Happy Birthday Mozart of Madras

He is someone who literally gave a 'New' sound to music ever since he arrived on the Tamil music industry with the soundtrack of Mani Ratnam's Roja. Since then, there has been no looking back for A.R.Rahman who has been consistently delivering one hit after the other in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Hindi cinema. His music in films like Roja, Kandukonden Kandukonden, Kadhal Desam, Bombay, Rangeela, Lagaan and Rang De Basanti have given us many chartbusters. The year 2008 was a particularly great year for all 'Rahmaniacs' as the music maestro gave us super soundtracks like Jodhaa Akbar, Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na, Yuvvraaj and Ghajini. On the same year his compositions for Danny Boyle's internationally acclaimed film Slumdog Millionaire has even fetched him the prestigious Golden Globe nomination. That is not the end then he done more and more Hollywood films, and some best music for him. 

Roja versus Berklee Music School

"I was in the backing band for the legendary violinist L. Shankar and I told him that I would like to go to study at Berklee. I remember he brought me the prospectus, and I was all set and I had everything all ready to go. And then Mani Ratnam comes into my life, so it was Berklee or this movie Roja. So, I had to ditch Berklee, but the circle of life is such a beautiful thing, I am back here...what an amazing band! Indian music has been conservative, and it could take the mindset of people studying at Berklee to innovate without destroying the sanctity of the music." Said by him in First Post Interview.

The Rahman moment

These days, the superstar from Chennai is spotted most often on planes to Los Angeles, devouring in-flight movies or humming the next masterpiece into his iphone in a quiet corner.

Like Henri Cartier Bresson gave to photography the decisive moment , Rahman has done the same in song, where he breaks the rules because he has mastered them like no other.

“Your eye must see a composition or an expression that life itself offers you, and you must know with intuition when to click the camera,” said Bresson.

In ARR’s signature songs, there’s invariably a Rahman moment that explodes; but unlike photography, this is melody, giving us a rewind button for the ephemeral.

“We all have a 100 foot journey”

"I really like working with directors who are involved in the script. I think we all have a 100 foot journey, we all need to take that first step to make something bigger. I did not want to do a generic score. I don’t want to show where things start and end. The things that I really aspire to do in Hollywood, this is one of the first or second steps towards that, with a greater sensibility to Western audiences…. a new beginning for me." He said for the famous hollywood article.

This is what Rahman is!!!

"How do I know that a new song will work with audiences...? I don't know (laughs). What I do know is that the known limits you, the unknown liberates you. If you make music with apprehension and fear, you will do normal stuff. Working (composing) music without fear is the key. Go boldly into the unknown, if it doesn't sound good, you can always tear it up and start over again. Isn't it?"

Last But Not The Least!!!! Sir, Thalli Pogathe Was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!

As the musical genius celebrates his birthday today, we at Tamil Legends give you all a chance to post your birthday wishes (in the comment section below) for the one and only A.R.Rahman.