By Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, Mar 19 (IANS): Composer A.R. Rahman plans to be out of India for the longest period for a series of world concerts and says he is not thinking about any other work for the next few months.

"It's a very tough schedule for me this year. I'll be out of the country for five months which I've kept aside completely for the word tour," Rahman told IANS.

The concerts will take Rahman to places he has never been before.

"I essentially need time for my music, sprirituality and family. Everything else is secondary. We'll be going to remote places in Europe, the Far East and America. I'll be touring from this month (March 2010). This would be my longest tour ever and I'm not thinking of any other work," said the composer.

Rahman admits time management is a problem.

"But you have to prioritise your time and do what you must. For example, I know I've to be away for five months this year. So it'd be foolish of me to commit myself to anything until I finish my concerts."

Rahman says it's a blessing to work out of his home.

"My family is always around me. I think that's what keeps me creatively charged. When I travel, I crave to return. My kids are growing up. It's important that they see their father regularly. Or they'll soon start calling me uncle."

Rahman has just done a soundtrack for a Tamil film directed by Gautam Menon.

"Then I've Mani Ratnam's 'Raavan' and Abbas Tyrewala's '1-800-Love'. Also Shekhar Kapoor's 'Paani', which is a very important film. But with the world tour on, will I have the time?"

Clarifying doubts about his age, he said: "I was born in 1967, so it's my 43rd birthday (in January this year). I am an old man now. Do I feel older? It's a good feeling. I'm heading towards the place where all of us are destined to. You are born and then one day you die. So my policy in life is to do what I want to do today, not tomorrow. If I want to do good things in life I better do them now."