* Happy Birthday A.R.Rahman! * Vijayalakshmi Sridhar [January 6, 2009, 10:53:38 AM]
Today is a very special day for music lovers. It is the birthday of A.R.Rahman, one of the most talented music composers of Tamil cinema. >From being Dileep, son of Shekar ,a composer/conductor in Malayalam cinema to A.R. Rahman, the most sought-after music director, his rise was phenomenal. Rahman's association with music began very early, when in school he took up a part-time vocation as a keyboard player and arranger in private rock bands. The effect and prospect of mixing and presenting various sounds for the concerts kindled his curiosity. The vast potential of music lured him to test its combination with technology and such an interest sparked off the beginning of his journey into the world of composing. With verve to master the nuances and technicalities of music, he subsequently enrolled for proper training from Master Dhanraj Pillai. At age 11, he joined music director Ilayaraja's troupe as a keyboardist. Simultaneously, he also played in several music directors' troupes and toured the world with great concert performers such as Zakir Hussain, L.Vaidyanathan and Ramesh Naidu. While treasuring all these varied and valuable experiences, Rahman graduated from Trinity College of Music, London in western classical music and in 1991, he opened his recording studio in Chennai and began composing music for jingles and documentary film strips. Maniratnam's *Roja* marked his entry into the world of cinema. *Roja* won the National award and A.R. Rahman stepped into the limelight. A string of successes followed. *Lagaan, Kannathil Muthamittal, Bombay, Karuthamm *and*Indira * are a few among the many. His music created a new trend, scaled astonishing heights of appreciation and grew to become a sensation. Rahman's speciality lies in his experimentation. His is a well-knit combination of technology and art. The songs he compose illustrate the distinctly rich aspects of music, yet carries a lot of contemporary motifs. The result of this accomplishment is a production of mind-freshening masterpieces comprising melodies, raps and hip-hops. Films aside, Rahman has also worked in a diverse variety of projects. He has toured the world several times and has worked with several musical stalwarts and legends. Many cross-over movies and Hollywood productions such as Shekhar Kapoor's *Elizabeth-The Golden Age, Slumdog Millionairre* too add exclusivity to his career. Rahman is a prestigious winner of many National and International awards. * Roja*, his musical debut got listed in TIME's 'Top 10 musical Soundtracks of the year'. The recently-launched KM Music Conservatory, Rahman's own musical label has taken his dreams to the next level. Rahman's vision is to compose and present world-class orchestra here. Beyond and above his musical talent, it is Rahman's distinguishing modesty that warms up the hearts of the listeners and fans worldwide. Almost every time he receives an award or accolade we have seen him attributing it to the great Almighty. 'Ella Pughazhum Iraivanukke' is Rahman's most popular and most-liked prelude to his public speeches. Rahman is married to Saira Bhanu and the couple are blessed with three children Kadhija, Rahim and Aman. May the 'Mozart of Madras' blessed with the best in his life! Happy Birthday Rahman! http://tamil.galatta.com/entertainment/livewire/id/Happy_Birthday_A.R.Rahman_21151.html -- regards, Vithur
