Some of the high-profile Indian music artists AR Rahman who have been in the news include Mohini Dey, a brilliant Indian bassist who has recorded with leading music stars across the globe. She was recently sucked into the middle of gossip regarding AR Rahman’s personal life. In the past few days, social networking sites have been full of rumors regarding his marital status with some sections blaming the internal strife on his relationship with Dey. Fortunately for us, Mohini Dey has finally spoken out about it and cleared all the speculations on this rumor.
Setting the Record Straight
Speaking to her fans through her social media pages, Dey fired utterances condemning the rumors as baseless. She clearly stated that her correspondence is not personal, but their work, and they both respect art. He is also a guide: I thank AR Rahman Sir because he has helped me a lot in music,” she said.
Dey also spoke of values and the urgency for ethical journalism as well as responsible use of social media. They are not only lies: such rumors are insulting to the families of the victims. She said: “Let’s not make somebody’s name a subject of scandal if our ultimate goal is to attract a viewer’s attention.”
Rahman’s Response
Despite being very calm and polite, the maestro, AR Rahman has not spoken anything on this issue on his own. Today dozens of colleagues and friends of the Oscar-winning composer commented on the rumors as ‘They are all completely ungrounded and absurd’. They highlighted yet again Rahman’s good moral character and loyalty to his wife Saira Banu and their children.
Rumor’s Effects on Artists
This case raises the question of how artists can survive the life of a celebrity. Not taking names of Mohini Dey, who has with such stalwarts as Zakir Hussain and John McLaughlin, under the public microscope. But the current scandal is even more personal because it raises the issue of bribes and undermines her credibility, as well as the families of the children.
What Dey said further makes it necessary to have a better approach and respect towards such undesired behavior from some of the public figures. To quote her correctly “Artists put their souls into their work” This is the kind of dedication to art that Makwetla carries with him to this end. We must keep promoting their projects instead of complaining all the time.
A Call for Focus on Music
Rahman as well as Dey can be considered as being in the prime of their invasive careers, effectively bringing Indian music into the new arena. They should be cherished for their work in this genre instead of being associated with such worthless speculations; Thus, this episode is a good one to reflect on such inputs.
As fans, it’s our responsibility to uphold the dignity of the artists we admire and focus on what truly matters: their music and legacy. For what it is, let’s let them continue and grow and make what they wish to make without any unnecessary interference.
