Rahman’s Tolly Days

TThis time as the Oscar winners get known to the world, us Indians were particularly eager to get the results. And we all know why. It is the Rahman effect, as the music maestro got nominated for more than one category for the Oscars. And like everybody else, Telugu director Koti too sent up a prayer as he not just hoped but believed that Rahman deserves the honour. What gives him this conviction one wonders. For those who don't know, Rahman's meteoric rise had humble beginnings in Tollywood -- he started his music career working as a keyboard player with Tollywood's music director, Koti!
"He was very young, about 17 years old at that time," remembers Koti and says he joined him in 1985. "At that time, there was not much computer technology available to music directors. But Dileep (his first name then, later changed to AR Rahman) always showed interest in the new technology and was keen to study it. He worked with me relentlessly all day and night, till as late as 10pm. And after that he'd work the night through with the instruments until the early hours of the morning," Koti remembers.
After working with maestro Ilayaraja for many years, Rahman joined Koti. At that time his remuneration was just Rs 600. "He was a hard worker and always thinking about music. When he started his small studio Panchathan Record Inn he invited me to his studio. Back then he used to compose music jingles for advertisements, TV channels and documentaries," recalls Koti.
Koti says that apart from his hard work, Rahman has reached the top because of his mother's unstinting support. "She has given everything to Rahman. I still remember that she sold her gold ornaments and got into deep debt to get the latest musical instruments which at that time had to be bought from Singapore. But Rahman too worked with dedication and discipline and spared no efforts," said Koti. He adds that Rahman never worked to impress the director or producer he just composed quality music with the story in mind.
Rahman always looks for innovation in music. "At that time our Telugu directors and producers couldn't fathom the music we were doing. Their interest was in the commercial formula scores. That maybe one reason why Rahman didn't get to do many Telugu films," opines Koti. This did disappoint and upset Rahman, said Koti. And then, he recalls, it was a song in Nagarjuna's film Iddaru Iddare recorded at Rahman's studio that broke the jinx and the song became a huge hit. And then, he did the entire rerecording for the film Nalla Trachu and people began to notice his talent."
Koti thinks that Rahman is a gifted player. "Luckily Rahman got to work with many creative directors and producers. Once he made a mark with 'Roja' he never looked back. But I still see him as Dileep, the little boy who worked with me," Koti remembers nostalgically. “Today I am confident he will get the Oscar. But even if he doesn’t it won’t matter--- Rahman is a great musician,”he adds.
And on a closing note what does Rahman have to say about Koti? Well, as long drawn struggles gave way to success and Rahman came into his own, Koti recalls that at an audio function in the city last year, as chief guest Rahman said , "Initially, some of the directors with whom I had worked couldn't understand my tunes. It was Koti, who recognized the talent in me. I will never forget my association with Koti