*The Mozart of Madras* - Happy Birthday AR Rahman

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VishaD.

@VishaD.

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Posted: 13 years ago

Biography of AR Rahman:

A two-time winner of the Academy Award (Oscar), A. R. Rahman is popularly known as the man who has redefined contemporary Indian music. Hailed by Time magazine as the 'Mozart of Madras', Rahman, according to a BBC estimate, has sold more than 150 million copies of his work comprising of music from more than 100 film soundtracks and albums across over half a dozen languages, including landmark scores such as 'Roja', 'Bombay', Dil Se', 'Taal', 'Lagaan', 'Vandemataram' and more recently, 'Jodhaa Akbar', 'Delhi 6' and 'Slumdog Millionaire'.

Rahman pursued music as a career at a very young age and after assisting leading musicians in India went on to compose jingles and scores for popular Indian television features. He also obtained a degree in western classical music from the Trinity College of Music, London and set up his own in-house studio called Panchathan Record-Inn at Chennai. In 1991, noted film maker Mani Ratnam offered Rahman a movie called 'Roja' which was a run-away success and brought nationwide fame and acclaim to the composer. The movie also won Rahman the Indian National Award for the best music composer, the first time ever by a debutant. Since then, Rahman has gone on to win the National Award 3 more times, the most ever by any music composer.

In 1997, to commemorate 50 years of Indian Independence, Sony Music signed up Rahman as its first artiste in South Asia. The result was 'Vande Mataram', an album that instantly made Indians relate to it and succeeded in rekindling the spirit of patriotism. In 2001, Andrew Lloyd Webber, the well known composer of musicals like 'Phantom of the Opera' & 'Jesus Christ Superstar' invited Rahman to compose for his musical, 'Bombay Dreams', the first time he would produce a musical he did not compose for. 'Bombay Dreams' opened to packed houses at London's West End and had an unprecedented run for 2 years and later premiered at New York's Broadway. Rahman recently composed the score for the stage production of 'The Lord of the Rings', one of the most expensive productions mounted on stage.

Rahman has undertaken several sellout concert tours in over 30 international destinations including one at the prestigious Hollywood Bowl in 2006.Recently, Time magazine rated the soundtrack of 'Roja' in the Top 10 of their all time best movie soundtracks of the world; The Guardian, UK, listed the soundtrack of 'Bombay' in '1000 albums to listen before you die'.

Rahman's music led him to be noticed internationally with several of his tracks featuring in movies such as 'The Lord of War', 'Inside Man' and 'The Accidental Husband'. His composition, Bombay Theme holds the distinction of being featured in over 50 international compilations. He also scored the music for the Hollywood productions, 'Elizabeth - The Golden Age', 'Slumdog Millionaire', 'Couples Retreat' and the Chinese movie, 'Warriors of Heaven & Earth' produced by Sony Pictures.

In 2008, Rahman's work gained global prominence with the extraordinary success of his score for 'Slumdog Millionaire' that won 8 Academy Awards including two for Rahman, for Best Score and Best Song. Rahman won over 15 awards for his score including two Grammys, the Golden Globe and the BAFTA.

Rahman has been bestowed with the 'Padma Bhushan' and 'Padma Shri', two of India's highest national civilian honours, recognizing his contribution to music, in addition to several other awards including 4 Indian National Film Awards and 25 Filmfare Awards, India's leading recognition for films. He has also been conferred with honorary doctorates from the Trinity College of Music, Aligarh Muslim University, Anna University and the Middlesex University. He was also named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, in 2009.

Rahman has expanded his focus to newer horizons like setting up the A R Rahman Foundation to help poor and underprivileged children. He released his first English single, 'Pray For Me Brother' in 2007, with proceeds from the sales going to the foundation. He also serves as the UN Ambassador for the 2015 Millenium Development Goals. Rahman has also announced initiatives to establish a tradition in western classical music in India and recently embarked on an ambitious venture to set up the KM Music Conservatory and the KM Music Symphony Orchestra based out of Chennai, India. He plans to provide a platform for non-mainstream music through his music label KM Musiq and will shortly launch a couple of artistes.

Rahman's upcoming projects includes Lavender, Rockstar, Hara, The Desire, Paani and Bhag Milkha Bhag.

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Edited by MP_Radha - 13 years ago

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VishaD.

@VishaD.

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Posted: 13 years ago

List of Awards:

CIVILIAN AWARDS

Padma Shri, Awarded by the Government of India (January, 2000)

Padma Bhushan, Awarded by the Government of India (January, 2010)

HONORARY DOCTORATE

D. Lit., Awarded by the Aligarh Muslim University (June, 2009)

D. Lit., Awarded by the Middlesex University (July, 2009)

D. Lit., Awarded by Anna University (August, 2009)

Fellow, Trinity Collge of Music, Oxford University (December, 2009)

NATIONAL FILM AWARDS

Best Music - Roja (Tamil, 1993)

Best Music - Minsara Kanavu (Tamil, 1997)

Best Music - Lagaan (Hindi, 2002)

Best Music - Kannathil Muthamittaal (Tamil, 2003)

ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS AND SCIENCES (OSCARS)

Best Score - Slumdog Millionaire (English, 2009)

Best Song - Jai Ho, Slumdog Millionaire (English, 2009)

GOLDEN GLOBES

Best Composer - Slumdog Millionaire (2009, English)

British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA)

Best Music, Slumdog Millionaire (English, 2009)

GRAMMY AWARDS (NATIONAL ACADEMY OF RECORDING ARTS AND SCIENCES)

Best Song written for Motion Picture, Television or Other visual Media - Jai Ho, Slumdog Millionaire (2010)

Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or other Visual Media - Slumdog Millionaire (2010)

FILMFARE AWARDS

Best Music - Roja (Tamil, 1993)

Best Music - Gentleman (Tamil, 1994)

R D Burman Award for Best New Musical Talent - Roja (Hindi, 1995)

Best Music - Kadhalan (Tamil, 1995)

Best Music - Rangeela (Hindi, 1996)

Best Music - Bombay (Tamil, 1996)

Best Music - Kadhal Desam (Tamil, 1997)

Best Music - Minsara Kanavu (Tamil, 1998)

Best Music - Dil Se.. (Hindi, 1999)

Best Music - Jeans (Tamil, 1999)

Best Music - Taal (Hindi, 2000)

Best Music - Mudhalvan (Tamil, 2000)

Best Music - Alai Payuthey (Tamil, 2001)

Best Music - Lagaan (Hindi, 2002)

Best Background Score - The Legend of Bhagat Singh (Hindi, 2003)

Best Music - Saathiya (Hindi, 2003)

Best Background Score - Swades (Hindi, 2005)

Best Music - Rang De Basanti (Hindi, 2007)

Best Music - Sillunu Oru Kadhal (Tamil, 2007)

Best Music - Guru (Hindi, 2008)

Best Background Score - Guru (Hindi, 2008)

Best Music - Shivaji (Tamil, 2008)

Best Background Score - Jodhaa Akbar (Hindi, 2009)

Best Music - Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (Hindi, 2009)

Best Music - Delhi 6 (Hindi, 2010)

SCREEN AWARDS

Best Music - Kadhal Desam (South - Tamil, 1997)

Best Music - Minsara Kanavu (South - Tamil, 1998)

Best Non-film Album - Vande Mataram (1998)

Best Music - Taal (Hindi, 2000)

Best Background Score - Rang De Basanti (Hindi, 2007)

Best Music - Guru (Hindi, 2008)

Best Background Score - Guru (Hindi, 2008)

Best Music - Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (Hindi, 2009)

Best Background Score - Jodhaa Akbar (Hindi, 2009)

Best Music - Delhi 6 (Hindi, 2010)

DINAKARAN CINE AWARDS

Best Music - Minsara Kanavu (Tamil, 1998)

Best Music - Jeans (Tamil, 1999)

Best Music - Mudalvan, Kadhalar Dhinam (Tamil, 2000)

TAMIL NADU STATE AWARD

Best Music - Roja (1993)

Best Music - Gentleman (1994)

Best Music - Kadhalan (1995)

Best Music - Bombay (1996)

Best Music - Minsara Kanavu (1998)

Best Music - Sangamam (2000)

CINEMA EXPRESS AWARD

Best Music - Roja (Tamil, 1993)

Best Music - Gentleman (Tamil, 1994)

Best Music - Kadhalan (Tamil, 1995)

Best Music - Kadhal Desam (Tamil, 1997)

Best Music - Jeans (Tamil, 1999)

KALASAAGAR AWARD

Best Music - Roja (Tamil, 1993)

Best Music - Gentleman (Tamil, 1994)

Best Music - Kadhalan (Tamil, 1995)

Best Music - Bombay (Tamil, 1996)

FILMFANS' AWARD

Best Music - Roja (Tamil, 1993)

Best Music - Gentleman (Tamil, 1994)

Best Music - Kadhalan (Tamil, 1995)

Best Music - Bombay (Tamil, 1996)

CINEGOERS' AWARD

Best Music - Roja (Tamil, 1993)

Best Music - Gentleman (Tamil, 1994)

Best Music - Kadhalan (Tamil, 1995)

Best Music - Bombay (Tamil, 1996)

ZEE AWARDS

Best Music - Zee Sangeet Awards, Dil Se.. (Hindi, 1999)

Best Music - Zee Cine Awards, Taal (Hindi, 2000)

Best Music - Zee Cine Awards, Lagaan (Hindi, 2002)

Best Music - Zee Cine Awards, Saathiya (Hindi, 2003)

Best Background Score - Zee Cine Awards, The Legend of Bhagat Singh

(Hindi, 2003)

Best Music - Zee Cine Awards, Rang De Basanti (Hindi, 2007)

Best Music - Zee Cine Awards, Guru (Hindi, 2008)

Best Background Score - Zee Cine Awards, Guru (Hindi, 2008)

BOLLYWOOD INTERNATIONAL FILM AWARDS

Best Music - Taal (Hindi, 2000)

Best Music - Lagaan (Hindi, 2002)

Best Music - Saathiya (Hindi, 2003)

Best Music - Guru (Hindi, 2007)

BOLLYWOOD INTERNATIONAL MUSIC AWARDS

Best Music - Taal (Hindi, 2000)

Best Song - Taal Se Taal Mila, Taal (Hindi, 2000)

INTERNATIONAL INDIAN FILM AWARDS (IIFA)

Best Music - Taal (Hindi, 2000)

Best Music - Lagaan (Hindi, 2002)

Best Music - Saathiya (Hindi, 2003)

Best Background Score - Saathiya (Hindi, 2003)

Best Background Score - Rang De Basanti (Hindi, 2007)

Best Song Recording - Rang De Basanti (Hindi, 2007)

Best Composer - Rang De Basanti (Hindi, 2007)

Best Background Score - Guru (Hindi, 2008)

Best Composer - Guru (Hindi, 2008)

Outstanding Achievement by an Indian in International Cinema - 2008

Best Background Score - Jodhaa Akbar (Hindi, 2009)

Best Composer - Jodhaa Akbar (Hindi, 2009)

Composer of the Decade (Special Award) - 2009

GLOBAL INDIAN FILM AWARDS (GIFA)

Best Background Score - Rang De Basanti (Hindi, 2007)

Best Music - Rang De Basanti (Hindi, 2007)

SAHARA SANGEET AWARDS

Best Music - Yuva (Hindi, 2004)

Best Music Arranger - Meenaxi (Hindi, 2004)

Critics' Award for Best Music - Swades (Hindi, 2005)

CHANNEL [V] AWARDS

Viewers' Choice Award (1998 )

Best Producer - Vandemataram (1998)

MTV AWARDS

MTV IMI Award for Best Song - Dil Se Re, Dil Se.. (Hindi, 1999 )

MTV Asia Music Awards for Most Popular Artiste, India (2003)

MTV Immies for Best Music - Saathiya (Hindi, 2003)

V SHANTARAM FILM AWARDS

Best Music - Taal (2001)

Best Music - Guru (2007)

Best Music - Jodhaa Akbar (2008)

STAR VIJAY AWARDS

Most Favourite Music Director (2006)

Best Music Director - Shivaji (Tamil, 2008)

CNN IBN SONG OF THE YEAR AWARD

Roobaroo, Rang De Basanti (Hindi, 2006)

Tere Bina, Guru (Hindi, 2007)

Kabhi Aditi, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (Hindi, 2008)

MIRCHI MUSIC AWARDS

Song of the Year - Jashn-e-Bahaara, Jodhaa Akbar (Hindi, 2009)

Album of the Year - Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (Hindi, 2009)

Music Director of the Year (Hindi, 2009)

Best Background Score - Jodhaa Akbar (Hindi, 2009)

Listeners' Choice Song of the Year - Kabhi Aditi, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na

(Hindi, 2009)

Listeners' Choice Album of the Year - Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (Hindi, 2009)

Song of the Year - Masakkali, Delhi 6 (Hindi, 2010)

Album of the Year - Delhi 6 (Hindi, 2010)

Best Music Director - Masakkali, Delhi 6 (Hindi, 2010)

Best Song Arranger and Programmer - Delhi 6 (Hindi, 2010)

OTHER AWARDS FOR FILMS

R. D. Burman Award for Best New Composer,SuMu Music Awards (1993)

Lux-Kumudam Award - Kadhalan (Tamil, 1995)

Stardust Cine Honours for Best Music - Taal (Hindi, 2000)

Filmgoers's Award for Best Music - Taal (Hindi, 2000)

ARY Asian Bollywood Music Awards - Outstanding Asian Musician (2005)

Pogo TV Awards for Best Song - Masti Ki Paathshala, Rang De Basanti (Hindi, 2007)

NDTV Song of the Year Award 2006 - Masti Ki Paathshala, Rang De Basanti (Hindi, 2007)

Sunfeast Isai Aruvi Tamil Film Music Awards 2008 - Best Music (Sivaji, Tamil)

LA Critics Film Awards - Best Score - Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Black Reel Awards - Best Score - Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

NY Film Critics Online Awards - Best Score - Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

International Press Academy Satellite Awards - Best Score - Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

San Diego Film Critics Awards - Best Score - Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Pogo TV Amazing Song of the Year - Kabhi Kabhi Aditi, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (Hindi, 2008)

Lux Sabsey Favourite Kaun Awards 2009 - Sabse Favourite Gaana - Kabhi Aditi (Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (Hindi, 2008)

Houston Film Critics Society Awards - Best Original Score, Runner-up - Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Houston Film Critics Society Awards - Best Original Song, Runner-up - Jai Ho, Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

BFCA Critics Choice Awards - Best Composer, Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Central Ohio Film Critics Association Awards - Best Composer, Runner-up - Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Asian Film Awards - Best Music, Jodhaa Abkar (Hindi, 2009)

Cine Blitz Awards - Best Music, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (Hindi, 2009)

BMI Film Music Awards - Best Music, Slumdog Millionaire (English, 2009)

9th World Soundtrack Academy Awards - Best Song, Jai Ho, Slumdog Millionaire (English, 2009)

Just Plain Folks Aards 2009 Best Indian Album - Godfather (2007, Tamil)

Film and Television Guild of India Apsara Awards 2009 - Best Music (Jodhaa Akbar, 2009)

BMI London Awards - Best Soundtrack, Couples Retreat (English, 2010)

Popular Film Awards 2010 Best Composer, Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2010)

AWARDS FOR OVERALL ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC

Madras Telugu Academy Puraskar (1992 to 1994)

Sanskriti Award, Awarded by the Sanskriti foundation (1994)

Bommai Nagi Reddy Award (1995)

Kalaimamani Award, Awarded by the Government of Tamil Nadu (1995)

Thangapillai Award (1995)

Rajiv Gandhi Award (1995)

Gana Kaladhar, Awarded by Bharat Kalachar (1996)

Malaysian National Award for contribution to music (1996)

Fanta Award (1999)

Awadh Sammaan, Awarded by Government of Uttar Pradesh (May, 2001)

Al-Ameen Education Society Community Award (2001)

Amir Khusro Sangeet Nawaz Award (2002)

Lata Mangeshkar Samman, Awarded by Government of Madhya Pradesh (2005)

Mahavir Mahatma Award, Awarded by the Oneness Foundation (April, 2005)

Honour for Contribution to Global Music, Awarded by Stanford

University, USA (January, 2006)

Swaralaya Award for contribution to Music (2007)

Limca Book of Records, Indian of the Year for Contribution to Popular

Music (2007)

CineMaya Indian Achiever Award (2007)

Isai Thirai Award 2008

Rotary Club of Chennai Award for Lifetime Achievement (2008)

CNN-IBN Global Indian of the Year (2009)

UK Asian Music Awards 2009 - Outstanding Achievement

Sanatan Sangeet Puraskar 2006

Vijay TV Awards - Chevalier Shivaji Award for Lifetime Achievement in

Music (2009)

CNN-IBN Indian of the Year (2009)

NDTV Indian of the Year (2008)

CNN-IBN Entertainer of the Year (2009)

NDTV Music Icon of the Year (2009)

FICCI Global Icon (2010)

Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration (2010)

Outstanding Achievement in Music - British Asian Awards (2010)

Special Achievement Award - 10th Annual Mahindra Indo-American Arts Council film festival (2010)

Edited by Visha_Dhami - 13 years ago

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VishaD.

@VishaD.

Achiever

+ 7

Posted: 13 years ago

Gallery of AR Rahman:

Trivia
Ar Rahman is also known as Isai Puyal which means the music storm. Other notable nicknames are The Mozart of Madras and most latest, The Oscar Hero.

In a recent interview with Rahman on the occasion of the launch of his autobiography book, he said that in his earlier days his mom sold her gold ornaments and jeweler to buy certain musical instruments.

Rahman has since been awarded the Silver Lotus three more times for Minsaara Kanavu (Electric Dreams, Tamil) in 1997, Lagaan (Tax, Hindi) in 2002, Kannathil Muthamittal (A Peck on the Cheek, Tamil) in 2003, the most ever by any composer.

Roja's score met with high sales and acclaim in both its original and dubbed versions, led by the theme song "Chinna Chinna Aasai" bringing about a marked change in film music at the time.

Rahman followed this with successful scores for Tamil'language films of the Chennai film industry including Ratnam's politically charged Bombay, the urbanite Kadhalan, Thiruda Thiruda and S. Shankar's debut film Gentleman, spurred by the popular dance song "Chikku Bukku Rayile".

His soundtracks gained him recognition in the Tamil Nadu film industry and around the world for his stylistic versatility incorporating Western classical, Carnatic and Tamil traditional/folk music traditions, jazz, reggae and rock music.

Rahman has worked with Indian poets and lyricists such as Javed Akhtar, Gulzar, Vairamuthu and Vaali. He has consistently produced commercially successful soundtracks when collaborating with particular film directors such as Mani Ratnam.

Vande Mataram, an album of his original compositions released on India's 50th anniversary of independence in 1997, enjoyed great commercial success.

Rahman is currently one of the highest paid composers of the motion picture industry.

Videos
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Czhkrwzqvww[/YOUTUBE]
AR Rahman's first movie Roja

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRITPjraXgA[/YOUTUBE]
AR Rahman's song for Semmozhi

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is5A7sFCrT8[/YOUTUBE]
The song that became all time Friendship's theme

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjMs_imWkFM[/YOUTUBE]
AR Rahman's song for Peace

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSVDpQK4-UY[/YOUTUBE]
AR Rahman's song that features international singer Kylie Minogue

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWeIBEKY3S4[/YOUTUBE]
AR Rahman's Maa Tujhe Salaam

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yc5OyXmHD0w[/YOUTUBE]
AR Rahman's Oscar Winning Jai Ho

Edited by Visha_Dhami - 13 years ago

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VishaD.

@VishaD.

Achiever

+ 7

Posted: 13 years ago

Some of his works:

Yai re yai re jor lagake naache re
Yai re yai re milke dhoom machaaye re
Chal mere sang sang lele duniya ke rang
Hoja rangeela re rang rang rangeela re

Yai re yai re jor lagake naache re
Yai re yai re milke dhoom machaaye re
Chal mere sang sang lele duniya ke rang
Hoja rangeela re rang rang rangeela re

Tum Ho Paas Mere Saath Mere
Tum yoon
Jitna Mehsoos Karooon tumko
Utna Hi Paa Bhi Loon

Kis Tarah, Chheenega
Mujh Se Ye Jahaan Tumhe
Tum bhi Ho hai Kya Fikar Ab Humein

Evano Oruvan VaasikkiraanIruttil Irundhu Naan YaasikkirenThavam Pol Irundhu YosikkirenAdhai Thavanai Muraiyil Nesikkiren

Edited by Visha_Dhami - 13 years ago

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VishaD.

@VishaD.

Achiever

+ 7

Posted: 13 years ago

Happy Birthday AR Rahman

Do join us in wishing 'The Mozart of Madras' in celebrating his 46th Birthday on the 6th of January and lets wish him more success and reaching more heights in the upcoming years and spread music all over the world. ** We at the Sensational South Forum would like to wish the Mozart of Madras a Happy Birthday ** G O D B L E S S Y O U!

Celebrity Tweets

STRFans STR Silambarasan

Happy bday @arrahman sir

dirvenkatprabhu venkat prabhu

@arrahman happy birthday Saar!!

gvprakash G.V.Prakash

Happy bday to the grt arrahman sir :) !! Best wishes and lotsa luv ...

anavenkat anand k v

Happy B'day Rahman @arrahman. Proud to be one of the cinematographer to work with you for more number of films.

Birthday Celebration at the Sensational South Cinema Forum. To Join, Click on the Logo Below!

Edited by Visha_Dhami - 13 years ago

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hopper_ocean

@hopper_ocean

Alumni

+ 2

Posted: 13 years ago

Beautiful post and information Visha .. thanks⭐️

Wishing him all the best and happy birthday ..

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Kinu

@kinu17

Sparkler

+ 7

Posted: 13 years ago

Thanks Vi..u have done awesome job...
A.R.Rahman...is a legend ..
God bless him on his birthday..
God bless u Vi...👏

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supercool3

@supercool3

Alumni

+ 5

Posted: 13 years ago

I wish ARR a beautiful birthday and and may God bless him with more success and prosperity

Brilliant post Visha !

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VishaD.

@VishaD.

Achiever

+ 7

Posted: 13 years ago

It was truly an honor to make this birthday thread for a person who made us all proud in the eyes of the world 😊

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Putija

@PutijaChalhov

Stunner

+ 9

Posted: 13 years ago

#10

Thanks Visha lovely thread

A great birthday wishes for a great man

Rare facts about A.R Rehman

On his trip to Delhi to receive the Padma Shri, he offered namaaz at the Hazrath Nizamuddin Dargah. In 1995, his mother choose Saira Banu as his bride. The couple have two daughters and a son.

Rahman zealously guards his privacy. His house is protected from prying eyes by an imposing gate and guests are ushered through a side gate into a small and austere office. Ask him to pose for a photograph in his well-manicured lawn, and he very politely but firmly shakes his head. "He just wants to be left alone with his music," said James Noell, a long-time aide. He would rather the hype and hoopla surrounded his music than his persona.

But his shy demeanour hides a generous heart. Associates remember him stopping at a busy Mumbai intersection to give alms to beggars lining the street. "He just thrust his hand into his pockets and gave them all the money," said one. Another time in Chennai he got out of his car to help a cyclist who lay in an epileptic seizure."

E Vijayalakshmi, Chennai, All the world is a keyboard .

"I worked with him for 58 nights for Taal and he would compose music from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. He knows technique, has a rare sense of sound and a great ear. He can make any besu

ra (tuneless) voice sing well. This is obvious from singers who have sung beautifully for his albums but have not done well later."

After Roja I was the first Hindi film director to approach him with a project in 1994. It was for Shikhar with Jackie Shroff and Shah Rukh Khan which unfortunately did not materialise. When I met him for the first time I found him so divine and so simple. "Let us work first, then we'll talk about money," he told me then. It is strange now that he is the highest-paid music director in the history of the Indian music industry!

I love him both as a composer and as a friend. He is very sweet to talk to. The only thing is you talk and he listens! (Laughs.)"

He's divine and simple - by Subhash Ghai

" When we were working on Bombay, the mixing was being held up since the background score was not ready. For three days, Rahman sat in his studio from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., but nothing would work. He needed to deliver a score which would bind the film, but was having a creative block. There was some tension. He tried fiddling around with the theme he had composed, but nothing worked. So we would sit and chat for hours about things other than music.

We decided not to work on the fourth day. At 10 p.m. he invited me over to his place. We sat chatting again, but this time I felt there was something which had not been there on the other days. He said, "Let's go into the studio." The theme was played again. He said, "Let's put lyrics into it and let's have a song." That was absolutely brilliant. We had a lyrical rendition of the background score. Rahman must have been truly inspired to do that.

I remember another instance connected with Bombay. We had recorded Hariharan for the Uyire song picturised on Arvind Swamy and I was mixing it. As we had used a lot of electronics, I was cleaning up the track of all breathing sounds and 'dirt'. When Rahman heard it, the first thing he said was, "There is something missing." I told him about my cleaning exercise and he said, "What the song needs is a lot of air." So I put all the 'dirt' back, and truly the song had much more life especially since it was picturised against the beautiful forts and sea. With my cleaning I had taken the life out of the song! Even now I get goose bumps when I think about it.

Rahman is humble and very generous with money. He hates to see people suffer. I think his philosophy is that people should derive happiness from his music, even if it is a sad tune. He has this tremendous need to be perfect. Of course, we also differ in our views; I criticise his music if I feel it lacks his signature and this irritates him sometimes."

H. Sridhar, Sound Engineer

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1STKiZnB_Ps[/YOUTUBE]

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gW4ACpQUeyU[/YOUTUBE]