Isn't composing music akin to film direction?
I always felt music to be universal and undifferentiated - Western classical, folk, Carnatic or Hindustani and so on.
For me, my music is part of me, and which is why it seems second nature, and my compositions are instinctive.
The challenge for a good musician is to bring out compositions that seem fresh to the listener, even if the listener has heard the song or the composition before.
For musical compositions to reach a high level and to derive from spontaneity, of course, one has to do the necessary steps to learn the rules and regulations of composing high quality music.
Good music is made with the help of many musicians who express their joy in the swaras.
Music and religion keep me young.
My music is religion, and my religion is music. They are one.
My commercial viability, coupled with my reputation, gives me enough freedom to assert my right as a composer.
No saint in the world lived like the great saint Ramana Maharishi. They say Jesus Christ was resurrected and rose again from the dead. But there's no proof of it. Ramana Maharishi is the only Mahan who has resurrected in life, and that, too, at the age of 16.
Only I hold the right to all my songs.
The performance of a music director should be judged in a holistic manner, which includes songs as well as background score.
Till 2010, there was one national award for Best Music Direction. I have received it thrice - for 'Sagara Sangamam,' 'Sindhu Bhairavi,' and 'Rudraveena.'
Composing is an emotional thing.
Can someone do music for 24 hours at a stretch and never get tired? It's me. Because I don't 'work'. I enjoy what am doing. It's not like a regular job.
To me, music is more like a spiritual seeking that takes one to unknown levels.
Art is a unifying language for all of us from across the world, and it transcends boundaries.
I truly believe that music or art, in general, is the only thing that can unify a world that is plagued by war and violence, and I believe that it should be taken to more people.
Government should take necessary steps to add music into school syllabus and impart knowledge to the students.
Music has the power to divert the violent minds.
