AR Rahman gets on Narendra Modi bandwagon, unveils track on demonetisation

Music maestro AR Rahman on Friday unveiled a 19minute music piece titled The flying lotus based on Prime Minister Narendra Modi governments move to demonetise high value currency notes But he says hes not making a judgment with the piece In November last year Modi announced that the government had decided to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes to tackle the menace of black money It was met with mixed reactions in the country with major criticism coming from many quartersAR RahmanNow Rahman who had earlier made a reference to demonetisation in his new version of the popular 1994 track Urvasi Urvasi has taken inspiration from it for his latest music piece in collaboration with the Seattle Symphony one of Americas leading symphony orchestras The flying lotus is an impression of the rise of India the whole journey of India I wanted to do something on what was going on in India during demonetisation and what will happen in the future Its open to interpretations Rahman told IANS in an interviewAsked about his collaboration with the Seattle Symphony the Grammy winner said They wanted something maybe simple Since I had an inspiration to do this they were very receptive and encouraging They loved the idea and found it very innovative It was a great team adding For a composer to get an orchestra like that is always a dreamThe flying lotus was premiered by the Seattle Symphony with conductor Ricardo Averbach at Celebrate Asia an annual concert that features music by famous Japanese Chinese Korean and Indian composers in May The emotionally charged track is interspersed with a few lines from Modis speech on demonetisation along with others stressing on digital economy the country going cashless and dhan dhana dhan wealthWhats his take on demonetisation I think the intention was right This the track is not about me making a judgement How would I know about something so big But I know what people are talking about the Chinese whispers the good and the bad Thats what I have put in my piece It is interesting to have an orchestra and expression like that The subject is very relevant to every Indian he saidThe music is an optimistic approach and also a journey of what we have been through I think thats what it should be It is not about personal agenda or religion It is about uplifting the poor Its about making our nation the best in the world he added Prior to its release Rahman said It will be released like a normal release by Universal Music India but I will send a copy to our PM and important people I would love to share my work with themGoing by the title of track it seems like he is happy with Bharatiya Janata Party as the ruling party in India I am happy with Indiaalways I am an Indian he said After creating a piece on a subject which is considered to be Modis biggest move would Rahman like to compose for any of the governments campaignsIf I have time then yes said the Maa tujhe salaam hitmaker Is he inching closer to joining politics No I dont have time for it I want to be in music and movies said Rahman whose AR Rahman Encore The Concert in association with MTV will celebrate his 25 years in music The event will take place in four Indian cities New Delhi Hyderabad Ahmedabad and Mumbai in November and December