Biography of A.R.Rahman

Fundamental Facts:

Full Name: Allah Rakha Rahman.

Original Name: A. Sekhar Dileep Kumar.

Pet Names: Indian Mozart, Child Prodigy.

Date of Birth: Thursday, 6th of January, 1966.

Birth Place: Chennai.

Born and Brought up in: Chennai.

Religion: Born Hindu, converted to Islam in 1989.

Languages known: Tamil (mother tongue), Telugu, Malayalam, English and Hindi.

School: Mainly Padma Sesadree Balabhavan, but shifted often.

College: Madras Chiristian College (Drop out)

Formal Qualifications in Music: Professional training in Hindustani, Carnatic classical styles. Degree in Western

Classical Music from Trinity College London. Oxford University’s under scholarship.

Family Details:

Father: Late RK Sekhar, Malayalam music composer. Passed away in 1976.

Mother: Kasturi Sekhar (Now Kareema Begum), House wife

Siblings: 3 Sisters. Kanchana, Bala(Talath), Israth

Wife: Saira Banu (Arranged Marriage, 1995, Chennai)

Daughters: Kathija, Raheema.

Son: Roomi.

Debut As:

An Instrumentalist: 1979. In Ilaiyaraja’s troupe as a keyboard player.

A Music Arranger: 1983. Arranged music for Ilaiyaraja, Ramesh Naidu, Raj Koti and others.

A Jingle Composer: 1987. For Allwyn’s trendy watches, produced by: Isaac Thomas Kottukapally.

An Independent Musician: ‘Deen and Isai Maalai’, (1989, Tamil) Islamic Devotional Songs.

A Film Music Composer: ‘Roja’ (Tamil 1992).

A Vocalist: ‘Roja’ (Song: ‘Chinna Chinna Aasai’).

A Full Fledged Singer: ‘Bombay’ (Tamil 1994).

Loves: To experiment a lot.

Hates: Languages as a barrier for Music.

Believes in: Relentless labor, high enthusiasm and commitment.

Stresses on: Quality and Originality.

Attitude: Never say die!

Positive Quality: Down to earth!

Negative Quality: Does not take too much work!

Biggest Challenge: People’s Expectations.

Biggest Achievement: Taking Tamil music to non-Tamilians.

About God: Not even an atom can move without the will of the Almighty.

About Religion and Patriotism: It is most important, but should be left to an individual.

About Success: It does not last forever.

Favorite Musical Instruments: Keyboards, Flute, Mridangam.

Favorite Past time: Meditation, Internet, Taking family to Durgah.