A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman

I am a friend when I need to be a friend, a father when I need to be a father, a musician when music calls. I switch roles accordingly.

A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman

I want young Indian composers to be able to do more than just film music. I want to give them the skills that will enable them to create their own palette of sounds instead of having to write formulaic music. It doesn't matter if they become sound engineers, producers, composers or performers - I want them to be as imaginative as they like.

A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman

I feel blessed and humbled that people have loved my music. Nothing would be possible without their acceptance.

A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman

My mother insisted that I pursue music. I rented out my father's musical equipment and earned some money. As a child, I wasn't sure about a career goal, but I was always fascinated by electronic gadgets, specially musical equipment.

A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman

Every time I sit for a song, I feel I am finished. It's like a beggar sitting waiting for God to fill your bowl with the right thought. In every song, I ask help from Him. Everybody around is so good, so to create music that will connect with so many people is not humanly possible without inspiration.

A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman

I follow a simple formula when I compose. I ask myself, 'What would the audience want to hear?' and 'Why would they buy my CDs?' And the process of answering these questions through music follows. Sometimes, it works. Sometimes, it backfires.

A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman

While my mother wanted me to be a musician, I wanted to become an electronic engineer.

A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman

I'm continuing to learn more about music - it's an ocean, and you can never really say that you know everything. I'm grateful that I'm still living and making music among the greats.

A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman

Music is the only passion I shamelessly indulge in. However, for recreation I enjoy watching movies. 'Wizard of Oz' was the first film I ever saw, followed by the 'Bond' movies. I also watch a lot of World cinema through DVDs mostly brought by one of my best friends who's now based in Toronto.

A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman

The idea of music is to liberate the listener and lead him to a frame where he feels he is elevated.