A. R. Rahman
Background information
Birth name
A. S. Dileep Kumar
Also known asAllah Rakha Rahman
Born
January 6, 1966
Origin
Madras, Tamil Nadu, India
Genre(s)
Film scoreSoundtrackTheatreWorld Music
Occupation(s)
Film composerVocalistKeyboardist
Instrument(s)
Keyboards, vocals, Other
Years active
1991 – present
Website
Official Website
Official Website
Allah Rakha Rahman (Tamil: ஏ.ஆர்.ரஹ்மான்); born on January 6, 1966 as A. S. Dileep Kumar in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India) is a composer, best known for composing film scores and soundtracks.
Contents
[hide]
1 Early years
2 Awards and nominations
3 Partial discography
3.1 Films
4 Non-film
5 Personal life
6 Trivia
7 See also
8 References
9 External links
Early years
Rahman is the only son of R. K. Sekhar, who was a composer, arranger and conductor for Malayalam films. His father died when Rahman was nine years old, and his family used to rent out musical equipment to make ends meet, something they found very difficult. During those hard times, a Sufi (Muslim) saint cured Rahman's sister of an unexplainable illness. This led Dileep to convert to Islam, changing his name to Allah Rakha Rahman.
At the age of 11, Rahman joined the troupe of Indian composer Ilaiyaraaja as a keyboardist. He later played on the orchestra of M. S. Viswanathan and Ramesh Naidu, and accompanied Zakir Hussain and Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan on world tours. The experience allowed him to obtain a scholarship to Trinity College at Oxford University, where he received a degree in Western classical music.
In 1991, Rahman began his own studio (attached to his house), called the Panchathan Record Inn. He initially composed music for use in advertisements, the title music of Indian Television channels and music in documentaries, among other projects. Rahman was, at first, hesitant about composing music for the Indian film industry primarily because most film makers at the time used songs as "fillers" - a means by which the audience was given a break from the movie's plot. In 1991 he was approached by film director Mani Ratnam, who offered Rahman the job as composer for his upcoming Tamil language film Roja, at a price of Rs. 25,000. Rahman accepted, and the movie's superhit debut made him a household name in Tamil Nadu virtually overnight and led Rahman to receive the Rajat Kamal award for best music director at the Indian National Film Awards, the first time ever by a debutant. Rahman has since then gone on to win the award 3 more times (for Minsaara Kanavu (Electric Dreams, Tamil) in 1997, Lagaan (Tax, Hindi) in 2002 and Kannathil Muthamittal (A Peck on the Cheek, Tamil) in 2003), the most ever by any composer.
When Rahman arrived on the Indian muzic scene with his first film Roja, he brought about a transformation of film music. Roja was a massive hit, and Rahman followed it up with a number of other extremely popular films, including Bombay, Rangeela, Dil Se and Taal. Rangeela, directed by Ram Gopal Varma, marked Rahman's debut in Hindi films. The huge sales of these albums prompted movie producers to take film music more seriously.
Lord Lloyd-Webber with A. R. Rahman
Rahman's work is also unique in the fact that his collaborations with a few film directors have always resulted in hugely successful albums. In particular, he has worked with Mani Ratnam on eight movies (until 2004) (see list of movies by Mani Ratnam featuring A R Rahman), all of which have been musical superhits. Also notable is his collaboration with the director S. Shankar (Gentleman, Kadhalan, Indian, Jeans, Mudhalvan, Nayak, Boys and Sivaji).
He made an album Vande Mataram (1996) on India's national song, singing the title song on the album. He followed it up with an album called Jana gana mana, a huge conglomeration of performances by all the leading exponents/artists of Indian classical music.
Andrew Lloyd Webber, a well known composer of musicals, was impressed with Rahman's unique style and therefore hired him to compose his maiden stage production Bombay Dreams (2002). This play was well received in England and opened him up to new vistas in Hollywood. Furthermore, Rahman, along with the Finnish folk music band Värttinä, composed the music for The Lord of the Rings theatre production, which opened in Toronto on March 23, 2006.
The following article was written in TIME magazine about Rahman's achievements. His first movie album Roja was listed in TIME magazine's "Top 10 Movie Soundtracks of All Time".[1]
In addition to influencing western audiences, Rahman also impressed eastern audiences with his music so much that he was tapped by Chinese director He Ping to compose the score and soundtrack for the Chinese film Warriors of Heaven and Earth in 2003.[2] The music of this film was very much appreciated in Asia and in India.
On May 23rd 2006, a two-disc album soundtrack, titled Introducing A.R. Rahman, was released by Times Square Records, featuring 25 songs he composed from Tamil film soundtracks spanning 1993-2001. The compillation soundtrack was well received. In addition to this, Rahman performed at the Hollywood Bowl amphitheatre in July of 2006, with Indian singers Sukhwinder Singh, Hariharan and Sadhana Sargam, as well as American performing groups Raagapella and Global Rhythms, to a sell out crowd.
His latest work includes Bose - The Forgotten Hero, Swades, Mangal Pandey - The Rising, Rang De Basanti, Sillunu Oru Kaadhal and Guru. He is currently working on Shankar's next venture Sivaji: The Boss, and on one of Shyam Benegal's next ventures, Chamki Chameli, which is set for release in 2007. Recent news is that three of his compositions, two from Rang De Basanti and one from 'Water made into the list of oscar entries for best composition in which there are totally 56 compositions.
Rahman is a recipient of the Padma Shri and is known around the world as the "Mozart from Madras".[3]
Awards and nominations
For a full list of awards and nominations, see List of A. R. Rahman awards and accolades.
Partial discography
Films
YEAR
Tamil
Telugu
Hindi
Malayalam
Marathi
English
1992
Roja
Roja
Roja (1994)
Roja
Roja
1992
Ashokan (1993)
Yoddha (1995)
Dharam Yodha (1993)
Yodha
1993
Uzhavan
1993
Thiruda Thiruda
Donga Donga
Chor Chor (1996)
1993
Pudhiya Mugam
Padmavyuham
Vishwa Vidhatha (1997)
1993
Gentleman
Gentleman
The Gentleman
1994
Vandicholai Chinnaraasu
Bobili Paparayudu
1994
Super Police
Super Police
Khel Khiladi Ka (1996)
1994
Pudhiya Mannargal
1994
Pavithra
1994
May Madham
Hridayaanjali (1999)
1994
Kizhakku Cheemayile
Palnati Pourusham
1994
Karuththamma
Vanitha/Osey Krishnamma
1994
Kadhalan
Premikudu (1995)
Humse Hai Muqabla
1994
Duet
Duet
Tu Hi Mera Dil
1995
Indira
Indira
Priyanka
1995
Bombay
Bombay (1995)
Bombay (1995)
1994
Manitha Manitha
Gang Master
1995
Rangeela
Rangeli
Rangeela
1995
Muthu
Muthu (1995)
Muthu Maharaja (2001)
1996
Love Birds
Love Birds (1997)
Love Birds (1997)
1996
Indian
Bharateeyudu
Hindustani
1996
Kadhal Desam
Prema Desam
Duniya Dilwalon Kiii
1996
Fire
Fire
1996
Mr Romeo
Mr Romeo
Mr Romeo (1997)
1996
Anthimantharai
1997
Minsara Kanavu
Merupu Kalalu
Sapnay
1997
Iruvar
Iddaru
1997
Ottam
50-50
Daud: Fun On The Run
1997
Ratchagan
Rakshakudu
1997
Mona Lisa
Kabhi Na Kabhi
1997
Vishwa Vidhaata
1998
Jeans
Jeans
Jeans
1998
Uyire
Prematho..
Dil Se..
1998
1947/Earth
1998
Doli Saja Ke Rakhna
1999
En Swasa Kaatre
Premante Pranamistha
1999
Jodi
Jodi
1999
Padayappa
Narasimha
1999
Taalam
Taal
1999
Thakshak
1999
Kadhalar Dhinam
Premikula Roju
Dil Hi Dil Mein
1999
Pukar
1999
Sangamam
1999
Taj Mahal
1999
Mudhalvan
Oke Okkadu
Nayak (2001)
2000
Alai Payuthey
Sakhi
Saathiya (2002)
2000
Fiza (1 out of 8 tracks)
2000
Kandukondain Kandukondain
Priyuralu Pilichindi
2000
Rhythm
Jeevithamma Chirunavva
2000
Thenali
Tenali
2000
Zubeidaa
2001
One 2 Ka 4
2001
Love You Hamesha
2001
Star
2001
Lagaan
2001
Parthale Paravasam
Paravasam
2001
Alli Arjuna
2002
Kannathil Muthamittal
Amrutha
2002
The Legend of Bhagat Singh
2002
Baba
Baba
2002
Kadhal Virus
2003
Udhaya
2003
Parasuram
Police Kartavyam
2003
Boys
Boys
2003
2003
Enakku 20 Unakku 18
Nee Manasu Naaku Telusu
2003
Kangalal Kaidhu Sei
2003
Tehzeeb
2004
Lakeer
2004
Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities
2004
Aayitha Ezhuthu
Yuva
Yuva
2004
New
Naani
2004
Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa (3 out of 8 Tracks)
2004
Swades
2004
Kisna - The Warrior Poet (6 out of 16 tracks)
2005
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero
2005
The Rising - Ballad of Mangal Pandey
2005
Anbe Aaruyire
2005
Water
2006
Rang De Basanti
2006
Sillunu Oru Kaadhal
Nuvvu Nenu Prema
2006
Varalaru - The Story of the Godfather
2007
Guru
Gurukanth
Guru
2007
Akbar-Jodha
2006
Provoked
2007
Sivaji: The Boss
Sivaji: The Boss
2007
London Dreams
2007
Sakkarakatti
2007
Lajjo
2007
Exclusion
2007
Azhagiya Tamil Magan
2008
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Note: "Year" indicates the year the earliest version of any multi-language movie was released. Movies with the year next to the title dictates that the film was either dubbed or released later than the original version of the movie.
The films Nayak: The Real Hero (2001, Hindi) and Saathiya (2002, Hindi) were remakes of the films Mudhalvan (1999, Tamil) and Alai Payuthey (2000, Tamil), respectively. The soundtracks were reused with changes and additional songs.
A. R. Rahman has also composed the score for the film Warriors of Heaven and Earth/Tian di ying xiong (2003, Mandarin)
He has contributed one song to Fiza (1999, Hindi).
The soundtracks of the films Roja (1992) and Gentleman (1993), were also released as instrumental versions.
The following films had soundtracks reused from previous albums:
Vishwa Vidhaata (1997, Hindi) from Pudhiya Mugam (1993, Tamil)
Love You Hamesha (2001, Hindi) from May Madham (1994, Tamil)
Lakeer (2004, Hindi) from Rhythm (2000, Tamil - 3 songs), with 3 new songs added
Jodi (1999, Tamil) from Doli Saja Ke Rakhna (1999, Hindi), with 3 new songs added
Star (2001, Tamil) from Thakshak (1999, Hindi - 3 songs) and 1947/Earth (1998, Hindi - 1 song), with 1 new song added
Thakshak (1999, Hindi) from En Swaasa Kaatre (1999, Tamil) 1 song (Jumbalaka), with changes in vocals and instrumentation
Pukar (1999, Hindi) from En Swaasa Kaatre (1999, Tamil) 1 song ('Kay Sera Sera' from 'Nayagara'), with changes in vocals and instrumentation
Song "Dekho Na" from movie Swades (2004, Hindi) reused from the song "Baba Kichchu Tha" from movie Baba (2002, Tamil) with different vocals and instrumentation
The soundtrack of Nicolas Cage's Lord Of War (2005), features the instrumental piece "Bombay Theme" from the Tamil film Bombay, directed by Mani Ratnam.
The soundtrack of Spike Lee's Inside Man (2006), features the song Chaiyya Chaiyya from the Hindi film Dil Se, directed by Mani Ratnam.
Non-film
Return of the Thief of Baghdad (Yet to be released) (2003)
Deen Isai Maalai (1989) as AS Dilip Kumar
Andhi Maalai (1990}
Set Me Free (1991)
Vande Mataram (1997)
Jana Gana Mana (2000)
Bombay Dreams (2002) (Musical)
Ignited Minds (2003) (Unreleased but performed in live concert)
Raga's Dance (2004) (for Vanessa Mae's album called Choreography)
Pray for me, Brother (2005) (UN Theme song for poverty alleviation mission) (Unreleased but performed in live concerts)
Banyan Theme (2006) (Theme song for stage musical Netru, Indru, Naalai in aid of The Banyan, unreleased)
The Lord of the Rings theatre production (2006) (Stage Production)
Jana Gana Mana (2006) [1]
WorldSpace Signature Tune (2006) [2]
Airtel Tune (2006)
Personal life
Rahman (born Dileep Kumar) is the second among four children of R.K. Shekhar and Kareema Begum (Kasthuri). He has three sisters, Rehana (Kanchana), Talat (Bala) and Israth. He has three children - Khatija, Rahima and Roomi.
Trivia
He is thought to have sold 100 million records world-wide,[4] and sold over 200 million cassettes.[5]
Rights for his album Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000) are reported to have been sold for a sum of Rs.22 million.[6]
Referred to in the Daily Telegraph as the "Asian Mozart".
See also
Best selling music artists — World's top-selling music artists chart.
Music by A. R. Rahman
References
1. ^ Time.com. Top 10 Movie Soundtracks of All Time. Retrieved on 26 October 2006.
2. ^ Imdb.com. Warriors of Heaven and Earth. Retrieved on 26 October 2006.
3. ^ Time.com. Retrieved on 5 December 2006.
4. ^ BBC. Top Selling artists. Retrieved on 26 October 2006.
5. ^ Rediff. Top Selling artists. Retrieved on 26 October 2006.
6. ^ Rediff. Top Selling artists. Retrieved on 26 October 2006.
External links
Official site
A.R. Rahman
A.R. Rahman at the Internet Movie Database
arr4music : future offerings of A.R.Rahman
Time article on A R Rahman
A.R. Rahman: A Complete Biography
A.R. Rahman: A Complete Discography
The Official A.R. Rahman Fans Group
Comprehensive Photo Album
Rahman Times : An One Stop website for ARR Fans
Rahmania — A Fan Station
SL2UK: A.R. Rahman
Nilacharal: A.R. Rahman Profile
MSN Entertainment: A.R. Rahman Artist Information
The Legend, The Music by Raaja
A. R. Rahman latest news
A. R. Rahman profile
Watch A.R.Rahman Concerts-VIDEO
Categories: 1966 births 20th century classical composers 21st century classical composers Converts to Islam South Asian Muslims Indian film score composers Living people Padma Shri recipients Tamil people People from Chennai Indian film singers Indian male singers Indian Muslims Kollywood playback singers Bollywood playbacksingers
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This guy's music is actually techno-trash and anybody who knows a thing or two about composing digital music will vouch for that. Wonder why the rest of the world has not recognized him? Because in US/UK?Europe you have Zillions doing similar stuff like what he's doing.
IN THE COUNTRY OF THE BLIND, THE ONE-EYED MAN IS THE KING !!!
You can listen to some of his songs on this cool website I found:
http://www.hummaa.com/index.php
Cheerio.