AR Rahman turns 47

The Indian music maestro AR Rahman turns 47 today.

A two-time Academy Award winning film composer, record producer and a musician, Rahman has been named as 'Mozart of Madras' by TIME magazine.

Born in a musically Mudaliar affluent Tamil family, Rahman had a tough childhood as his father passed away when he was 9.

Rahman, in a career spanning over a decade, has sold more than 100 million records of his film scores and soundtracks worldwide, and sold over 200 million cassettes, making him one of the world's all-time top selling recording artists.

In 1992, Rahman established a music recording and mixing studio attached to the backyard of his house. The studio kick started his career and later on went on to become the most advanced recording studio in India, and one of Asia's most sophisticated and high-tech studios.

Rahman is married to Saira Banu and has three children, Khatija, Rahima, and Ameen. We wish him a very happy birthday.

Thereafter, there was no looking back as Rahman continued to blossom as a music director and went on creating new records.

He started his career as a keyboard player and an arranger in a band called "Roots". Here, Rahman can be seen with A Sivamani, John Anthony and the late Jojo, the other members of the band. (TOI Photo)

After composing jingles for advertisement for few years, Rahman got his big break with Mani Ratnam's 'Roja'. The young Rahman received Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus) award for Best Music Director at the National Film Awards, an unprecedented win for a first-time film composer.

He has won many awards including four National Film Awards, one BAFTA Award and two Oscars. He is the first Indian to win two Oscars.