25 Years of AR Rahman: When the tunes of music maestro inspired Hollywood

When you talk about music in India, one person's name which always popped up in our heads is that of music maestro AR Rahman. The music composer has achieved unimaginable heights in his career span of 25 years. In an interview with a leading daily, he said, "I think music is a combination for me at the same time innovation. It's [also about] not losing its earthiness, the connectivity to myself and to the listener."

AR Rahman made his debut with Mani Ratnam's Roja back in 1992 and then, there was no looking back. He followed his unconventional route and gave us memorable hits like Gentleman, Bombay, Rangeela, Indian, Minsara Kanavu, Dil Se, Taal, Lagaan, Guru and Slumdog Millionaire. 

When AR Rahman started his journey, we knew that a change has come in the music space. The popularity of his songs is such that even Hollywood got inspired from the tunes and not the other way round. 

Take a look: 

1) Remember how AR Rahman's Bombay Theme went to become a rage and well, it inspired many musicians. From the use of instruments like violins, guitars, flute and keyboard to perfect notes, the instrumental version was just one of a kind masterpiece by AR Rahman. It was used by Loyd Banks in his song Rather By Me. Loyd retained the originality but added more bass and tempo it. It was also used in the 2005 film, Lord of War.

2) Urvasi Urvasi from 1995 Tamil film Kadhalan was yet another popular track that we still love crooning to. Just imagine! We got to hear the same tune in DJ Will.i.am's song It's My Birthday. 

3) Who can forget to mention Oscar-winning song Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire? You might also remember the version in which Pussycat Dolls collaborated with AR Rahman and well, it went on to become one of the top songs on the charts. 

4) The tunes of the song Kehna Hi Kiya found its place in Ciara’s song Turntables featuring Chris Brown. Did you love how it was blended in a way that you would found AR Rahman's essence in a Hollywood track? 

5) In the climax scene of The Accidental Husband, you would get to hear a mixture of AR Rahman's songs like Yaro Yarodi, Swasamae and Rang De. The movie ended on a beautiful note using Rahman's songs.

AR Rahman is indeed a genius! To end it, as AR Rahman has said in an interview, "My journey for 25 years has been about composing but it's also I'm an educator I have got a conservatory, and also a school for underprivileged children. We have many other children open for composing and become composers and we also have a company [where] some of the alumni want to join me and composed a TV episodic thing called 'Daughters of Destiny' for Hollywood director Vanessa Roth. So all this stuff is happening and I want to go 50 50 I want to be this mentor and the composer-singer."

Which one is your favourite Rahman track? Tell us in the comments below!