Topping maestro's chart

Says Oscar winning music director A R Rahman, “Patriotism to me is a close cousin of freedom, and freedom to me is the right to make choices for everyone regardless of religion or economic status. Real patriotism means a country without war. I pray for a time when our country would have no war, ever.”

Adds the maestro, “When people tell me Maa Tujhe Salaam ranks next to Lataji’s Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon, I feel very proud. Anywhere I go, whether to patriotic events or television reality shows, I hear little kids singing, Maa Tujhe Salam, making me feel I have done something beyond my capacity and calling as a musician.”

According to Rahman, there is no greater joy than making one’s country proud.

“When I went up the stage to take my Oscar award, I felt I had made both my mothers proud, my biological mother and Bharat Mata.”