By Subhash K Jha

Outwardly, hours before the Times Of India Changing Notes concert for the launch of the Times Of India in Chennai the musical maverick A R Rahman is calm.

Being imperturbable is second nature to Rahman. But every concert even today is a challenge and an occasion for serious soul searching for the 41-year old maestro who has re-written every rule of film composition since Roja.

"My life has always been a journey. When I was in my 20s I went through the most turbulent and hectic time of my life. Now I spend as much time as possible with my children Khatija, Rahimaand Amin.

My studio in Chennai is bang opposite my house, so they spend a lot of time with me. All they've to do is cross the road and they're with me," Rahman says.

About the fabulous evening on Sunday when he regaled audiences with a roomy retrospective of his filmic repertoire Rahman said, "Basically we chose to perform my film songs. That seemed to be the need of the hour.

It was a rather special occasion since the Times Of India was launching its Chennai edition. Besides me there was my full orchestra, plus singers like Chitra "

Some hours before the show Rahman said from Chennai, "There's of course the usual chaos before a concert over here. So I can't speak at length with you right now. I love performing in Chennai. That's where my roots are."