B'day special: Some lesser known facts about AR Rahman

Wishes and tributes start pouring in as ‘Mozart of Madras’ A R Rahman turned 48 today. Allah-Rakha Rahman was born A S Dileep Kumar. His works are known for integrating Eastern classical music with electronic and world music.

• He is the first Asian to have won 2 Oscars in the same year.
• Here are some of little known facts about Mozart of Madras, A R Rahman:
• Rahman and his son, Ameen share the same birth date- January 6
• A street in Markham, Ontario, Canada, has been named in his honour in November 2013.
• In 2012, Rahman had received a Christmas card from the family of the President of United States and dinner invitation at White House
• Rahman wanted to become a computer engineer
• Rahman was born in a Hindu family but embraced Islam when his fatally ill younger sister was cured by a Sufi saint Karimullah Shah Kadri.
• His father died when he was only nine, leaving him the sole breadwinner of the their family. His first salary was Rs.50 for operating a record player.
• Rahman likes composing at night when he is not disturbed by phone calls.