SHOUTcast Blog

Sampooran Singh Kalra, better known by his pen name Gulzar, credits director Mani Ratnam's humility for his latest lyrics. Gulzar had already penned a few songs for Ratnam's latest film, 'Raavan,' for which the director sent the poet a note of thanks for his inspired work.

"In my entire career I've never received such a heartwarming endorsement of my work," Gulzar said. "I received a note from Mani Ratnam congratulating me and saying he's very proud of the music. And look at the humility of this genius. No filmmaker has ever sent me a note like this. Mani is the only one. And this one gesture has enhanced my respect for him even more."

After 47 years as a lyricist, this first thank you letter even drove Gulzar to accept an invitation from Ratnam to attend a screening of the film. He flew to Chennai to do so, and upon seeing the closing credits, felt that AR Rahman's song was too good to be released without lyrics, which is how the "extra" song came about.

Titled 'Ab iss shareer ke sirey khol dey/Aur goongi aatma ko bol dey,' Gulzar sent the lyrics to Rahman to include in the number. Rahman would no doubt have minded, being that Gulzar wrote the lyrics for 'Jai Ho' from the movie 'Slumdog Millionaire,' which won both men Grammy awards in 2010. This latest project together, 'Raavan,' is a modern retelling of the mythological tale that lies at the heart of the epic 'Ramayana.'

Watch a teaser of 'Raavan' after the jump.

At just 25 years of age, Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif has accomplished much. She began modeling at 14 in London, hired four years later to appear in the movie 'Boom.' Currently working on 'Tees Maar Khan' with Akshay Kumar, which is due out in December, she has recently released 'Rhyme Skool' alongside composer A.R. Rahman on the Indian Saregama label.

"I am very happy that I am playing a part in entertaining the children," Kaif said. "The music is simply amazing because it's composed under the guidance of a world renowned music composer like A.R. Rahman and his very talented students."

The album features students of Rahman, and was launched at the 5-star hotel, Intercontinental The Lalit in Mumbai. When asked about the music on the recording, Rahman replied, "First let me tell you that I have not composed the music in this CD. The music has been composed by my students. When they composed the music they waited for my approval and asked my guidance for it. But let me tell you the music was very melodious and I really loved it."

He also stated that the album will be loved by people of all ages, and called all of his students up during the press conference to introduce them personally. You can see a photo gallery from the press conference here.

Famed composing brothers Salim and Sulaiman Merchant have created monster hits in India as songwriters as well as singers. Their sounds have helped make movies such as 'Fashion,' 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi,' 'Chak De India,' as well as more recent hits like 'Pyaar Impossible' and 'Teen Patti,' memorable. The Merchants have also composed songs for Indi-pop stars such as Shweta Shetty, Asmaan and Viva, not to mention working with famed classical artists Ustad Zakir Hussain and Ustad Sultan Khan. Now they have achieved another honor: writing music for the closing ceremonies of the FIFA World Cup on June 11 in South Africa.

Composing in Mumbai's Juhu studio, the brothers injected African percussion and Zulu chanting into the song, which will also be used in promotion of the World Cup. "It is wonderful that we got to compose a track for an international event as big as the World Cup. The FIFA Committee has already heard the song and they are happy with the results," Salim stated.

The song was originally sung by Mumbai vocalist Siddharth Coutto, but ended up being crooned by legendary Senegalese artists Yossou N'Dour, as the FIFA committee wanted an African voice. According to Sulaiman, the song "has originated in India but is completely African in spirit."

Winning an Oscar for his work on the hit movie 'Slumdog Millionaire' did many things for Bollywood composer A.R. Rahman, including a book deal with Penguin. The company approached him to pen the tale of his life, which will be released in late 2010 in both Tamil and English.

Also approached was sound designer Resul Pookutty, who worked with Rahman on the 'Slumdog' soundtrack. Since making his break in film as the sound designer for the 1997 film, 'Private Detective: Two Plus Two Plus One,' he has worked in Bollywood and Malayalam industries, as well as Hollywood. His autobiography, 'Sabdatharapadham,' is being released this week in Mumbai, while it will soon be released in English.

Pookutty is right on time with his biography, while Rahman is behind schedule, not surprising given his recent commitment to his world tour, not to mention the films he is currently working on, which include 'Puli,' 'Sultan the Warrior' and '1-800-LOVE.'

While most well known as an actor for adults, not to mention his love of cricket (and ownership of a team), Shah Rukh Khan will be performing for a different audience: children. His new show, 'Ishaan,' which is a Sanskrit word meaning "Third Eye of Shiva," is based on a journey taken by a young boy who finds his identity through music.

"I have always enjoyed watching Disney Channel with my kids and I am happy that my company is producing a show that will be part of the Disney family," he said in a press release, talking about 'Ishaan.'

Airing for the first time on May 15, the show will include a soundtrack featuring 11 original songs. Indian television stars such as Shruti Ulfat, Rajinder Mehra and Rajiv Paul will be featured on the show.

The show will certainly get some push for Khan, who starred in the recent post 9/11 blockbuster 'My Name Is Khan,' which is now the highest grossing Bollywood movie of all time. In the movie, Khan (who plays a Muslim character, Rizwan Khan) moves from Mumbai to San Francisco and is the target of racism after the World Trade Center incident. He goes on a national journey where he meets both former president George Bush, as well as Barack Obama, in a film that hopes to mirror the nationalist tendencies that have occurred in the last nine years.

Israeli dance/music troupe Mayumana recently performed to rave reviews at the Ankara Music Festival. It was the group's first Turkish appearance after having performed its percussion-driven theatrical show in over 70 cities worldwide. These "skilled" -- Meyumanut means "skill" -- performers are renowned for their high energy a la Blue Man Group and Stomp!


"Basically, the idea is to combine all the skills that we possibly can on stage," dancer/violinist Tania Vinokur recently stated. "All those skills of everybody who can dance, sing, act, use humor, body language and acrobatics come together through the rhythm."

Comprised of roughly 100 members, from all corners of the world. The show is predominantly dance and drum driven, where dancers often use their own bodies, among many other things, as a form of percussion.

"We use also instruments," Vinokur said. "For example, I play the violin, but in the show the instruments used do not have to be the ones you used to see in a music band. It is not like drums set only. We use tunes, we use our body to play and we use steel drums and barrels."

During a time when tensions between Israel and Turkey are high, with Jewish/Muslim concerns, Vinokour offered a more universal approach to culture.

"I think the company is about internationalism and about combining and about languages. We speak only one language. This is the music, and it is known for everybody."

Watch a video of Mayumana perform live after the jump.

British-Indian singer Jay Sean has been making waves in America of late, but in his European homeland he has become one of the biggest stars. He was just nominated for six British Asian Music Awards, including Best Album ('All or Nothing'), Best Single ('Down'), Best Male Performer, Best Video ('Down'), UrbanAct and UrbanAsian. Being a fan-driven award ceremony, directions for voting are included on the page linked to above.

With his Facebook page approaching 500,000 fans, Sean's success has been unrivaled. He was the first South Asian solo artist to top the American Billboard Hot 100 for his single 'Down,' as well as the first UK urban act to do so. He sold more than three million copies of the song, ranked seventh overall for the year 2009. His debut U.S. release, 'All or Nothing,' landed at #35 on Billboard last year.

"Especially for the South Asians, do not let your skin color hold you back," Sean told Desi Club in 2006, a harbinger of his future success. "It's a love for music and strong passion to get where you are. If you believe in what you think, you can get there."

Watch the video for 'Down' after the jump.