Legendary music composer AR Rahman, renowned for his global contributions to music, recently shared a touching story about his late mother, Kareema Begum. In a candid interview, Rahman revealed why his mother used to wrap his prestigious international awards in towels, showcasing her unique way of cherishing his success.
AR Rahman’s illustrious career has earned him two Oscars, two Grammys, a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and six National Awards. His fame extends beyond India, making him a revered figure on the global music stage. Despite these numerous accolades, Rahman shared an intriguing detail about how his mother stored his awards.
A Mother’s Unique Way of Preserving Awards
During the interview, Rahman explained that his mother wrapped his international awards in towels, thinking they were made of gold. “There’s a room, and then some of them have not come to me. I think some of the directors have kept them as souvenirs. I kept the international awards in Dubai because it was wrapped in a towel. My mom wrapped it – she thought it was gold. The rest are in Chennai,” Rahman shared.
After his mother’s passing, Rahman took the awards from her room and placed them in the Dubai Firdaus studio. This gesture not only reflects his respect for his mother’s sentiments but also ensures the awards are preserved in a significant place.
Moving Beyond the Awards Phase
Rahman also spoke about his evolving perspective on awards. He mentioned that he feels he has moved past the “award phase” of his life, seeking new ways to use his credibility for better purposes. “Like the documentary – whatever I stand for, whatever credibility I’ve earned, can I use that for something better is what this is,” Rahman stated.
Music as Rahman’s ‘Clubbing’
In a conversation with Sucharita Tyagi, Rahman delved into his personal life and his documentary. When asked about his leisure activities, he responded, “I think there’s no chilling out because I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, so there’s no chilling. Clubbing for me is music.” Rahman humorously added that his version of chilling out involves visiting Cannes when he is not making music.
Upcoming Projects for AR Rahman
AR Rahman’s recent soundtracks for “Aadujeevitham” and “Amar Singh Chamkila” have garnered widespread acclaim. Looking ahead, he has several exciting projects, including the highly anticipated “Indian 2” directed by Shankar and starring Kamal Haasan, and “Thug Life” by Mani Ratnam.