Popularly referred to as the “The Mozart Of Madras,” music composer and singer A R Rahman, celebrated his 51st yesterday and completed 25 years in the industry last year.
Rahman is not just a name but a musical phenomenon. The musical genius made his debut into Indian cinema in 1992 with Mani Ratnam’s Roja. It’s been 25 years since then and there has been no stopping for the Oscar-winning musician who has soared high in his career with sheer hard work and dedication.
Apart from his Oscar, Rahman has also been bestowed with two of India’s highest national civilian honours for his contribution to music, in addition to several other awards including four Indian National Film Awards and 25 Filmfare Awards.
In an exclusive interview with leading Bollywood tabloid Pinkvilla, Rahman mapped out his musical and Bollywood journer. He said, “I was always surrounded by music. It was my mother who realised it and my father set up all the musical instruments for me. My mother has been my support system since my father passed away and she blindly believed in my talent and was sure that I will do well in the line of music.”
Being one of the few musicians to have experimented with various genres, Rahman said, “I have worked with different genres – be it devotional or film music, but the basis of everything was already embedded. Music has evolved in years and I still struggle at times which is why my process is a little slower than the others.”
On critics and people who comment that Rahman’s time is “over,” the musician expressed, “I’ve been hearing people doubt my music since my second movie. In a way, if you lose the conviction in yourself, you lose the confidence of delivering things right. All these comments are coming from a judgmental point of view.”
“Everybody wants you to be the way they think you should be. They are not my parents to tell me what am I supposed to do, but I still respect them. I am very proud of my 25 years in the industry and I did things which I didn’t ever imagine: producing music, writing a film and many more,” he added.
One the occasion of his birthday and his silver jubilee in the Bollywood film industry, we decided to compile ten our most favourite songs by the music maestro.
1- Chaiyya Chaiyya – Dil Se
2- Kun Faya Kun – Rockstar
3- Khwaja Mere Khwaja – Jodhaa Akbar
4- Lukka Chuppi – Rang De Basanti
5- Ishq Bina – Taal
6- Maahi Ve – Highway
7- Jai Ho – Slumdog Millionaire
8- Raanjhanaa – Raanjhanaa
9- Agar Tum Saath Ho – Tamasha
10- Tu Hi Re – Bombay
