As he celebrates 25 years in the music industry, the Oscar and Grammy-winning Indian musician A R Rahman says his religious beliefs have helped define his career.
Rahman, who converted to Islam in his 20s, is in London with a show called Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.
He told Reuters in an interview on Thursday that his interpretation of the Muslim faith meant living a life that was simple and in which humility was key.
“Islam is an ocean, you know, it has different sects. More than 70. So I follow the Sufi kind of philosophy, which is about love,” Rahman said. “I am what I am because of the philosophy I’m following, my family is following. And of course, many things are happening, and I feel it’s mostly political.”
The 50-year-old artist, who has won two Oscars, two Grammys and a Golden Globe, has more than 160 film soundtracks to his name, including the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire and Bollywood films such as Lagaan and Taal.
And now, his music from the film Viceroy’s House, or Partition: 1947, has been shortlisted for the World Soundtrack Awards.
“Delighted to be shortlisted for the World Soundtrack Awards Public Choice Award for Viceroy’s House,” Rahman tweeted on Friday.
He sings, writes songs, plays instruments and composes music and has teamed up with other global artists including Mick Jagger, Sarah Brightman and the Pussycat Dolls.
Rahman also kicked off his latest tour on Saturday at Wembley SSE Arena in London on July 8, and said it will take his fans on a journey through his music for the last quarter of a century.
The soft-spoken artist said he still had more to achieve and hoped music would help bring more people together.
“If you take an orchestra, you have the underprivileged and the privileged, playing together. We have different races playing together. We have different religions playing together.
But one sound comes out,” he said. “You work towards one harmony.”
The World Soundtrack Public Choice Awards are voted for by music fans around the globe.
Viceroy’s House, which also stars Huma Qureshi, Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville, Gillian Anderson and late actor Om Puri, is out in India on August 18.
