Last june, during one of my cousins wedding I met one of my long lost relatives. When I was talking to him, he told me that he was working with the music industry. Not as a musician, but as a technician arranging instruments and setting up things in the studio etc. I thought his work profile was quite different and exciting. But when he said, ‘I have met Rahman sir twice’ I literally begged to him ‘Please take me to him, atleast once’. Sometime early last week, he told me that he has some work in A.R.R’s studio, and asked me if I would come along. He also told me that ‘Sir might or might not be there. I have work only in his studio, and I am not sure if we can meet him’.

I was more than happy to visit A.R.R’s studio. That in itself was a great thing for me. But I never knew that I would be so lucky. Saturday evening, we were initially supposed to be at A.M.Studios by around 7 PM. But due to some work, he got delayed and we were able to reach the studio by only 8.30 PM. It seems A.R.R had left by that time. But people from his office told my cousin ‘Sir ungala wait panna sonnaar’ (Sir, has asked you to wait) and made us wait in the first floor of A.M. Studios. We waited for some time, looking at the awards gallery and at his books collection.

The studio was so calm, and the interiors are tastefully done. Time just flew by and by around 11 or so, we received a message to meet A.R.R at his home. We rushed to his house, and were asked to wait at Panchathann. We were there for some 10 minutes or so, and before I realized I was shaking hands with the man, the maestro, the great A.R.R. Phew. Guess I looked so nervous. AC was on, but still I was sweating like crazy.

I have heard from people who have met him that he is so simple and humble. I can’t agree more. He came and sat next to me, and asked ‘Hey man, whats up?’ He was very friendly, and he has a great sense of humor. We were there for some 30 minutes or so, and I realized that I hadn’t asked him for his autograph or for a photograph. Boss was discussing something with my cousin and they decided to meet next day as well. And then he turned towards me and asked ‘Are you vegetarian or non vegetarian?’. I said ‘vegetarian’ and he said ‘Enna pa. Id anniku vandhu Biriyani vendaam solriye’ (What man? You are coming on the day of Ramzan, and don’t want to eat Biriyani?’) and he continued ‘Don’t worry, I will arrange Vegetarian’. I immediately agreed, as it meant I was also invited for the next day. Yay!!!

Next day we reached A.M.Studios by around 10.30 AM and this time, we had to wait for only 15 minutes or so. Boss came in a traditional dress (The one in the photograph), and this time I mustered enough courage to ask him for a photograph and autograph. I showed him the ‘Salaam Bombay Dreams DVD’ which Radhakrishnan from ARR Fans group had brought for some of us from London. I told Boss the same thing, as he was quite surprised how I got hold of it, as it was released only in UK and US. He is extremely friendly. I mean, he can just pose for the photograph and say bye bye. When my cousin took the photograph, he said ‘Inga avlova light irukaadhe pa. (There is not much light here) Come lets go near the window and stand facing the sun so that face is clearly visible’. Oh man! How much he understands a fans feeling? I really don’t have words to describe the emotions I underwent when the photograph was taken. Guess the photo says it all! After a while, he said ‘Come lets go home’. And you know what? He took us in his car.

My cousin was talking with ARR for some time and after that, we had lunch. They had ordered full meals from Saravana Bhavan, which I could not finish:D Who wants to eat? Post lunch, there were more guests and I could barely stand. My forearm had turned red by this time. Well, I was pinching myself for the entire day to find out if I was dreaming. Boss came back from lunch, spent some more time and bid adieu to us. (In the middle of all this, my cousin was discussing things related to their work with boss. It was all overhead transmission for me, since it was about music technology and things like that. But I didn’t care or even bother to understand what they were talking. Why on earth will I disturb them?’).

He shook hands again, and said bye after spending close to 5 hours with us. What a man? I am nothing to him. To spend close to 5 hours with a fan like me and treating me as a guest, shows how simple and down to earth he is. He needn’t have done all this. Talk to me for so long, invite to his house for lunch, share jokes with me, show some photos and videos, take me in his car. Even in the wildest of my dreams, I could not have imagined for something like this to happen. Not once did he behave like a celebrity, or try to show off. Really words fail me, when I have to describe Boss and his simple nature. While I was walking back to his studio to pick my car, I was quite overwhelmed with emotions. I didn’t know what I spoke with my cousin. I might have blabbered something :P

I left chennai by around 7 in evening, and during the entire journey was listening to A.R.R songs, and reached home by around 1 AM. For the first time in my life, a wonderful dream preceded the sleep. A dream that lasted for 24 hours. I don’t know if it has sunk in yet. If this is not luck, what is? I am really proud of being a fan of such a wonderful person.