News
AR Rahman wins Golden Globe for Slumdog Millionaire
14 January 2009
AR Rahman (3rd left). Photo © HFPA and courtesy of Golden Globe Awards
Bollywood’s star composer conquers the world
Congratulations to composer and Neve 88R-owner AR Rahman on becoming the first Indian to win a Golden Globe. A legend in India (where his legion of fans are known as Rahmanics) he has sold more than 100 million records (and twice that number of cassettes), making him one of the world’s biggest selling recording artists of all time.
A multi-instrumentalist and singer, Rahman trained in western classical as well as eastern musical traditions. Along with playing in rock bands, he was busy composing jingles and incidental music for Indian TV channels by the age of 24; approached to write for feature films he proceeded to sweep the board at Bollywood award ceremonies.
Rahman had already begun to branch out into the global industry, with films such as the Mandarin/Japanese Warriors of Heaven and Earth and a collaboration on the English language Elizabeth: The Golden Age. The award of the Best Original Score Golden Globe for the Hollywood-financed Anglo-Indian smash hit Slumdog Millionaire – one of four won by the film – cements a growing worlwide reputation.
His success has also enabled AR Rahman to fit out his own studio, Panchathan Record Inn in Chennai, with no-compromise recording equipment – including the Neve 88R used on Slumdog Millionaire.
