The music wizard, who made India proud, turns 41 today (January 6). The gifted
musician, has reached incredible heights at this young age.
Consider these facts: His first ever movie album Roja was listed in Time
magazines "Top 10 Movie Soundtracks of All Time". He has composed the score
for the Chinese film Warriors of Heaven and Earth (2003). He has scored music
for Hollywood movies like Provoked and co-scored for Elizabeth: The Golden
Age. He has received the prestigious Padma Sree award. He has now become an
important name in global music scenario.
This is definitely an amazing and incredible travel for a boy, who lost his
father at the age of nine. His family had to manage its living by renting out
musical equipments of the Shekhar.
The earlier days
Rahman had been served as a keyboardist and an arranger in bands such as
"Roots" and "Nemesis Avenue" with friends including Sivamani, embracing
numerous music genres. He played the keyboard and piano, in addition to, among
others, the synthesizer, the harmonium and the guitar. The young genius began
his training in music under Master Dhanraj. At the age of 11, he joined, as a
keyboardist, the troupe of composer Ilayaraja. The boy later played in the
orchestra of M. S. Viswanathan and Ramesh Naidu. He also accompanied the likes
of Zakir Hussain, Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan and L. Shankar on world tours and
obtained a scholarship to Trinity College of Music, where he graduated with a
degree in Western classical music. The young man with hunger for achieving
something started his own music recording and mixing studio, called the
Panchathan Record Inn in 1991. He started composing music for advertisements,
TV channels, and documentaries. The break came in 1992, when he was
approached by director Mani Ratnam to compose the score and soundtrack for
Roja. The dream debut declared to the entire world about the arrival of a
genius. It sealed his place as a unique musician. Young Rahman received the
prestigious Rajat Kamal award for Best Music Director at the National Film
Awards. It was the first time that a film composer receiving the award.
Awards pour in
Rahmans dream run continued and awards became a routine for him. He got
National Awards for three more times after Roja, for the films Minsaara
Kanavu (1997), Lagaan (2002) and Kannathil Muthamittal (2003), the most
ever by any composer. He gave distinctive musical scores for number of films
like Bombay, Kadhalan, Indira, Jeans, Muthu, Indian, Mudhalvan
Kandukondein Kandukondein, Rhythm and Love Birds. His latest works in
Tamil, Sivaji and Azhagiya Tamil Magan too have created a lot of sensation.
Rahman has also made distinctive mark in Bollywood. He made his debut in
Rangeela, directed by Ram Gopal Varma. He followed it up with many super hit
scores for films including Dil Se and Taal. The sales of these albums
created new records in the musical industry. Now the magical musician is
working on Chamki Chameli and Jodhaa Akbar set for release in 2008, along
with Hindi version of Tamil blockbuster "Ghajini". Rahmans versatility in
classical, folk, jazz, reggae, soft rock and other styles make his works so
special that people go mad over his music. He is well versed in various genres
of music including Carnatic music, Western classical, Hindustani and the
Qawwali. His scores have a variety covering all these genres. The way he
experiments with sound is something unprecedented in Indian musical scenario.
He has also made many experiments with various kinds of voices.
Global recognition
In 2002, he composed his maiden stage production Bombay Dreams (2002)
following a commission from famous musical theatre composer Andrew Lloyd
Webber. Furthermore, Rahman, along with the Finnish folk music band Värttinä,
composed the music for The Lord of the Rings theatre production. He composed
the piece "Raga's Dance" for Vanessa Mae's album Choreography (2004). In the
last six years, he has performed in three successful world tours of his
concerts to audiences in Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, Dubai, UK, Canada, the
US (Hollywood Bowl and 3d tour) and India. A two-disc soundtrack, Introducing
A. R. Rahman, (2006) featuring 25 pieces he composed from his Tamil film scores
was released in May 2006.
Inspiring the millions
Though he is liked by youth very much, the older generation too is enthralled
by his creativity. He made the entire nation proud when he came up with his
album Vande Matharam in 1997, India's 50th anniversary of independence. It
wont be an exaggeration to say that the album rekindled the feeling of freedom
struggle and a deep sense of patriotism. He did the same magic when he released
him Jana Gana Mana album last year. He has utilised the great voices and
instrumental artists of India Today to bring out the feeling of worshiping our
beloved motherland.
IndiaGlitz wishes this amazing man, who can even be considered for the
highest civilian award Bharath Rathna, with many more successes and honors.
Listen to AR. Rahman's Birthday Special!
Watch AR. Rahman's Birthday Special!
http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/35710.html
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