A.R.Rahman:The Inimitable

Allah Rakha Rahman born as A.S. Dileep Kumar been hailed as "the Mozart of Madras.". A renowned Indian music composer and musician,he was born into a family enriched with the musical tradition on January 6, 1966. The musical genius secured a scholarship at the Trinity College of Music at Oxford University where he obtained a degree in music, and well-versed himself in Western classical music.. He embraced Islam in times of personal distress and says that the religion lended him utmost tranquility. He engaged himself in advertising in 1987, and with his exclusive originality invented over 300 jingles in a period of 5 years. Though he had humble beginnings in 1989 with a small studio called Panchathan Record Inn, it has now transformed into an remarkably equipped and sophisticated sound recording studio, that is now one of the best in India.

His music is a fusion of various styles: Carnatic, Western and Hindustani. The brand of music that utilizes traditional instruments, modern technology and its amalgamation of world music renders it inimitable. The director Baz Luhrmann claims: "I had come to the music of A. R. Rahman through the emotional and haunting score of Bombay and the wit and celebration of Lagaan. But the more of AR's music I encountered the more I was to be amazed at the sheer diversity of styles: from swinging brass bands to triumphant anthems; from joyous pop to West-End musicals. Whatever the style, A. R. Rahman's music always possesses a profound sense of humanity and spirit, qualities that inspire me the most."

He made an entry into the international scenario as he worked with Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Shekhar Kapur on a musical called "Bombay Dreams." "Lagaan" was nominated for best foreign-language film at the 2002 Academy Awards

His journey begun on a high, when director Mani Ratnam cast him in Roja (1992). Since then, there has been no looking back. He has, to his credit, fourteen Filmfares, eleven Filmfare awards in the South, four National Awards, a BAFTA, two Grammy awards, two Oscars and also a golden globe. He has been acclaimed on an international level for his music in Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire.

The Time magazine has ranked A.R.Rahman in the Time 100 listing of World's Most Influential People. AR Rahman is to perform at the 2010 Nobel peace Prize ceremony alongside other celebrated artists like Barry Manilow, Elvis Costello, Herbie Hancock, and Jamiroquai. The event will be staged on December 11th, 2010 at Oslo,Norway. He was also recently honoured at the 10th annual MIAAC festival, New York for his "significant contribution to the globalization of Indian music"