(This article is authored by Alar)

The world of music is filled with legends, but few can match the stature and influence of A.R. Rahman, the Oscar-winning composer who has enchanted millions with his melodies. Today, he turns 57, and the occasion is marked by an outpouring of love and admiration from his fans, colleagues, and admirers.

Among them is the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin, who took to X to share a heartfelt post in Tamil, wishing the musical genius a happy birthday. He wrote, “My birthday wishes to Tamizh Puyal A.R. Rahman, who conquers the world and hearts with music and travels forever on the path of love.” Isai Puyal, which means musical storm, is one of the many nicknames that Rahman has earned over the years for his versatility and innovation.

Rahman’s journey to fame and glory is nothing short of inspirational. Born as A. S. Dileep Kumar in Madras, Tamil Nadu, on January 6, 1967, he lost his father, a musician, at a young age and had to support his family by playing keyboards for various bands and composers. He also dabbled in creating jingles for advertisements and documentaries, honing his skills and experimenting with different genres and styles.

His big break came in 1992, when he was approached by the acclaimed director Mani Ratnam to score the music for his Tamil film, ‘Roja.’ The film’s soundtrack was a huge success, winning Rahman the National Film Award for Best Music Direction, and catapulting him to national and international fame.

Since then, he has never looked back, composing and producing original scores and songs for more than 145 films in various languages, including Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, English, Persian, and Mandarin. His work has been recognized and appreciated by critics and audiences alike, earning him numerous awards and accolades, such as six National Film Awards, two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, and fifteen Filmfare Awards.

He has also been conferred with the Padma Vibhushan, the fourth and second highest civilian honor in India, respectively.  As Rahman celebrates his birthday, his fans are also celebrating his legacy and contribution to the world of music by sharing tribute videos, messages, and memories of his songs and compositions, expressing their gratitude and admiration for the musical maestro. 

இசையால் உலகையும் உள்ளங்களையும் வென்று, என்றும் அன்பின் பாதையில் பயணிக்கும் தமிழ்ப்புயல் @arrahman அவர்களுக்கு என் பிறந்தநாள் வாழ்த்துகள். pic.twitter.com/x4p3qFaz7Z

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) January 6, 2024