AR Rahman turns 54: Rare pictures of the ‘Mozart of Madras’

It is music maestro AR Rahman's birthday today. Over the years, the talented and versatile musician has made his mark in music by composing for different industries. Bollywood, Hollywood, Kollywood or Tollywood, there is no place where Rahman has not proved his efficacy. Adapting like a chameleon with every changing project, Rahman has a dedicated fan base globally. (Photo: Express Archive)

Born as AS Dileep Kumar on this day in 1967, AR Rahman, who later converted to Islam, followed the footsteps of his composer father RK Shekhar, but it was his recently deceased mother Kareema Begum who nurtured his musical gifts. (Photo: Express Archive)

AR Rahman made his debut in the music industry with the 1992 Mani Ratnam movie Roja.

Here AR Rahman and director Mani Ratnam are seen at an event. (Photo: Express Archive)

Following the success of Roja, AR Rahman went on to work on several well-known Tamil and Telugu movies, which further catapulted his success. These include Gentleman, Thiruda Thiruda, Duet, Bombay among others. (Photo: Express Archive)

Nicknamed by his fans as 'Isai Puyal' (a musical storm) and the 'Mozart of Madras,' the composer quickly began to gain ground in Bollywood. His first Hindi movie was Ram Gopal Varma's Rangeela (1995), which is still remembered for its vibrancy and melodic tunes. (Photo: Express Archive)

However, success on the international front came more than a decade later after his compositions in the award-winning Slumdog Millionaire won the heart of the Academy. Besides winning the Best Original Score Oscar, the film's track "Jai Ho" won Best Original Song at the 81st Oscars ceremony. (Photo: Express Archive)

AR Rahman's work for Slumdog Millionaire was honoured with the Best Compilation Soundtrack Album and Best Song Written For Visual Media at the Grammy Awards held in 2010. (Photo: Express Archive)

In 2010, Rahman was conferred with the Padma Bhushan. (Photo: Express Archive)

Apart from these honours, Rahman has won six National Awards, one BAFTA and one Golden Globe award. (Photo: Express Archive)

Till date, AR Rahman has been awarded with 15 Filmfare Awards and 17 Filmfare Awards South.

Here AR Rahman is seen with Rajinikanth, K. Balachander, Kamal Haasan and KS Ravikumar at an event. (Photo: Express Archive)

Apart from composing a variety of music for several industries, Rahman is a beloved singer too. He has crooned popular tracks such as "Ma Tujhe Salaam," "Urvasi Urvasi," "Dil Se Re," "Kun Faya Kun," "Rehna Tu," Jai Ho" among others.

Here AR Rahman is seen with Shah Rukh Khan and Anil Kapoor at an event. (Photo: Express Archive)

AR Rahman has also directed a movie called Le Musk (2017). The artiste has written and produced the Hindi musical 99 Songs.

Here AR Rahman is seen with director Shekhar Kapur and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. (Photo: Express Archive)