bombay was confusing. I was too normal and realistic in front of the camera — the way Manikda had always taught me. But the Bombay directors wanted more energetic and louder acting. But today, most actors act that way."

"Manikda was always different from the others. He did everything — from writing the script to choosing the location, finalizing the cast to designing sets and costumes, supervising make-up to framing the shots to editing. He was involved with each and every part of his film and was always very clear about what he wanted. His films were Indian but the production process was western. He also proved that silence can say a million words if used properly and was very economical with dialogues. He used barking of dogs, birdcalls, mechanical clatter or other natural sounds to brilliant effect. It was because of this detailing that every scene of his films became powerful and meaningful. And though he played so many roles behind the scenes, he accepted remuneration from the producer only for direction."

"In the late 60s, there was a big probability of Satyajit Ray coming down to Hollywood to shoot The Alien based on his own short story which appeared in the then popular Bengali magazine, Sandesh. The film was to be produced by 20th Century Fox and Hollywood was waiting to embrace Ray with open arms. Alas! Due to some dirty politics played by unknown quarters, Ray's Hollywood dream had to be shelved. I have no qualms in admitting that Spielberg's E.T. was influenced by Ray's Alien. Even Sir Richard Attenborough pointed this out to me."

"Oh, Mr. Ray is coming … the great film maker from India; you know, I am his fan and love his films; maybe I will be lucky to get to see him today; just start your car and follow me."

"The Ray Gopi Gayan classic was known as much as a children's film, noted for Gupi, a singer, and Bagha, a drummer, as a social film which was a comment on poor governance, corruption at high places and lapses in administration in contemporary society."

"Sometimes even Satyajit Ray was criticized for portraying only the poverty of Bengal. That poverty is not the whole story of India, just a part."

"Ray was a terrific director! He was versatile in choosing the subjects of his film. And his films were very sophisticated, very clean. I got some idea about India from his films."

"...Indian cinema does not stand for just Bollywood. Kolkata is the place of Satyajit Ray..."

"Last, but not least -- in fact, this is most important -- you need a happy ending. However, if you can create tragic situations and jerk a few tears before the happy ending, it will work much better."

"I never imagined that any of my films, especially Pather Panchali, would be seen throughout this country or in other countries. The fact that they have is an indication that, if you're able to portray universal feelings, universal relations, emotions, and characters, you can cross certain barriers and reach out to others, even non-Bengalis."

"If the theme is simple, you can include a hundred details that create the illusion of actuality better."

"Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy have been great inspiration for us."

"Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy are doing some nice songs."

"I could not take up Dil Chahta Hai. Also, Bunty Aur Babli. But I am glad that Shankar Ehsaan and Loy were able to shine in these films. I love their work in these films."

"Shankar Mahadevan: Classical music is a great advantage you have. Be it during composing or arranging, classical music is like grammar."

"Shankar Mahadevan: There is a very thick line between being repetitive and having your own sound. You can always re-invent yourself - think about the sounds you are using. I don't see any reason why you have to be repetitive if you have enough knowledge, enough exposure."

"Ehsaan Noorani: (on R.D. Burman) He thought light years ahead of everyone else. He was very global in what he did. Even with limited technology and media coverage, RD did exemplary work."

"Loy Mendonsa: I'm often asked how we function within a trio. I tell them you must try sitting on a two-legged chair."

"Shankar Mahadevan: We come from different musical backgrounds. It's our USP too. We work more like a band rather than just composers. All our compositions come out during jam sessions. I am sure we will never spilt because we understand and respect each other's creativity."

"Loy Mendonsa: Technology has changed a lot and has made copying easier. People are not morally hassled by it any more. Morality has changed."

"Loy Mendonsa: Ehsaan gets very upset if it sounds remotely like anything else. Then he'll get sleepless nights. Then next morning we'll see him with dark circles"

"I am a huge fan of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy ever since I 'discovered' their music in Dil Chahta Hai. Ever since, every track of theirs was a masterpiece for me, be it Salaam-E-Ishq, Kal Ho Na Ho, Lakshya."

"Life’s been quite a journey. My career has been slow, yet steady. I like it that way. I never wished for overnight success. Neither did I want to rush through my career and suffer a burn-out."

"I see every director as a different brand. That way, it’s easy for me to compartmentalise my work. So I can easily switch from one film to the other and refresh myself when I hit a mental block. I don’t want my music to sound like a pastiche of other works. So I stop listening to my songs once the audio for a film is released. When I unwind, it’s usually with jazz."