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RAJ CHENGAPPA
A Whole New World
Watching a TV re-run of Alladin, the
animated movie, with my nine-year-old
son recently was revealing. We had just
returned to Delhi from a trip to Disneyland in Florida and the lyrics of the theme
song that Alladin sings to Princess
Jasmine summed up our experience:
Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feeling
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond sky.
A whole new world, a whole new world.
Few amusement parks have paralleled the Disney
experience and with technological improvements, its
impact is even more profound. In one theme park the
latest dazzle was a virtual space flight called Mission
to Mars. It was so realistic that we felt we were sitting
inside a space shuttle and experiencing the G-forces
that astronauts feel before they break free from gravity. We all got off the ride wobbly and a trifle shaken.
It is the ability to simulate experiences using not
just rides but 3-D movies and even living creatures that
makes Disney extraordinary. In another park, instead
of a zoo-like atmosphere with
cages, wildlife including lions,
zebra, giraffes and rhinoceros
lazed around in surroundings
recreated to be like the African
Savannahs complete with a
bumpy jeep ride and a ranger.
Having gone through the genuine experience in South
Africa and boasting about it
to my friends then, I knew
I could never narrate to
my son what it felt to
actually see them in
SAURABH SINGH
the wild.
Later at a Toys R Us shop there was a lifesize replica
of a Tyrannosaurus Rex that moved its eyes, opened
its jaw and roared. My son confesses to have nightmares about being eaten by one of them even now.
There was a larger message that was coming through
that I believe parents need to ponder over. This is a
generation that would have no need for a Jules Verne
to expand their imagination. After all, we had just gone
from Earth to Mars in 80 seconds. Try convincing my
son otherwise. It is also a generation that lives in a
virtual world that is so real that even the real world
has become a virtual one. It is as the song says:
No one to tell us no
Or where to go
Or say we’re only dreaming.
It is, after all, a whole new world.
16
INDIA TODAY ◆ JUNE 26, 2006
SEEDHI BAAT ON AAJ TAK
“My image is of a singer of sad songs”
BOLLYWOOD COMPOSER HIMESH RESHAMMAIYA SPOKE TO
Editor PRABHU CHAWLA about his character and his music.
Q. Which was your first superhit song?
A. I began my career as a music director for Pyar Kiya
Toh Darna Kya. As a singer Aashiq Banaya Aapne was my
first film. Then I sang for the film Aksar.
Q. Your voice is powerful and the music loud; it forces
people to dance.
A. But my character is not loud. In Jhalak dikhla ja, I
have used aggressive rhythm in simple melody. My rhythm
is very contemporary and upbeat.
Q. Which kind of music is your USP?
A. Melodious, simplified raga-based compositions. All
my superhit songs are romantic.
Q. How do you compose a song?
A. It’s very difficult to make a good composition all the
time. First I create the music, then discuss the lyrics with
the writer based on the mood of the song.
Q. Who decides the music of a song? The music
director or you?
A. I discuss only situational songs with the director. For
romantic songs, the directors may choose a track from my
NEHA NATH
bank of compositions,
otherwise I compose as
per their demand. My
image is that of a singer of
sad songs.
Q. Which type of songs
suit your voice?
A. I sing all kinds of
songs. Ashiq banaya
aapne has a different
mood, Jhalak dikhla ja is a
celebration song and Aap
ki kashish is a sad song.
Q. Your songs suggest
that you are waiting for
someone.
A. My music is based on
the fact that everyone has fallen in love at least once. It’s my
conscious effort to make them relive their memories.
Q. How did you begin singing and composing?
A. I started composing at the age of 12-13. I decided to
produce a film when I was 16. I signed Salman Khan for a
film which was never completed. When Salman became a
superstar, he gave me a break in Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya
and Odh lee chunaria became a superhit song. Before this I
produced TV serials. Then I did music for Tere Naam,
Humraaz and Aitraaz.
Q. Is there a specific reason for your beard?
A. My friend Prashant Chadha developed my look.
Seedhi Baat is telecast on Aaj Tak at 8.30 p.m.
every Sunday and 3.30 p.m. every Monday
Full text of the interview at: