The Original AR

One of the major (rather only) major imports from India from the movie “Slumdog Millionaire” has been the song “Jai Ho” by the Mozart of Madras A R Rehman. However before we get carried away, a few terse points are to be made. Firstly, it is not A R Rehman’s best musical composition by any stretch of imagination. Good yes, but not the best. It is only the movie’s popularity that catapulted the song to international prominence. Secondly, the reason it is so popular among the international masses owes largely to the bastardization of the song by “PussyCat Dolls”.

It is interesting to note however that there was a time when Indian music was accorded international prominence and standing ovations. No I am not going back to the Jurassic Era but only as far back as the 60s. The other day I was watching the “Monterey Pop Festival” , the precursor of the legendary Woodstock music festival.

The word Pop is a misnomer if seen through the prism of today’s times but not so back then. Pop is the short for popular and back then the popular music was classic rock and roll. How I wish it was the pop music of this age!

For sheer quality of the line-up of artists assembled on stage over the course of this event, it will probably remain unmatched. The acts included Simon and Garfunkel, Johnny Rivers, Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, Otis Redding, The Byrds, The Grateful Dead and the small matter of The Who and The Jimi Hendrix Experience. As I said at the start anyone who has attended this live over the course of those three fateful days has probably attained musical nirvana.

This was in 1967, part of an era of chemical experimentation and long tresses of hair irrespective of gender. The videos of the audience all dazed and in a parallel universe of their own is especially amusing. The closing ceremony of this fantastic musical celebration was about to start. The music to conclude the show was definitely not “pop” per se. As the saner ones tried to gather belongings and the stoned reluctant to leave, the performance commenced. Eighteen minutes of sheer pleasure followed. It was superb guitar and drum playing except that the sound was divine and the instruments were different. Sitar and tabla combined to give an exhibition which only a privileged few back home had had the chance to witness,. Immediately droopy eyes were brushed and serene calm seemed to pervade the atmosphere.

It was the concert that catapulted Ravi Shankar to modern-day super-stardom. All the more appreciable considering that only tenets on classical music were attended to. But to me the highlight of the show was unquestionably tablist Alla Rakha Khan. If you look at the concert, on the link provided, there are times when Ravi Shankar is in open appreciation of his companion even midway through the routine. It was a triumph of Indian music – no remixes, no beats, pure unadulterated music. For a video of the same click here.

It is a pity that Alla Rakha Khan is but a mere footnote in many of our lives. To us of the modern era, the more enduring image has been that of his son, bashing the tabla and the “Wah Taj” that followed. For the tabla, like the drum is an instrument of accompaniment. It thrives with an accompanying instrument.

Now guess, when A.S. Dileep Kumar decided to turn to Islam what name did he choose? Why, Alla Rakha Rehman of course!