'MOZART OF MADRAS' A. R. RAHMAN..51!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Our renowned Music director A.R. Rahman!

One of the icons of world music..Indian composer, singer, songwriter & music producer..A.R. Rahman now 51!

Mani Ratnam's film 'Roja' (1992).

Rahman's career as film music composer started in 1990s and he got success with renowned filmmaker Mani Ratnam's Social Tamil/Hindi film 'Roja's (1992) music. It's title track with strong performances of Aravind Swami & Madhu touched the hearts! Then he got fame with music of Prabhu Deva & Nagma acted S. Shankar's romantic Tamil film 'Kadhalan' (1994) in which his songs like "Mukkabla.." & he sung "Urvashi.." became hits!

Ram Gopal Varma's 'Rangeela' (1995).

He made his bollywood debut in 1995 with music of Ram Gopal Varma's film 'Rangeela' in which Amir Khan & Urmila Matondkar rocked on his hit tunes! Same year Mani Ratnam's strong contemporary film 'Bombay' came..And he composed it's theme & songs like "Kehna hi kya.." made the visuals & performance of pretty Manisha Koirala..more intense!

Mani Ratnam's 'Bombay' (1995).

Then Mani Ratnam directed beautiful Aishwarya Rai's debut film 'Iruvar' (Tamil/1997) & Shahrukh Khan starrer social 'Dil se' (Hindi/1998) established him as leading music director in Tamil & Hindi film industry!

Mani Ratnam & Ram Gopal Varma with A. R. Rahman!

In 2008 he entered in international cinema with Danny Boyle's English film 'Slumdog Millionaire' which won 8 Academy Awards and he gained 'Best Original Score' award which was a first for an Asian! Then his music for Hollywood film 'Couples Retreat' won Best Score 'BMI' London Award!

Mani Ratnam's 'Iruvar' (1997).

From Subhash Ghai's musical 'Taal' (1999), Ashutosh Govarikar's historical epic 'Jodha Akbar' (2008) to Yash Chopra's modern romantic 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan' (2012)..A. R. Rahman composed special kind of scores..and continuing his outstanding musical journey. In 2017 he made his debut as a director & writer with the film 'Le Musk'!

YRF's 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan' (2012).

Rahman's works are noted for integrating Eastern classical music with electronic Western music..So he known as one of the world's most prominent & prolific music composers & ''Mozart of Madras''!

Music director A.R. Rahman with two 'Oscar' awards!

He won various awards in which includes two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, BAFTA Award, Golden Globe, four National Awards, fifteen Filmfare Awards! And he also got Padma Bhushan!

Best wishes to him with his 'Oscar' winning song.."JAY HO.."

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune, India]