Monday, September 9, 2013
ALLAH-RAKHA RAHMAN (born A. S. Dileep
Kumar, 6 January 1966)) is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, music
producer, musician, multi-instrumentalist and philanthropist. Described as
the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his
works are notable for integrating Eastern classical music with electronic
music sounds, world music genres and traditional orchestral arrangements.
He has won two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA Award,
a Golden Globe, four National Film Awards, fifteen Filmfare
Awards and thirteen Filmfare Awards South in addition to numerous
other awards and nominations. His extensive body of work for film and the stage
earned him the nickname "the Mozart of Madras" and several
Tamil commentators and fans have coined him the nickname Isai Puyal (English:
Music Storm).In 2009, Time placed Rahman in its list of World's
Most Influential People. The UK based World Music magazine Songlines named
him one of 'Tomorrow's World Music Icons' in August 2011.
Having set up his own in-house studio called Panchathan
Record Inn at Chennai, arguably one of Asia’s most sophisticated and
high-tech studios, Rahman's film scoring career began in the early 1990s with
the Tamil film Roja. Working in India's various film
industries, international cinema and theatre, Rahman is one of the
world's all-time top selling recording artists. In a notable career
spanning two decades, Rahman has garnered particular acclaim for redefining
contemporary Indian film music and thus contributing to the success of several
films. Rahman is currently one of the highest paid composers of the motion
picture industry. He has also become a notable humanitarian and philanthropist,
donating and raising money for beneficial causes and supporting charities.
A. R. Rahman
was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India to a musically affluent Mudaliar Tamil
family. His father R. K. Shekhar, was a film music composer and conductor
for Tamil as well as Malayalam films. Rahman used to assist his
father during recordings and play keyboard for the songs. Rahman lost
his father at the age of 9 and his family had to rent out his father's musical equipment
as their source of income. Rahman was raised by his mother Kareema (born
Kashturi). During these formative years, Rahman served as a keyboard
player and an arranger in bands such as "Roots", with childhood
friend and percussionist Sivamani, John Anthony, Suresh Peters, JoJo
and Raja. Rahman is the founder of the Chennai-based rock group,
"Nemesis Avenue". He mastered various music instruments
like Keyboard, Piano,Synthesizer, Harmonium and Guitar.
His curiosity in Synthesizer in particular, increased because, he says, it was
the "ideal combination of music and technology".
He began
early training in music under Master Dhanraj. At the age of 11, he started
playing musical instruments in the orchestra of Malayalam composer and a close
friend of Rahman's father, M. K. Arjunan. Soon he started working
with other composers such as M. S. Viswanathan,Ilaiyaraaja, Ramesh
Naidu, Raj-Koti and also accompanied Zakir Hussain, Kunnakudi
Vaidyanathan and L. Shankar on world tours and obtained a
scholarship with Trinity College, London, board of the Trinity
College of Music. Studying in Chennai, he graduated with graded
examinations and a diploma in Western classical music via the
college. He was introduced to Qadiri Islam when his younger
sister fell severely ill in 1984. Subsequently, Rahman along with other members
of his family converted to Islam, his mother's faith, in 1989, when he was 23
years old. He changed his name from R. S. Dileep Kumar to Allah Rakha Rahman
(A. R. Rahman).
He is
married to Saira Banu and has three children, Khatija, Rahima, and Ameen. Ameen
sings the track "NaNa" from Couples Retreat and his
daughter Khatija the track "Pudhiya Manidha" from Enthiran. Rahman is
the uncle of composer G. V. Prakash Kumar, who is the son of Rahman's
elder sister, A. R. Reihana. Prakash Kumar's first work in film was
singing on the Rahman composition "Chikku Bukku Rayile" from his
score to the 1993 film Gentleman. A. R.
Reihana debuted in film singing on the track "Vidai Kodu Engal
Naadae" from Kannathil Muthamittal and is also a music
director. Rahman's younger sister Fathima is in charge of his Music
conservatory in Chennai. The youngest Ishrath has her own music studio. A.
R. Rahman is brother-in-law of film actor Rahman.
An atheist through much of his childhood, in 1989 Rahman converted
to Islam, the religion of his mother's family. After the early death of his
father, his family went through hard times and Sufism had a great
influence on his mother and slowly on his family. During the 81st
Academy Awards ceremony, he paid tribute to his mother, saying "There
is a Hindi dialogue, mere pass ma hai, which means 'even if I have
got nothing I have my mother here'." He also began to say, "Ella
pughazhum iraivanukke", in Tamil which literally means
"All praises dedicated to God". This is the direct translation of the
first sentence found in the Islamic holy book Quran. Rahman uttered it
prior to his speech at the 81st Academy Awards ceremony.
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