World-renowned Indian musician AR Rahman impressed the world with his brilliant music, he converted to Islam at the age of 23. In an interview given to Indian media in 2000, he shed light on the reasons for his attraction to Islam.
AR Rahman said in the interview that he converted to Islam in search of spiritual peace. A Sufi saint played an important role in his father’s cancer treatment, and it was his influence that led Rahman to Islam. In 1980, he formally converted to Islam, after which he found immense satisfaction.
Even after converting to Islam, AR Rahman lived in a house where different beliefs were mixed. His mother practiced Hinduism, while there were also books and pictures of other religions in the house.
AR Rahman’s real name is Dilip Kumar Rajagopala, who was born on January 6, 1967 in Madras (Chennai). His father, R.K. Shekhar, was a music composer and conductor for Tamil and Malayalam films.
Regarding the change in his name, he said that he did not like his birth name and his mother had seen the name ‘Allah Rakha’ in a dream. Rahman’s family suggested ‘Rehman’, and thus his new name was completed.
It should be noted that AR Rahman and his wife Saira Banu are currently in the news for their separation after 29 years of marriage. The couple tied the knot on March 12, 1995 and have three children.
