Singer-composer A. R. Rahman celebrates his 58th birthday today, January 6. The virtuoso got his big break in 1992 in Mani Ratnam’s ‘Roja’, and has since been creating music that has defined Indian cinema. Take a look at a few of the Oscar winner’s best songs:
Inspired by the song ‘Tere Ishq Nachaya’, with music composed by Rahman, ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ was featured in the 1998 film 'Dil Se'. The song was sung by Sukhwinder Singh and Sapna Awasthi
Featured in Mani Ratnam’s ‘Roja’, ‘Chinna Chinna Asai’, sung by Minmini, was A. R. Rahman’s first venture in the cinematic universe, marking a significant step for his future projects
Composed for the 2008 Academy Award-winning film 'Slumdog Millionaire', Rahman secured his first Oscar nomination and win, gaining him international recognition
Sung by Rashid Ali, ‘Khabi Khabi Aditi’ was composed by Rahman for the 2008 film ‘Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na’
Featured in the socio-political film ‘Rang De Basanti’, ‘Luka Chuppi’, sung by the late Lata Mangeshkar, quickly became a hit in India and was even considered for an Academy Award for Best Original Song nomination
‘Maahi Ve’, composed and sung by Rahman, the song topped the charts at the time of the release of ‘Highway’ in 2014
Featured in his 1997 studio album ‘Vande Mataram’, ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam’ is one of India’s most popular songs of all time, showcasing national pride and invoking a patriotic atmosphere
'Rang De Basanti', featured in the 2006 film of the same name, was sung by Daler Mehndi and Kerala-based singer K. S. Chitra
Another song featured in his debut soundtrack for ‘Roja’, ‘Yeh Haseen Waadiyaan’, sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. S. Chithra
Sung by Madhukar Dhumal, ‘Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera’ is one of the most memorable songs from the film 'Swades', starring Shah Rukh Khan