A R Rahman Family Tree: The Story Behind the Mozart of Madras

Allahrakka Rahman (born A. S. Dileep Kumar), known as A. R. Rahman, born 6 January 1967 in Madras (Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India, is India's most-celebrated music composer — 2 Academy Awards, 2 Grammy Awards, Padma Bhushan (2010), Roja (1992), Bombay (1995), Dil Se (1998), Lagaan (2001), Slumdog Millionaire (2008 — Oscar), 127 Hours (2010), Rockstar (2011), Ponniyin Selvan (2022).

The Family's Roots: A Tamil Music Family in Madras

Born to a Tamil Hindu family that converted to Islam in 1989. Father was a composer in Tamil/Malayalam cinema.

His Parents

Father: R. K. Shekhar (1934–1976) — composer/conductor in Tamil and Malayalam cinema. Died when Rahman was 9.

Mother: Kareema Begum (born Kashmira) — homemaker; later converted to Islam with her children in 1989.

His Sisters

A. R. Reihana — Rahman's younger sister; playback singer.

Talat — sister.

Israth — sister.

His Ex-Wife: Saira Banu

Saira Banu — married Rahman on 12 March 1995 in Chennai. Separated November 2024 after 29 years of marriage.

Their Children

Khatija Rahman, born 1995 — daughter; playback singer.

Raheema Rahman, born 1998 — daughter.

A. R. Ameen, born 2003 — son; playback singer.

The Rahman Family Tree at a Glance

Father: R. K. Shekhar (1934–1976) — film composer.

Mother: Kareema Begum (Kashmira).

Sisters: A. R. Reihana; Talat; Israth.

Wife (separated): Saira Banu (m. 12 March 1995, sep. November 2024).

Children: Khatija (b. 1995) — singer; Raheema (b. 1998); A. R. Ameen (b. 2003) — singer.

A. R. Rahman:

  • Born 6 January 1967, Madras
  • Trinity College of Music, London (Western Classical music)
  • Composed for jingles and Tamil cinema from late 1980s
  • Major films: Roja (1992 — debut, National Award), Bombay (1995), Rangeela (1995), Dil Se (1998), Taal (1999), Lagaan (2001), Rang De Basanti (2006), Guru (2007), Jodhaa Akbar (2008), Slumdog Millionaire (2008 — 2 Academy Awards), Rockstar (2011), Highway (2014), Ponniyin Selvan: I (2022)
  • 6 National Film Awards; 2 Academy Awards (Best Original Score, Best Original Song "Jai Ho" 2009); 2 Grammy Awards (2010); Padma Shri (2000), Padma Bhushan (2010), BAFTA (2009), Golden Globe (2009)

What the Rahman Family Story Teaches Us

A composer father lost at 9. A converted-Islam mother. Three sisters. A 29-year marriage that recently ended. Three children, two of whom are singers. A career that produced 2 Academy Awards and brought Indian music to the world.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Rahman story carries the same lesson. Some careers turn early-life tragedy into 2 Oscars.

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