A.R. Rahman, the maestro of Madras, is a globally celebrated musician who has brought immense pride to India. His fusion of Eastern and Western musical styles has truly bridged continents. This post delves into the life and career of this iconic figure.

Wiki/Biography

A. R. Rahman was born on January 6, 1967 (age 57 as of 2024), in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. He completed his schooling at Padma Seshadri Bal Bhavan, Chennai, and furthered his education at Madras Christian College. A scholarship took him to Trinity College of Music, Oxford University, UK. He converted to Islam, changing his name from A. S. Dileep Kumar to A. R. Rahman (Allahrakka Rahman). His family faced hardship after his father’s early death when Rahman was just 9. This early responsibility shaped his life. He grew up in a joint family and always showed a fascination with electronic gadgets, particularly musical instruments.

He started earning money playing his father’s keyboard, working with notable figures like Ilaiyaraaja and Raj–Koti. Despite excelling in his board exams (first division) and aiming to become a computer engineer, life’s challenges led him to follow his father’s footsteps, training in music under Master Dhanraj. His first salary? A mere 50 Indian rupees for operating a record player.

Physical Appearance

• Height (approx.): 5′ 5″
• Eye Color: Brown
• Hair Color: Black

Family, Caste & Wife

A. R. Rahman is the son of R. K. Shekhar (a music composer) and Kareema Beegum (née Kasturi Shekhar). He has three sisters: A. R. Reihana, Fathima Rafiq, and Ishrath Qadri. The family converted to Islam in 1989, reportedly following a sister’s recovery from a severe illness. He married Saira Banu in an arranged marriage. They have two daughters, Khatija and Rahima, and a son, Ameen. Saira and Rahman divorced in November 2024.

Career

Rahman’s career began with the band Roots (1984-88). Concurrently, he played keyboards for numerous Kannada films. He then joined the rock band “Nemesis Avenue,” working as a producer-arranger and performing at the “Jive Live” concert. From 1987, he composed ad jingles, creating around 300 in five years—his first being for Alwyn’s watches. He also collaborated on the album “Colours” with renowned musicians like Shankar, Sivamani, and Zakir Hussain.

In 1991, he met director Mani Ratnam, leading to his breakthrough with the film “Roja” (1992). His success soared, selling millions of cassettes and records. He continued his musical growth, training in various classical styles (Hindustani, Carnatic, Qawwali, and Western classical) under esteemed gurus. He created the album “Vande Mataram” in 1997 to celebrate 50 years of Indian independence – Sony Music’s first album with a South Asian artist.

His music transcended regional boundaries, moving from Tamil to Hindi and English films, achieving global recognition. He scored “Elizabeth: The Golden Age” (2007) with Craig Armstrong and, notably, composed “Jai Ho” for “Slumdog Millionaire” (2008), winning him an Oscar. His work extended to the Netflix series “Daughters of Destiny.” Beyond music, he’s a global ambassador for WHO’s “Stop TB Partnership,” promotes “Save the Child” in India, and is the first brand ambassador of Sikkim and a cultural ambassador for Seychelles.

Rahman’s directorial debut was the virtual reality film “Le Musk” (2017). “Harmony With A. R. Rahman” (Amazon Prime Video, 2018) showcased India’s diverse musical heritage.

Controversies

Rahman faced controversy for composing music for the biopic “Muhammad: The Messenger of God.” He also received a demand notice for service tax evasion in 2019, a case that went to the Madras High Court and was dismissed in 2023. Rumors of him dating his bassist, Mohini Dey, following his divorce, were later denied by Dey.

Awards

Rahman has received numerous awards, including multiple National Film Awards, an Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Original Score and Best Original Song (“Jai Ho”), a BAFTA, and a Grammy. He’s also been honored with the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.

Favourites

Here’s a glimpse of A.R. Rahman’s preferences:

Property/Assets, Salary, Net Worth, Signature

Rahman owns a bungalow in Kodambakkam, Chennai. His salary is estimated at ?5-8 crore per film, and his net worth is around ?163 crores.

Facts

• Enjoys playing the keyboard in his free time.
• Founded the KM College of Music and Technology in Chennai.
• Received a Christmas card and dinner invitation from President Barack Obama.
• Shares his birthday (January 6) with his son, Ameen.
• Openly discussed contemplating suicide until age 25 and disliking his birth name.
• Has a street named after him in Markham, Ontario, Canada.
• Prefers composing music at night.
• Co-founded the social media platform “Qyuki” with Shekhar Kapur.
• Participated in a fast to support the Jallikattu protests.
• The soundtrack of “Roja” was listed among TIME’s “10 Best Soundtracks” of all time.
• Composed music for over 120 films.
• His mother played a role in his marriage.
• Has a dedicated recording studio with a “no shoes” policy.
• His son, Ameen, sang in the Hollywood film “Couples Retreat.”
• Received honorary doctorates from Anna University and Berklee College of Music.
• Honored in Limca Book of Records.
• Collaborated with will.i.am.
• Established “The Panchathan Record Inn & AM Studios.”
• Addressed concert mismanagement issues in Chennai in 2023.
• Had a past disagreement with singer Suresh Wadkar.
• Discussed financial struggles during his studio setup.

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