ENT-RAHMAN-BDAY 2

Shortly after that in 1992, he was approached by Mani
Ratnam to compose the score and soundtrack for his Tamil film
"Roja".
The music of the film clicked with the audiences thanks
to its refreshing melodies and gave Rahman a Best Music
Director trophy at the National Film Awards, the first time
ever by a debutante film composer.
Rahman entered the Hindi film industry with "Rangeela",
directed by Ram Gopal Varma. The music of the film became a
rage and the genius continued to give some brilliant
compositions for Bollywood films like "Bombay", "Dil Se",
"Taal", "Lagaan" and "Rang De Basanti" among others.
Rahman pioneered a distinct phase in Indian film music
combining Western influences with Indian sounds, ranging from
classical instruments to folk music.
While his 1998 superhit composition 'Chaiyya chaiyya'
("Dil Se") was deeply rooted in Sufi mysticism his latest film
"Blue" saw him amalgamating techno pop with bhangra.
In 2002, he gave the music for his maiden stage
production "Bombay Dreams" directed by legendary musical
theatre composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. Rahman's music was a hit
from London's 'West End' to New York's 'Broadway'.
In 2004 with Finnish folk music band Varttina, he
composed the music for "The Lord of the Rings" theatre
production.
Rahman's composition 'Jai ho' for British director Danny
Boyle's "Slumdog Millionaire", earned him two Academy awards
and the song reached an anthem status, playing everywhere from
John Galliano's fashion show to radio stations across India.
(More) PTI