AR Rahman: I have never created any music that is anti-government

Touted as an offering that ldquoexemplifies the energy ambition and newfound confidence of Naga youthrdquo AR Rahmanrsquos feature documentary Headhunting to Beatboxing was unveiled at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in France ldquoFrom the ancient traditions of headhunting tribes to the musical renaissance in the state the documentary promises to take audiences on an immersive and enlightening musical anthropological odysseyrdquo read a statement released by the Nagaland governmentIn this interview Rahmanmdashwho has also produced the filmmdashchronicles how the artistes of the northeastern state became the muse of his next piece of workEdited excerpts of the interviewWhat drew you to the story of Headhunting to BeatboxingIt was a discovery I was invited to Nagaland I went with apprehension because there are rumours relating to the history of Nagaland especially the practice of headhunting I discovered this film organically and called Rohit Gupta director I told him that he should see the Hornbill festival that was taking place in Nagaland where young people were also turning up He came and started shooting The government was friendly because they wanted this to happen They have a minister for music It was fascinating to see the initiatives they have taken I felt something needed to be doneWhen you watch it you will realise that two things stand outmdashone is that this film depicts India and the other is that it is a reflection of the inclusivity that we should aim to inculcate in society I see a section of the country that is completely ignored Thatrsquos not good Itrsquos like we have a family but three people arenrsquot fed properly It is oddYou unveiled the filmrsquos teaser at the recently concluded Cannes Film Festival When you are present on an international platform do you carry the pressure of being the Indian icon AR Rahman I donrsquot try to be anybody else On social media and on our website we are transparent about what we stand for I donrsquot put out any material that is antigovernment because as a musician I should maintain a neutral stance My music should be the haven that people seek solace in I donrsquot have time for negative things My music needs peace and healingBut while creating any piece of music does the pressure to cater to your global audience play on your mindWhen Roja 1992 won a National Award people said lsquoIsnrsquot it too early for you to get a National Award for your first filmrsquo The bar was set high I felt I had nothing left to give as I had given everything to my first film But then you meet a new team on a new film and it gives you hope You can create something new For me with the first film itself that pressure has existed Thatrsquos the reason I began to slow down While others were producing songs in seven hours I would take weeks or months to create the soundtrack I slowed down intentionally and the industry took note They realised that we could move towards quality and be responsible instead of urging musicians to finish five songs in a day Songwriting is an art that should be nurtured Give it the spiritual energy that people can accessAt that time my intention was to charge more and do less It was also important to focus on the life happening around you When you work you become a slave and you donrsquot derive anything from life You are just cannibalising what has come before Unless you learn new things how can you give people something novel And to learn new things you need to meet people see whatrsquos happening in the world and spend time with your familyHow do you look at the music culture of todayrsquos IndiaItrsquos great that nonfilm music is becoming popular If that didnrsquot happen people would shell out a lot of money into making music that the masses donrsquot even like They may say that the song has crossed many million views but people wonrsquot even know what the hook line is The game of paid views is over People are listening to different kinds of songs But there are certain lyricists who are bringing back the golden age of the rsquo50s and rsquo60s Artistes like Irshad Kamil and Amitabh Bhattacharya have brought worthiness into lyricism They bring a new kind of beauty to the words that they write I feel there could be more progress in lyric writing especially in its ability to convey the philosophies of life rather than simply stating lsquoI love you Love mersquo I like lyrics that are symbolic Therersquos scope for a revolution there