DIPLOMAT ARTIST: A. R. RAHMAN
- March 23, 2009
Allah Rakha Rahman is the hottest name in music and film. If you have not heard
this name mentioned much before, it is because it is a newly adopted name for this
convert to Islam. "Slumdog Millionare" is only his latest success in what has already become an iconic career for this barely forty something global star. Perhaps reflecting some of his personal life, Rahman has spearheaded creative musical fusions, bringing together seemingly contradictory and complementary musical impulses from around the globe. Rahman's music frequently is the verve and drives the plot in his film collaborations. And, this modern day Sufi has become a UN Goodwill Ambassador when diplomacy needs to go beyond rhetoric to sow a positive agenda between cultures, peoples as well as states.
BORN INTO "SLUMDOG"
Rahman was born into a musical lineage having inherited his father's talent and drive. Although
not deposited into slum poverty, nonetheless he had to become his family's chief provider after
his father's early death. It is not unique for
children in developing states including India to
become providers even before their teens, and
perhaps he was fortunate that his music labor
allowed him to do something that was beyond
menial and facilitated the development of a
great talent.
A. S. Dileep Kumar, (Rahman's birth name), initially was a performance musician making ends meet. His career took off when he
was asked to do music for films, first Bollywood
and then broader Asia to Hollywood, (Rahman's discography and film credits will be linked
through his personal website at bottom of this
article). His compositions reflected Tamil, Hindi,
Carnatic, Chinese, Japanese, Qawalli, Western Classical, African, rock, hip hop infusions, but in the end such could only be captured by the label of Rahman unique. He has won Academy Awards, Golden Globes, BAFTAs, Filmfare and National (India) Film Awards. Beyond film, Rahman has sold records in the hundred of millions, authored jingles for advertisements and special events. He has worked with such diverse artists as Akon (hip hop US of African origin), Finnish folk music band Vartinna, Yusuf Islam, (Cat Stevens), Karen David and Vanessa Mae. This diversity perhaps is coincidental. More likely though it is a reflection of a much more open intellect and soul.
SOCIAL & POLITICAL COMMITMENTS
Rahman's commitments are also diverse. He has not branded his name with a single cause but appears to respond to the call. He has supported such international charities as Save the Children and to those providing relief in the wake of the 2004 Tsunami. He has initiated KM Music Conservatory to nourish aspiring musicians. He composed music for a film raising awareness and aid for destitute women. He is Global Ambassador on behalf of the World Health Organization and its fight against TB. India is blessed to have him as promoter to offset an image that many Muslims within its borders may be politically and otherwise socially facing undue obstacles. His Indian and Muslim identity appear to face no contradiction within him and his work, an ease that to some may not appear as comfortably aligned with more recent political tensions.
THE CONTRARIAN'S CHALLENGE TO US AND HIMSELF
Spending so much of this writing on Rahman's Islamic identity may be construed by some as perhaps a preoccupation. More accurately though it is reflective of Rahman's own conscious choices, perhaps to provoke a revaulation of prejudices and fears by defining his spiritualism as enabling and opening avenues rather than limiting and controlling. In a recent interview on CNN, Rahman was asked by the reporter why he had decided to change his name to reflect his adopted Islamic faith, especially in the current environment. Rahman, exhibiting nothing in his outward appearance or dress of this adopted identity, responded that his Islamic faith was defining to his life, although also personal; however it was also important especially now that he identify with a religion facing such misunderstanding and attacks.
Big individuals can be hoped to fill chasms created by small thinking people. Where others might see contradictions between Rahman's art, life and faith, he has absorbed all of this as complementary and on a global stage.
At a period of time when Islam is misrepresented by some from its fringe, misappropriated and abused by a few from within, misunderstood by most and under assault by opportunists promoting religious or cultural conflicts, Rahman is the inconvenient example. He is not only the contrarian, but he cannot be fitted into conforming stereotypes. To fellow Muslims he is a modern day example of what was, could and should be the tenets of faith. He is window to the past and future. His openness, tolerance, intellectual curiosity, artistic experimentation and faith have delivered a diplomat artist unbounded by labels, un-hounded by pretense, committed to aid others and also help us shape perhaps a more dynamic portrait of horizontal, vertical and internal transcendence.
