On January 6, 2026, the "Mozart of Madras," A.R. Rahman, celebrates his 59th birthday, marking another year in his extraordinary musical journey. Born A. S. Dileep Kumar in Chennai, India, Rahman's life has been immersed in music since childhood. His father, R. K. Shekhar, was a music composer and conductor, exposing Rahman to the world of film scores early on.
Tragedy struck young Rahman when he lost his father at the age of nine, forcing him to support his family by renting out his father's musical equipment. He began working as a keyboard player for leading composers and creating music for advertising jingles in the 1980s. In his early twenties, he converted to Islam and adopted the name Allah Rakha Rahman.
Rahman's film-scoring career took off in the early 1990s with the Tamil film Roja. His debut was actually the Malayalam film Yodha in 1992. Roja was a massive success and won him the National Film Award for Best Music Direction. Rahman redefined contemporary Indian film music by blending Indian classical music with electronic music, world music, and traditional orchestral arrangements.
His work has earned him numerous accolades, including six National Film Awards, two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA Award, and a Golden Globe Award. In 2010, the Indian government awarded him the Padma Bhushan, the nation's third-highest civilian award. Rahman's global impact extends beyond awards. He is one of the best-selling music artists in India and is featured on the 'List of Best-Selling Music Artists of the World'. He is known for introducing 7.1 surround sound technology to South Indian films. A street in Markham, Ontario, Canada, was named in his honor in November 2013.
A.R. Rahman's top songs include:
- "Roja Janaki"
- "Bombay Theme"
- "Chaiyya Chaiyya"
- "Dil Se Re"
- "Taal Se Taal Mila"
- "Khwaja Mere Khwaja"
- "Maa Tujhe Salaam"
- "Jai Ho"
- "Kun Faya Kun"
- "Enna Sona"
Rahman's journey from earning Rs 100-200 per day to becoming a global icon is truly inspirational. His music transcends boundaries and languages, blending classical Indian music with global appeal. On his 59th birthday, the world celebrates the musical genius of A.R. Rahman and his contributions to the world of music.
