‘Losing musicians is very cruel,’ says AR Rahman of KK and Lata Mangeshkar’s deaths

In the year 2022, the Indian music industry lost some of its most talented artists. The year saw the deaths of Lata Mangeshkar, Bappi Lahiri, singer Tarsame Singh Saini aka Taz of Stereo Nation, KK, and Pandit Shivkumar Sharma. AR Rahman, a singer-composer, recently stated that losing musicians is “cruel.” While attending the IIFA Rocks in Abu Dhabi, he spoke to the media about the music maestros who died recently.

“Losing musicians is very cruel because every time they take you to another space,” Rahman said. I’m heartbroken over Lata ji (Lata Mangeshkar), KK, and SP Balasubrahmanyam’s deaths. The list goes on, but I believe the world is societal in nature, and it will continue to do so.” SP Balasubrahmanyam died in 2020 as a result of Covid-19 complications.

Lata Mangeshkar died of age-related complications in February 2022. Taz of Stereo Nation died in May from liver failure, and KK died recently in Kolkata after suffering cardiac arrest while performing live. Bappi Lahiri died in February as a result of health issues.

In the meantime, IIFA Rocks 2022 honoured Indian musicians and music. Rahman, who won an award for Best Background Score in Atrangi Re at the musical evening, said the evening is special for him because things are returning to normal after two years of pandemic. “This evening is special because we are returning after two years of lockdown and suffering,” he explained. I used to think it would take years to get back to normal, so I’m looking forward to all of the performances.”

The last time we heard AR Rahman’s music was in Tiger Shroff’s Heropanti 2. Mani Ratnam’s magnum opus Ponniyin Selvan featured him as a composer.

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