Essays

Allah Rakha Rahman was born Dileep Kumar on 6 January 1966 in Madras (now Chennai), India. Born into a musically affluent family, he started learning the piano at the age of four. The pressure of supporting his family fell on him after his father passed away when he was nine. As a result of joining the legendary Ilayaraja's troupe as a keyboard player at the age of 11, he dropped out of school and travelled all around the world with various orchestras. He even accompanied the great tabla maestro Zakir Hussain on a few world tours. He won a scholarship at the Trinity College of Music at Oxford University, where he studied Western classical music and obtained a degree in music.

Dileep Kumar later embraced Islam due to some personal crisis and came to be known as A.R. Rahman. He moved to advertising in 1987, where he composed more than 300 jingles over 5 years. Simultaneously, he also started a small studio called Panchathan Record Inn, which later developed into one of the most well-equipped and advanced sound recording studios in India.

When Rahman met Mani Ratnam, one of India's most famous directors, at an award function, he played him a few of his music samples. Mani Ratnam loved them so much that he asked Rahman to compose the music for his next film, Raja (1992). And thus history was born. From then on Rahman never looked back. He went on to compose several great hits for Tamil-language films before composing the score and songs for his first Hindi-language film, Rangeela (1995). The enormous success of his First Hindi venture was followed by the chart- topping soundtrack albums of films such as Bombay (1995), Dil Se (1998), Taal (1999), Znheidmi (2001), and Lagoon (2001). Rahman, thus, revolutionized Indian film music by taking it to new heights.

Once labelled 'Mozart of Madras' by the Time Magazine, A.R. Rahman's impact on Indian popular music has been tremendous. He composes across genres, from swing to pop to rousing anthems and semi- classical tunes. In his debut Roja, lie lifted the Indian movie music and represented a break from the past. During his journey from Roja to Slumdog Millionaire, his ability to fuse strains from different schools of music has touched new levels. His flair for surprising the listeners by displaying a tremendous foresight has made him absolutely phenomenal. He has, in fact, transformed the way in which film music   Directors approach the art of composing in India. He has brought a new Round of international recognition to a country whose rich classical traditions have inspired oeuvres of global music.

In 2009, Rahman, India's most prolific music director, became the first Indian to win two Oscars. He dedicated his Oscars to God saying “all game and glory to God". He won the Oscar for Best Achievement  In  Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score for Slumdog  Millionaire (2008) and shared the Oscar for Best Achievement in Music  Written  for Motion Pictures, Original Score with lyricist Gulzar for the  Song “ jai Ho" in the same movie. At the International Indian Film academy (IIFA) Awards, he won the Popular Award for Music  direction  in 2002 (Lagaan), Award for Technical Excellence for Best  background Score in 2003 (Saathiya), Popular Award for Best Music  director for the song "Ru Baroo" in 2007 (Rang De Basanti), Award  for technical Excellence for Best Background Score and Award for  technical  Excellence for Best Song Recording (both for Rang De Rdianti  in 2007), and Popular Award for Best Music Direction in 200S (duni).

Rehman was the 1995 recipient of the Mauritius National Award and the Malaysian Award for contributions to music. Besides several Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, he has also won Fourteen Film fare   Awards, four National Film Awards, a BAI'TA Award, a golden Globe And two Grammy Awards.  In 2006, lie received .an honorary awards from stand ford University for contributions to global music. For his immense contribution to film composing, music and singing, Rahman Was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian honor,

In the last few years, Rahman has performed successful world tours of his concerts to audiences in Singapore Australia Malaysia, Dubai, UK, Canada, to the US (Hollywood Bow and 3d lour) and India. A two- Disc soundtrack, introducing A.R. rehman (2006) Featuring 2.5 pieces he composed from his Tamil film scores with scores was relapsed in May 2006. His Non-film album Connections was launched in December 2008. Rahman Is one of over 70 artists singing on "We Area the World: 25 for Haiti", A charity single in aid of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

Rehman’s interest and outlook in music stems from his love of experimentation. His music always possesses; I profound sense of humanity and spirit. His compositions have qualities that both appeal to and inspire several sections of Indian society. Music producer Ron fair considers Rahman to be "one of the world's great living composers in any medium".

Married to Saira Banu, Rahman has three children—Khadij.ili, Rahima, and Aameen. He is also involved in various charitable causrii In 2004, he was appointed as the Global Ambassador of the Stop TB Partnership, a project by WHO. He has shown support to charities including Save the Children, India, and worked with Cat Stevens yusuf Islam for his song "Indian Ocean". The song featured a-ha keyboard  player Magne Furuholmen and Travis drummer, Neil Primrose.the  proceeds of the song went towards helping orphans in Banda Aceh, our of the areas worst affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. Rahman composed the theme music for a short film for The Banyan in 2006 in aid of destitute women in Chennai. In 2008, Rahman, along with percussionist Sivamani created a song titled "Jiya Se Jiya", inspired by  the Free Hugs Campaign and promoted it through a video shot in various cities in India,                                                  

In 2008, Rahman opened his KM Music Conservatory partnered with Audio Media Education facility to tutor and train aspiring musician, in vocals, instruments, music technology and sound design. The Conservatory offers courses at Beginners, Foundation and Diploma level.