HBD AR Rahman: Lesser Known Facts About This Music Maestro

The music legend AR Rahman turned a year older today and is celebrating his 55th birthday! On this special occasion, we just listed down a few unknown facts about him… Take a look!
A Glimpse Of His Personal Life
AR Rahman was born as A S Dileep Kumar on 6 January 1967 in Madras, Tamil Nadu. His father R. K. Shekhar was a film composer and Rahman started learning piano at the age of 4 itself.
Financial Glitches
With the sudden demise of his father when he is aged 9, the rent of his father's musical equipment provided his family's income. So, he had to support his mother to run the family at that age itself. Then slowly he mastered keyboard and other musical instruments and carved a niche!
Change Of His Name
Well, Dileep Kumar changed his name to AR Rahman at the age of 23 when he met spiritual Guru, Qadri Islam.
The Starting Days Of His Career
Well, Rahman first started composing jingles for TV advertisements and his jingle for Titan Watches in 1987 made him turn popular!
His First Movie
Rahman first worked with ace filmmaker Mani Ratnam for the Tamil movie Roja in 1992. With the blockbuster success of that movie, he had no looking back in his career!
A Street Is Named After Him In Canada
This is a great honour to AR Rahman… A street in Markham, Ontario, Canada was named after him in November, 2013.
List Of Awards In His Career
• The Academy Awards: 2
Movie: Slumdog Millionaire (2009)
• BAFTA
Movie: Slumdog Millionaire (2009)
• Total National Awards: 6
• Total Filmfare Awards: 32
• Total IIFA Awards: 12
Honorary Doctorates
• Anna University
• Aligarh University
• Middlesex University
• Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
• Berklee College of Music
Happy Birthday AR Rahman… Do continue making us go aww with your ultimate and soulful compositions!