AR Rahman Birthday Special – Find out why the legendary musician converted from Hinduism to Islam
Today marks the 57th birthday of AR Rahman. He is among the most well-known and significant musicians in the world, both in India and elsewhere. Numerous honours have been bestowed upon him, such as a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, two Academy, two Grammy, six National Film Awards, and many more. His life and music have been influenced by his spiritual and religious beliefs, which are also well-known.
However, were you aware that AR Rahman was not a Muslim by birth? He was born into a Hindu family and went by Dileep Kumar at first. Following the passing of his father, a composer of music, he, along with his mother and three sisters, converted to Islam at the age of 23. Today is his birthday, let’s take a look at what made him convert to Islam. How did he go from being Dileep Kumar to being AR Rahman? What impact did his faith have on his career and music? Let’s find out.
When Bollywood musician AR Rahman was just nine years old, his father, RK Shekhar, passed away. Moreover, he was forced to take on the burden of providing for his family by working as an arranger and keyboard player for different composers. In the music business, he also encountered numerous difficulties and obstacles that led him to doubt his identity and purpose.
AR Rahman’s personal life revelation:
Islam, which he was introduced to by some of his friends and his mother’s family, provided him with the answers. The teachings of Qadiri Islam, a Sufi order that emphasizes harmony, love, and peace, had a special influence on him. Islam’s mysticism and spirituality also drew him in because they spoke to his artistic sensibilities.
Along with his mother and sisters, he made the decision to become Muslim, and he adopted the name Allah Rakha Rahman, which means “the merciful and compassionate one.” He declared that he did not want to force his beliefs on anyone else and that this was a personal decision. He added that Islam offered him a feeling of stability, direction, and serenity in his life.
AR Rahman’s musical diversity and style remained unaffected by his conversion to Islam. He kept composing music for movies in a variety of languages and genres and collaborated with singers and composers from diverse backgrounds and religions. In some of his compositions, he also included Islamic musical elements like the call to prayer, the Quranic recitation, and Sufi devotional songs.
He claimed that his inspiration to write upbeat, optimistic, and universal music came from his faith. Also, he added that he disseminated his message of harmony and love via music and utilized it as a means of expressing his gratitude to God. He declared that he wished to use music for good, considering it a gift from God.
Additionally, he mentioned that prayer played a significant role in his life and that it kept him modest and focused. He claimed to have fasted during Ramadan and offered five times a day of prayer. He claimed that fasting and prayer kept him away from bad influences and gave him strength and discipline.
