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AR Rahman Says Intolerance Protests In India Are Poetic

AR Rahman Says Intolerance Protests In India Are Poetic
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 04: Composer A.R. Rahman attends 'The Hundred-Foot Journey' New York premiere at the Ziegfeld Theater on August 4, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by D Dipasupil/FilmMagic)
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NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 04: Composer A.R. Rahman attends 'The Hundred-Foot Journey' New York premiere at the Ziegfeld Theater on August 4, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by D Dipasupil/FilmMagic)

PANAJI -- Internationally acclaimed music composer AR Rahman says the way certain intelligentsia of the country is protesting against the growing state of intolerance in the country is "poetic" as it is non-violent in nature.

The Oscar and Grammy winner feels any kind of revolt is welcome but it should be classy and people should not go out and hit one another.

"Everything should be done classily and any kind of revolt should be classy. I think it is very poetic what people are doing rather than hitting each other," Rahman said in an interview on the sidelines of NFDC Film Bazaar.

The 48-year-old music director says India should set an example to the whole world as this is the land of Mahatma Gandhi, who championed the non-violent movement in India.

"We should set an example to the whole world because we come from the land of Mahatma Gandhi. He has shown the whole world how a whole revolution can be brought about by non- violence," he said.

When asked if Muslims are unsafe in the country, he said, "I am not in the state of mind to answer this question."

Rahman also welcomed music maestro Ilaiyaraaja's suggestion to the government that music should be made compulsory in schools, saying it helps people to become more compassionate.

"I support him (Ilaiyaraaja) that's what has been my theory of life is. If a person knows music, it goes into the soul and triggers empathy and that's very important. The person becomes compassionate."

When asked about Aamir Khan's comments, Rahman said, "Don't pull me into trouble."

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.