A R Rahman - Biography

A R Rahman’s tryst with music began almost since infancy. His debut with Roja left no doubt in anyone’s mind that he could work magic with music. Getting into the groove Allah Rakha Rahman was born as A.S.Dileep Kumar on 6th January 1966 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He was born into a Christian family that converted to Islam. Music was a big part of growing up as Rahman struck the keys of a piano when he was as young as four. His father R.K. Shekhar was a music composer and a conductor for Malayalam movies. His father passed away when he was just nine and Rahman took to earning a living through music when he was eleven as a keyboard player in Ilaiyaraaja’s troupe. His wife Saira Bano and he have three children Khatija, Rahim and Aman. He plays the guitar, synthesizer, keyboard, piano and harmonium. He trained under Master Dhanraj; founded the rock group Nemesis Avenue; was part of the orchestras of Ramesh Naidu, M.S.Viswanathan; went on world tours with Zakir Hussain, Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan and L.Shankar. He studied Western Classical Music at the Trinity College of Music, London after winning a scholarship.    Social Rahman He was the Global Ambassador of Stop TB in association with WHO in 2004. He used music to reach out when he joined hands with Cat Stevens and Yusuf Islam for “Indian Ocean” following the 2006 Tsunami; with Don Asian and Mukhtar Sahota for “We Can Make It Better”. He also works with Save the Children, a charity. On top of the game 1987 He entered the world of advertising, penning jingles. 1989 Panchathan Recording Inn, the start of Rahman’s music recording and mixing studio. 1992 He got his big break to make music for movies with Mani Rathnam’s Roja (1992). Picking from the lot that followed: Thiruda Thiruda (1993), Kadhalan (1994), Bombay (1995), Rangeela (1995), Fire (1996), earth (1998) , Water (2005), Minsaara Kanavu (1997), Dil Se (1998), Taal (1999), Alaipayuthey (2000), Lagaan (2001), Saathiya (2002), Boys (2003), Rang De Basanti (2006), Elizabeth – The Golden Age (2007), Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008), Ghajini (2008) and Slumdog Millionaire (2008). 1997 He released his album Vande Mataram, celebrating India’s 50th year of independence. He also collaborated with music maestros to bring together Jana Gana Mana. 1999 He was part of Michael Jackson & Friends Concert in Munich, Germany. 2002 His first stage production Bombay Dreams, a commission from the composer Andrew Lloyd Webber had the world crooning Shaka Laka Baby. 2004 Composed music for the theater version of Lord of the Rings alongside Christopher Nightingale and Varttina, a Finnish group. 2006 KM Music, his music label, saw light. And the release of his album Introducing A.R.Rahman that was a compilation of his Tamil movie numbers. Awards galore 2009 The first Indian to win the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score for Slumdog Millionaire. 2008 Critics Choice Award for Best Composer. Winner of Padma Shri by the Government of India. Filmfare Awards – Eleven times winner. Filmfare South Awards – Eleven times winner. 1995 Mauritius National Award and Malaysian Award National Award Winner for Best Music Director for the movies Roja (1992), Minsara Kanavu (1997), Kannathil Muthamittal (2002) and Lagaan (2001). 2009  AR Rahman made history by winning a double Oscar for Best Original Music Score and Best Song (Jai Ho). 2009 & onwards, Rahman’s scores with Dilli 6, Puli, Raavan, Blue, Eight By Ten and Endhiran.