Mozart of Madras

On a boring Sunday afternoon, as I sat daydreaming, I ended up listening to songs from the films ‘Roja’, ’Taal’, ‘Bombay’ ‘Rang De Basanti’ and ‘Rockstar’. The alluring realm of music had drawn me into a new space. Then I realized the power of music, as an uplifting tool in our lives. However, the other thing that dragged my attention was that I finally found my role model, an answer to the question that I had pondered about - AR Rahman. He is a super successful composer of music, producer, performer, songwriter and philanthropist.

Allah Rakkha Rahman, known as AR Rehman, is a person who needs no introduction and has so many feathers in his cap. His is the first name that springs to mind when we consider unique styles, captivating melodies and modern paths of fusion. His music is everlasting. Even now, ‘Chaiya Chaiya’ from ‘Dil Se’ cannot stop you from swinging and his album ‘Vande Mataram’ still gives Indians goosebumps because of the powerful patriotism that inspires everyone. It is through his versatility and hard work that he has produced successful commercial soundtracks and worked with musical luminaries like Zakir Hussain, Gulzar and Javed Akhtar. The musical journey of Rahman is remarkable, from the melancholy and haunting melodies of ‘Bombay’ to the humour and joy of ‘Lagaan.’

Who is AR Rehman? He was a practicing Hindu and his name was A.S. Dileep Kumar. At age 23, he converted to Islam with other members of his family, changing his name to Allah Rakha Rahman (AR Rahman). He is said to have converted because, until that point his career in music was not doing very well. He went to a Muslim dargah and prayed for success and his career took off after that. He was so moved that he decided to convert to Islam along with his family. The new name he took on was Allah Rakha Rahman.

AR Rahman has often been described as the ‘Mozart of Madras’. He established an advanced studio there and named it Panchathan Record Inn, to unite ‘music’ with ‘technology’. Since his infancy, he has been musically interested and has been training in Carnatic, Western classical, Hindustani and even Qawwali music. He has also mastered the piano, synthesizer, harmonium, harp, guitar and other musical instruments..

His list of honours in a long career of over two decades include the Academy Award, the Grammy Award, and the National Film Award. In 2008, he won as Oscar for Slumdog Millionaire. He also has a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, six National Film Awards, 15 Film Fare Awards and 17 South FilmFare Awards under his belt. In 2010, the Indian Government presented him with the third highest civil honour - the Padma Bhushan. At the 81st Academy Awards he won two Oscars, which made him (at that time) just the third Indian to get the Academy Award for Best Original Score and Best Original Song.

Tamil fans and commentators call AR Rahman ‘Isai Puyal’, which means ‘Music Storm’, a term that accurately depicts his enigma and influence. Over the years, India has produced several renowned composers like Naushad, R.D. Burman, Shankar-Jaikishen, Ilaiyaraaya and so many others. The major distinction is that Rahman has won considerable worldwide recognition and has transited from India to the West and has taken the subcontinent’s music to the the world. He remembers listening to Jim Reeves and The Carpentersand his greatest success came when he gave music for Roja in 1992. It was an instant smash, as Rahman’s music stormed the country and launched his personal journey to several awards and worldwide fame. In addition to being committed to music, Rahman is engaged in a variety of philanthropic activities, including ‘Save the Children’ and is a global ambassador for the “Stop TB” campaign, a WHO effort.

He paid homage to his mother at the 81st Academy Award, saying: “It’s a Hindi line, ‘Mere paas maa hai’, which means: ‘Even if I have nothing, I have my mother’ and won everybody’s hearts.

Besides his musical brilliance, he is very down-to-earth and always desires to be different. AR Rahman is a quite shy person but in these past years, he has been uniquely risky and has gained a wider network of fans. His hard efforts and long-term patience certainly worked and his finest work still has to come.

Being an avid music fan, I can simply conclude that AR Rahman is my role model in life, a musical legend and an inspiration to millions. We can give credit to his legacy by calling him the King of Bollywood music. Hence, definitely, we will all continue to hum his tunes and melodies for many years to come.