A. R. Rahman
Indian composer known for Tamil and Hindi film scores.
Allah Rakha Rahman, born A. S. Dileep Kumar on 6 January 1967, is an Indian composer, producer, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and philanthropist. He is widely known for his work in Indian cinema, especially Tamil and Hindi films, and has also worked on international projects. His shelf of honors includes seven National Film Awards, two Oscars, two Grammys, a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, seven Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, fifteen Filmfare Awards, and eighteen Filmfare Awards South. In 2010, India’s government gave him the Padma Bhushan, the country’s third-highest civilian honor.
Rahman set up his own studio, Panchathan Record Inn, and his film-scoring career took off in the early 1990s with the Tamil film *Roja*. He went on to compose for many Tamil films, including Mani Ratnam’s politically charged *Bombay*, the urban *Kaadhalan*, *Thiruda Thiruda*, and S. Shankar’s debut *Gentleman*. His first Hollywood score, for the comedy *Couples Retreat* (2009), won a BMI Award. His music for *Slumdog Millionaire* (2008) won him Best Original Score and Best Original Song (for “Jai Ho”) at the 81st Academy Awards, and he also took home two Grammys in 2010 for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album and Best Song Written for Visual Media. Known as “Isai Puyal” (Musical Storm) and the “Mozart of Madras,” Rahman is also a humanitarian, donating and raising money for various causes. Stanford University honored him in 2006 for his global musical contributions. In 2008, the Rotary Club of Madras gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award. *Time* magazine listed him among the world’s 100 most influential people in 2009. He received honorary doctorates from Berklee College of Music in 2014 and Aligarh Muslim University. In 2017, he made his directorial and writing debut with the film *Le Musk*. In 2024, he was named Honorary President of Trinity Laban.
Born Dileep Kumar in Madras, Tamil Nadu, on 6 January 1967, Rahman’s father, R. K. Shekhar, was a film composer and conductor for Malayalam films. Rahman started piano at age four and helped his father in the studio, playing keyboard. When Rahman was nine, his father died, and the family survived by renting out his musical equipment. Raised by his mother, Kareema (born Kashturi), Rahman attended Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan but often missed class and failed exams because he had to work.
Quick Facts
- Other Names
- ARR
- Birth Name
- Arunachalam Shekhar Dileep Kumar
- Birth Date
- 6 January 1967
- Birth Place
- Madras, Madras State, India
- Education
- Trinity Laban (Classical music)
- Occupation
- Record producer · composer · playback singer · songwriter
- Organization
- KM Music Conservatory
- Works
- Discography · Filmography
- Office
- Panchathan Record Inn and AM Studios
- Children
- 3, including Ameen and Khatija
- Father
- R. K. Shekhar
- Relatives
- A. R. Reihana (sister)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Allah Rakha Rahman was born Dileep Kumar in Madras, Tamil Nadu, on 6 January 1967. His father, R. K. Shekhar, was a film score composer and conductor for Malayalam films. Rahman began studying piano at age four and assisted his father in the studio. After his father's death when Rahman was nine, the rental of his father's musical equipment provided the family's income. Raised by his mother, Kareema, Rahman had to work to support his family, leading him to routinely miss classes and fail exams. He later dropped out of school to pursue a career as a full-time musician. Rahman was a keyboard player and arranger for bands such as Roots and founded the Chennai-based rock group Nemesis Avenue. He mastered the keyboard, piano, synthesiser, harmonium, and guitar. He began early musical training under Master Dhanraj, and at age 11 began playing in the orchestra of Malayalam composer M. K. Arjunan. He obtained a scholarship from Trinity College London to the Trinity College of Music.
Rahman converted to Islam with the members of his family in 1989 at age 23. He changed his name from Dileep Kumar; a Hindu astrologer suggested the names 'Abdul Rahman' and 'Abdul Rahim,' and Rahman connected with the former. His mother later added 'Allah Rakha' to his name after it came to her in a dream. Rahman's film-scoring career began during the early 1990s with the Tamil film Roja. He went on to score several songs for Tamil language films, including Mani Ratnam's Bombay, Kaadhalan, Thiruda Thiruda, and S. Shankar's debut film Gentleman. His score for his first Hollywood film, Couples Retreat (2009), won the BMI Award for Best Score. His music for Slumdog Millionaire (2008) earned him Best Original Score and Best Original Song at the 81st Academy Awards. He was also awarded Best Compilation Soundtrack Album and Best Song Written for Visual Media at the 2010 Grammy Awards.
Reader's Guide
A. R. Rahman is a central figure in modern Indian film music, bridging regional Tamil cinema with global audiences. His career began with the Tamil film Roja, which won him a National Film Award and established his signature blend of Western classical, Carnatic, folk, jazz, reggae, and rock. He expanded into Bollywood with Rangeela and later achieved international recognition with Slumdog Millionaire, winning two Academy Awards. Rahman's in-house studio Panchathan Record Inn became one of Asia's most advanced recording facilities. He has received numerous honors, including the Padma Bhushan in 2010, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rotary Club of Madras in 2008, and inclusion on the Time list of the world's 100 most influential people in 2009. He has also been a humanitarian and philanthropist, donating and raising money for various causes. In 2014, he received an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music, and in 2024, he was named Honorary President of Trinity Laban. His versatility and technological innovation have made him a lasting influence on film scoring worldwide.
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