‘AR Rahman always brings an element of surprise,' says singer Madhushree: ‘He adds his touch later, and it turns out to be magical'

Indian Express

a day ago

Renowned playback singer Madhushree, who has carved a niche for herself in both Bollywood and South Indian cinema with her soulful voice and timeless songs, recently opened up about her creative process and experiences with some of the biggest names in the music industry during an interview with O2India. One name that inevitably came up in the conversation was that of Academy Award-winning composer A.R. Rahman. Reflecting on her collaborations with Rahman on iconic tracks like 'Kabhi Neem Neem' and 'Marudhani', Madhushree shared how his style never fails to surprise her.
'Rahman ji always brings an element of surprise… whether it's this song or Kabhi Neem Neem, he adds his touch later, and it turns out to be magical,' she said. The singer revealed that often, Rahman records his parts after the initial track is laid down, adding a unique energy that transforms the song entirely.
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Beyond AR Rahman, Madhushree has also worked with a host of acclaimed South Indian music composers. Speaking of her experiences with them, she highlighted their distinctive approaches and artistic personas. 'Whether it's Yuvan Shankar Raja, Harris Jayaraj, or Rahman ji, they more or less follow the same process. First they compose the song, and then they give you the space to rehearse. That's where there's some similarity.'
However, she emphasized a key difference that makes South Indian composers stand out: their deep involvement and clarity during the recording process. The singer siad, 'One thing about South Indian music composers is that they're so good, you never feel lost. They'll guide you with exact notations, where to pause, what expressions to use, they spell everything out, so you don't have to figure it out on your own. They are that good.'
Madhushree went on to praise MM Keeravani specifically for his precision and directorial clarity during recordings. 'When you go to sing for M.M. Keeravani, you don't have to do anything, just follow whatever he says. All of them understand singers really well.' When asked about the key differences between South Indian and Bollywood music industries, Madhushree didn't hesitate to point out a cultural distinction she finds admirable. 'There, everyone works according to time. If you're called at 1 pm, the session starts at exactly 1. They are extremely punctual. They follow rules and regulations. That's the main difference.'