A.R. Rahman, the birthday boy, is a resounding name in the world of music. Arguably the most popular and acclaimed Indian export of the current century,
A.R. Rahman
has collaborated with the likes of Mick Jagger,
Danny Boyle, Iggy Azalea, etc., and carried the revered Indian musical legacy forward with gusto. To add to this, he has accompanied Zakir Hussain, L. Shankar, and many other legends on world tours in the early stages of his career.
However, not many know that his first tryst with fame came about at the tender age of 13 when he was featured in the Doordarshan show 'Wonder Balloon'. Having mastered the keyboard instrument at a very young age - his father R.K. Shekhar being a composer and conductor - A.R.R. came on the show (in the year 1980) as the kid who could not one but four keyboards at the same time!
Of course, this was only the beginning for the prodigy in A.R. Rahman who had already begun playing keyboards in Malayalam composer M.K. Arjunan's orchestra. Soon after, in order to support himself and his reeling family financially, Rahman would begin playing for noted composers like
M.S. Vishwanathan
,
Vijaya Bhaskar
, Raj-Koti, and others while exploring the local rock scene with fellow musicians
Sivamani, Suresh Peters, and others. A.R. Rahman also went on to obtain a scholarship from the Trinity College of Music, London.
Start a Conversation
Post comment