"To understand each other, art is important," says Indian composer A.R. Rahman a week or so after the devastating combings in Mumbai. "It has to to do with the world scenario. If you're an artist you can do stuff politicans can't. With a song, you can bring love back in a way that makes sense to the community and society. It's very subliminal. I feel blessed."

A star throughout South Asia, A.R. Rahman has sold more than 100 million albums, 200 million cassettes, work withed Andrew Lloyd Webber, Michael Jackson and David Byrne, and scored more than 100 films - most recently, English director Danny Boyle's acclaimed Slumdog Millionaire, shot in India. Already, A.R's soundtrack, which blends big, bright Bollowood vibes with gritty hip-hop and grinding beats (he collaborated with M.IA. on "0...Saya") has won an IPA Satellite Award and Golden Globe nomination. On a more, subtle level, the powerfully unpredictable score drives the movie's feeling and pacing.

His music may be a force of nature, but theman himself is gentle, joyful and authentic. A Sufi Muslim, he doesn't drink alcohol and considers his studio a shrine. "People take off their shoes, there's incense all over the place," laughts the 42-year old, reached on the phone from his home in India. "It also shows you also respect what you do - that's very important." Less concerned about making "cool music," he feels the "sould and intention" of music and art are what count. "I write all kinds of scores, sentimental scores, hip hop, dance tracks... I listen to my stuff and ask, 'Do I want to listen to it? Do I think it's cool?' It's also passion; I want to love every bit of what I do."

Sharing his passion, A.R. recently opened a music school, the KM Music Conservatory. "The students are from all over India, Malaysia, Singapore," he says with childlike delight. "In India people are proud to say, 'My son is studying to be a doctor or laywer,' but never take pride in saying 'My son is studying to be a musician. I want to give it status as a legitimate career path. Today, there is the technology side and the artistic side. We're teaching both so people have options when they come up."

An expert at both aspects, A.R. enjoyed "a lot of freedom" while working on the Slumdog soundtrack, composed in just three weeks. "Sometimes you go with what the director wants, and sometimes you go with what he needs," he says. "Danny's point of view of Bombay is completely different from what an Indian director would do. Sometimes I asked myself, 'How does this guy know so much about my country?'"

Just released, the Slumdog Millionaire Soundtrack album also features M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes," and, of course, "0...Saya."

"I started when I was 12 years old, three generations ago, so she's a completely new generation and it's rejuvenating," says A.R. of his collaboration. "When people say, 'Why don't you work together', it's not a publicity stunt, it's about genuinely trying to create something new that completely takes you, shocks you.l 'O Saya' is the result of that."

"An awakening is happening in India," says A.R., ever optimistic. "[Peope are starting to be[ less complacent."

The Slumdog Millionaire Soundtrack is available on N.E.E.T./Interscope Records. A.R. Rahman's Connections is just out on Nokia Xpress Music.