A. R. Rahman

A. R. Rahman is an Indian composer, lyricist, and music producer widely celebrated for his groundbreaking fusion of classical Indian music with global genres like electronic, world, and orchestral scores. Born as A. S. Dileep Kumar in Chennai, India, he converted to Islam and changed his name to Allah Rakha Rahman.

He began his journey in music at a young age, learning from his father and composing jingles for advertisements in his teens. His major breakthrough came with the soundtrack for the film Roja (1992), which captured both critical acclaim and public imagination, marking the start of a transformative career in Indian cinema.

Rahman’s range spans Bollywood hits, international films, and musical theatre. Notably, he composed for Baz Luhrmann's Slumdog Millionaire (2008), earning him two Academy Awards, two Golden Globes, and a BAFTA. Songs like “Jai Ho” became global sensations.

In addition to films, Rahman created the Broadway musical Bombay Dreams (2004) and worked on productions such as The Lord of the Rings stage adaptation. His music is known for emotional resonance, lush orchestration, and rhythmic innovation.

Rahman has been honored with numerous accolades: India's Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, multiple national film awards, and international recognition. He remains a prolific, boundary-crossing artist whose music embodies both spiritual depth and modern sensibility.