Why Rahman converted to islam?

Allah Rakkha Rahman was born on January 6, 1966 as A. S. Dileep Kumar in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, mainly known by his first two initials and last name A. R. Rahman

His father R. K. Sekar, a music director who mostly worked for Mallu films and his mother Kasturi (Kareema Begum). While Rahman's father being a born Hindu and died as Hindu, it was Kasturi, whose real name was Kareema Begum before marrying Hindu Shekhar.

It was in the year 1991 when it all began. Mani Ratnam, one of India's best-known directors was in search of a new music composer for his films. At an awards function for excellence in the field of advertising, he met Rahman after he bagged the award for the best ad jingle in Sharada Trilok's advertisement for Leo Coffee. Sharada introduced the young composer to her cousin, Mani Ratnam who was so impressed that he signed him for K. Balachander's 1992 film Roja, six months later. The film was directed by noted filmmaker Mani Ratnam and featured Madhoo and then debutant Arvind Swamy. At last, Rahman's talent and caliber came to the notice of the entire world. The song 'Tamizha Tamizha' in the film became a rage. The colourful fusion of pop, Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, reggae, rock, and classical Indian music (Carnatic) won him three awards for Best Music Director. A.R Rahman's music is greatly influenced by Sufi mysticism.

It is interesting to note how this great music composer came up in life, considering his humble beginnings. A.S. Dileep Kumar or A.R. Rahman as we know today was born on January 6 1966, in Madras. Rahman's father, K.A. Sekhar was a successful musician, arranger and conductor in Malayalam movies and had worked with popular figures like Salil Chowdhary and Devarajan. Under this background, AR Rahman began learning the piano at the age of four. But life was not all that hunky-dory for the young boy who lost his father at the age of nine.

The responsibility of supporting his mother Kasturi (Kareema Begum) and three sisters (Kanchana, Bala - now Talat and Israth), soon fell on his young shoulders. At the age of eleven, Dileep joined Illaiyaraja's troupe as a keyboard player and a session musician on soundtracks. All this was casting an adverse effect on Rahman's education. Lack of attendance and indifference on the part of the management forced him to shift from the prestigious Padma Seshadri Bal Bhavan to the Madras Christian College. However, he finally dropped out of school at the age of 16.

He then roamed the world with various orchestras including renowned Zakir Husain. His experience and exposure helped him earn a scholarship and obtain a degree in Western Classical Music from Trinity College of Music, Oxford University.

It was sometime in 1987 that Rahman ventured into composing jingles for television commercials, the first one being for Allwyn's new trendy range of watches. He composed more than 300 jingles in a matter of five years apart from his first album of Muslim devotional songs titled 'Deen Isai Malai' and the English album, 'Set Me Free'. However, that failed to make an impact in the market. Few of the popular ads that he did included Parry's, Leo Coffee, Boost showcasing Sachin Tendulkar and Kapil Dev, Titan, Premier Pressure Cooker, Hero Puch and Asian Paints. The small studio called Panchathan Record Inn that he began is one of India's most well equipped and advanced recording studios today. Also, Rahman began a collection of sound samples - The most comprehensive sonic libraries in Asia.

A lot has been talked about Rahman's conversion to Islam. In fact the quiet music composer even received a lot of flak for the same. It was in the year 1989 that Dileep Kumar and his family converted into Islam. It wasn't a very difficult decision to make as his mother Kareema Begum belonged to a Muslim family. Also, in 1988, one of his sisters fell seriously ill and in spite of the family's effort to cure her, her health deteriorated by the day. They happened to meet a Muslim Pir - Sheik Abdul Qadir Jeelani or Pir Qadri. His prayers and blessings did wonder for his sister who made a miraculous comeback to life. Thus began the journey of A.S.Dileep Kumar to A.R. Rahman.

interesting...so its due to his sisters health that the entire family converted to islam.

u summarize the story for us ka? danx

yeap...long story short in one sentence. well that was the whole topic about rite?

security hazzard wrote:yeap...long story short in one sentence.

definition of summarize?

yup, u r rite. thats the whole topic abt.