Year 2009 was undoubtedly the year of Mozart of Madras AR Rahman. The music maestro won two Oscars, BAFTA, Golden Globe and he has also two Grammy nominations for Slumdog Millionaire.
Rahman, who is the first Indian musician to have won multiple Oscars, in his acceptance speech at the Kodak Theatre on February 22, 2009 used the famour Hindi dialogue Mere paas maa hai to thank his mother for the fame. Rahman, who was there with the entire Slumdog Millionaire was accompanied by his wife.
The Mozart of Madras, AR Rahman, has been awarded the Padma Bhushan award.
Last year in 2009 also Rahman won the two Oscars, BAFTA and Golden Globe. He also became the first Indian musician to have won multiple Oscars.
The usually media shy Rahman received a grand reception at his arrival back home. And after a series of interviews, the Delhi 6 composer, according to reports, asked people to leave him alone.
The music composer, who has done India proud by winning the prestigious trophies now has his hands full.
Rahman has a project with Mick Jagger and has also got a new studio in Los Angeles.
Rahman is closing the year with equal sheen. He has got two Grammy nominations, one for Best Song Written For Motion Picture, and the anthem Jai Ho, which has the world singing to his tune, as well as a nomination for Best Compilation Soundtrack for the film.
Rahman said that the Academy win was a proud moment for any Indian but for a musician, the Grammy is more coveted.
The Oscar led to a wave of interest in his work internationally. First, Pussycat Dolls danced to the tunes of Jai Ho, then Snoop Dogg named the promo single of his album Malice n Wonderland 'Snoop Dogg Millionaire', which featured the song's playback singer Tanvi Shah.
Currently, Rahman is busy working with composers Dave Stewart and Mick Jagger on a project, the details of which he doesn't yet want to disclose.
The musician is also planning to conduct an international concert series in 2010.
The music director, whose last release Blue was a bit of a disappointment, has a lot lined up. In an interview to a leading daily he said, he was happy to be "finally working on Indian projects after nearly a year."
Rahman has a line of releases next year. First comes Mani Ratnam's Raavan then Abbas Tyrewala's 1-800-LOVE followed by Rajnikant's Endhiran.
