Musical Genius - A R Rahman

AR Rahman was born on January 6th 1966 in Chennai, Tamilnadu to R.K.Shekar and Kasthuri (now Kareena Begum). The second of four children, Rahman has 3 sisters. His original name was A.S.Dileep Kumar. His father was a composer and conductor for Malayalam films. He started learning piano at the age of four, from Dhanraj Master.

Rahman was first drawn to music, when his father bought a synthesiser. This novel instrument caught his fancy, and he spent hours experimenting with it. Rahman lost his father, when he was just 9. The years after his father's demise were of struggle and hardships. His family rented out musical instruments as a source of income. 

As a child, music seemed to be a means of earning bread and butter. I had no special fascination for it... it was associated purely with work. Yet I couldn't take my eyes away from the synthesiser, it was like a forbidden toy.

AR Rahman joined Illaiyaraja's troupe as a keyboardist at the age of 11, to earn for his family. He learnt to play guitar, along with harmonium, piano, keyboard and synthesizer. But all these did have an adverse effect on his education, he dropped out of school when he was doing his 11th grade! Rahman accompanied violinist Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan and Zakir Hussain on world tours.

Rahman also played in the orchestra of M.S.V and Raj Koti. All these experiences paid fruit when he got a scholarship in the famous Trinity College of Music in Oxford University, where he graduated in Western Classical Music. After his return to India, he continued to be a part of local music troupes. Rahman founded the Chennai based rock group 'Nemesis Avenue', where he worked with his future colleagues like Drums Sivamani, Suresh Peters and Ranjit Barot.

Until then I thought you had to drink or take dope to be a good artist. But Ilayaraja was making such beautiful music and leading a pure life! Even now he is an inspiration for me being so religious.

Young Rahman felt monotonous to be playing in orchestra all the time, suppressing his creativity. The restlessness pushed him into making jingles for ads. The ads were a success, and his work was appreciated. Soon, he quit playing in orchestras and concentrated full time into advertising. During his 5 year stint in advertising, he composed over 300 jingles. Being a jingle composer, was also the stepping stone for his entry into films.

Rahman also released his first ever complete music album of Islamic devotional songs, followed by an album of English songs 'Set me Free'. Though these 2 works went relatively unnoticed among the public, it gave him some exposure to the music industry. He also composed music for the poems of Randhir Khare.

Working in ads contributed to the precision in my music. In jingles, you only have a few seconds to create a mood, or convey a message or emotion.
Jingles taught me discipline.

It all happened in 1988, when one of his sisters fell seriously ill. The family tried everything from medicine to religious methods. All attempts to cure her failed, until they met a Muslim Pir called as Pir Quadri. With the Pir's prayers and blessings, Rahman's sister made a recovery. Influenced by the teachings of the Pir, the entire family converted to Islam. Thus Dileep Kumar became Alla Rakha Rahman or AR Rahman! Rahman became a very religious and devout Muslim. Even today, you can see a framed photograph of the Pir in his state of the art recording studio.
Rahman's quote about his conversion to Islam:

I realised that there can be no life without a force governing us, without one God. And I found what I was looking for in Islam. As Dileep I had an inferiority complex. As A. R. Rahman I feel like I have been born again.

In 1991, AR Rahman received an offer, that changed his life forever. At an awards function to receive the Best Jingle Composer award, ARR was approached by ace director Maniratnam to compose music for his forthcoming film 'Roja'. He accepted the offer, and after the release of the film in 1992, Rahman had a huge fan following in Tamilnadu. He even got the National Award for the best music director, which is the first time ever by a debutant. There was no looking back for him, since then. He was flooded with offers to do more films.

I think it was the prospect of working with Mani that enticed me. Mani is no the usual kind of director who uses songs as fillers. He takes great pains over the music of his films.

AR Rahman was choosy about the films he accepted, opting for quality over quantity. Some of his successful movies in the next 2 years (1993-1994) were Gentleman, Duet, Thiruda Thiruda, Kadhalan, May Maadham. Songs like 'Mukkala Muqabla', 'Ennavale Adi Ennavale', 'Chikku bukku rayile' were huge hits. His classic composition for 'Duet' movie centering around one instrument - Saxophone - played by expert Kadri Gopalnath, was widely appreciated. During its days, Muqabla song was the flavour of the season, featuring dancing sensation Prabhu Deva.

Rather than making money, I believe in making people happy; all other things are secondary. That is why I am not interested in a lot of movies but only in one at a time. I like directors whom I can vibe with.

Though the Hindi dubbed versions of the Tamil movies Kadhalan (Humse Hai Muqabla), Bombay and Roja were big hits all over India, AR Rahman's first original score in Hindi was 'Rangeela' released in 1995. All the songs in the film were a phenomenal hit, he even brought veteran singer Asha Bonsle back into limelight with the songs 'Rangeela Re' and 'Tanha Tanha'. Even on the personal front, 1995 would be a memorable year for him as he got married to Saira Banu that year, on March 12th.

In the next couple of years, he composed music for various Hindi films like Daud, Mani Ratnam's Dil Se, Doli Saja Ke Rakhna, Taal, Thakshak. 'Chaiya Chaiya' song in Dil Se sung by Sukhwinder Singh, filmed on top of a moving train, became extremely popular. It was even voted among the Ten Most Popular Songs of All time in an international poll conducted by BBC!

AR Rahman created the evergreen album, Vande Mataram, to commemorate 50 years of Indian Independence in 1997. The album was released on 15th August 1997(Indian Independence Day) in 28 countries. It was such a huge success, that it sold over 1.5 million copies just in India! On the eve of the Golden Jubilee of Indian Independence, AR Rahman himself performed live in front of a packed audience at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi, including the then Prime Minister IK Gujral.
The song 'Maa Tujhe Salaam' kindles the patriotic feeling in every Indian. But you dont have to be an Indian, dont even have to know the language, to appreciate the ultimate expression of freedom in this classic song.

The primary objective of the album is to inspire a feeling for the country. And the sentiments so aroused go beyond caste, creed and colour. The feelings which inspired the album come from the heart, and can solve a lot of problems.

In 1999, AR Rahman along with a Indian dance troupe, performed with International pop star Michael Jackson in Munich, Germany as part of the 'Michael Jackson Friends' series. Rahman composed music for 'Warriors of Heaven and Earth', a Mandarin language picture with the sounds of Chinese and Japanese classical music. His maiden stage production was Andrew Lloyd Webber's play 'Bombay Dreams'. He composed music for 'Lord of the Rings' theater production in 2004. Rahman made his first foray into Hollywood, composing music for an American comedy feature film 'Couple's Retreat'.

AR Rahman has won four National Awards, which is the most ever by any composer. National awards were for the films Roja in 1992, Minsara Kanavu in 1997, Lagaan in 2002 and Kannathil Muthamittal in 2003. He has won 13 Filmfare awards! The Government of India bestowed the prestigious title of 'Padmashri' on Rahman, for his outstanding contribution to music. Rahman became the first Indian to win the Golden Globe Award for his music in Slumdog Millionaire, and also he is the first Indian musician to win BAFTA award. He has now been nominated for the Grammy Awards.

I am extremely happy and surprised at receiving this award. I hope I can justify my receiving this award. I thank God, my mother, all the people and the Govt for this award.

It was a dream run for India at the Oscars 2009. Before this, only two Indians have ever won an Oscar, costume designer Bhanu Athaiya for Gandhi (1982) and director Satyajit Ray who received a lifetime achievement award in 1992. Danny Boyle's rags-to-riches romance story, Slumdog Millionaire bagged 8 Oscars. AR Rahman was awarded 2 Oscars, for the Best Original Score and Best Song in the movie. He provided a glimpse of his talent, as he performed the 'Jai Ho' song live at the Oscars.

I want to thank everyone. The essence of the film is optimism and hope. All my life I've had a choice of hate and love. I chose love and I'm here. God bless.