Join us on "Brothers in Music: The A R Rahman Edition" as we dial back the clock to 1994—another year that saw A R Rahman compose and produce music like nothing heard before. It was the year when cinema halls echoed with the mesmerizing soundtracks of Kadhalan, May Madham, Duet, Pavithra, and Karuththamma in Tamil, along with Super Police and Gangmaster in Telugu. In Part 1, we explore May Madham and Kadhalan.

In this nostalgic journey,  we are joined by the multifaceted Anand Krishnamoorthi, renowned sound engineer, sound editor, production sound mixer (including on Ponniyin Selvan 1 & 2 and Vishwaroopam), and a former child star of the early '90s. Anand brings his unique perspective from working on iconic Tamil films, such as Mani Ratnam's Anjali and Thalapathi, Kamal Hasan's Sathi Leelavathi, and notably for our listeners, May Madham.

With Anand, we explore the nuances that made Rahman's sound a revolutionary force in the industry, delve into the intricacies of sound production and design, relive his memories of shooting the captivating songs of May Madham, discuss the fusing together of Rahman's music and 90s' Madras, pick apart soaring strings and banging basslines, raagas and chords, and generally saunter through the reminiscences of a less complicated time!

Notes:

1. Anand Krishnamoorthi (Wikipedia Page): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anand_Krishnamoorthi
2. Interview of Anand Krishnamoorthi on his experience working on Anjali:
https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/tamil-movies-mani-ratnam-30-years-of-anjali-child-actor-turned-sound-engineer-anand-krishnamoorthi-looks-back-at-his-time-on-the-sets-of-the-film
3.  The Intermission Podcast's deep-dive into Pettai Rap:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-intermission3/episodes/Ep-9-PettaiRRRap-e1u4n7c

Songs:

1. Rakamma Kaiya Thattu (Thalapathi 1991): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ecVVVx0dX4
1. Jamu Rathiri (Kshana Kshanam 1991):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG6fhfHk9zg
2.  Anand Krishnamoorthi dancing in Palakkatu Machanakku (May Madham 1994): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pupRjbTFL2Q
3. Madras Suthi Paaka Poren (iconic Madras song; May Madham 1994): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzrvVGKnGZw
4. Vadivelu singing Rasasa Kannu (Maamannan 2023): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AqeVDETiQA

Podcast Insta: @brothers.in.music

Swaroop: @tnagartornado on X and Instagram.
Sharan: @sharanidli on X.