Rabbi Shergill Critiques AR Rahman’s Approach to Lyrics

Singer Rabbi Shergill has expressed his perspective on working with acclaimed composer AR Rahman, highlighting a notable shift in the treatment of lyrics within Hindi film music. While he acknowledges Rahman’s exceptional musical talent, Shergill argues that the importance of lyrics has diminished in Rahman’s compositions, largely due to the composer’s limited understanding of Hindi.

During an appearance on Divas Gupta’s podcast, Shergill praised Rahman, stating, “I admire Rahman for his creative genius. He is a genius. There is no doubt about it.” Yet, he pointed out that “Rahman phase is not pro poetry or pro lyrics phase in Hindi film industry.”

Shergill elaborated on his concerns, noting that since Rahman’s rise, lyrics in the Hindi film industry have often taken a backseat. “I feel after Rahman came, the lyrics in the Hindi film industry became secondary, and if lyrics become secondary, that means expression becomes secondary,” he explained. He emphasized that this shift impacts the overall emotional resonance of the music, stating, “It means that somewhere your humanity and existence become secondary; this is my issue with Rahman.”

While Shergill acknowledges the shift in the industry, he clarified that he does not blame Rahman personally. “It is not his fault because it is not his language. He doesn’t understand it,” he commented. He emphasized that the responsibility lies with the industry to articulate its needs more clearly to the composer.

Shergill further distinguished between Rahman’s work in Hindi and Tamil music, referring to the latter as “another ball game.” This distinction underscores Shergill’s belief that Rahman’s cultural context in Tamil music allows for a richer lyrical engagement.

The conversation also touched upon Rahman’s own journey in mastering Hindi and other languages. The composer previously revealed that he began learning Hindi, Urdu, and Arabic nearly a decade into his career in the Hindi film industry, following advice from filmmaker Subhash Ghai. Rahman described this guidance as “beautiful advice” and expressed his commitment to understanding these languages better in order to connect more deeply with diverse musical traditions. He also mentioned starting to learn Punjabi after collaborating with singer Sukhwinder Singh.

As discussions about the role of lyrics in music continue to evolve, Shergill’s comments serve as a critical reminder of the importance of language and expression in shaping the emotional impact of songs. His insights highlight a broader conversation about the relationship between music and culture, particularly in the dynamic landscape of the Hindi film industry.