A. R. Rahman

Born in Chennai on January 6, 1967 as A. S. Dileep Kumar, he came to known as A.R.(Allah Rakha Rahman) after he converted to Islam. His father, who worked as a composer and conductor died when A.R.Rahman was young as a result of which A.R.Rahman had a difficult childhood. When he was just 11, he joined the troupe of famous South Indian composer Ilaiyaraaja. He later graduated from the Trinity College at Oxford University, with a degree in Western classical music. His lucky break came when he was asked by famous director to compose the music for his movie Roja in 1991. Roja's music went on to create waves and there was no looking back ever since.

Rahman notched up many other hits like Bombay, Kadhalan, Indira, Minsaara Kanavu, Muthu and Love Birds, Swades, Rang De Basanti and Guru. His music was very different from the rest of the pack. He made his debut in Bollywood with the film Rangeela, directed by Ram Gopal Varma. He has worked with all the leading director both in Bollywood as well as in the South Indian film industry. He has won international acclaim. He composed the score and soundtrack for the Chinese film Warriors of Heaven and Earth in 2003. The famous international composer Andrew Lloyd Webber hired Rahman to compose the music for his maiden stage production Bombay Dreams in 2002.

He is a recipient of the Padma Shri.

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