AR Rahman: The name of famous musician AR Rahman is famous all over the world today, but very few people know that his real name was Dilip Kumar. He was born in a Hindu family. AR Rahman converted to Muslim religion in the late 1980s and changed his name. His decision was inspired by his spiritual experiences, which gave him and his family new peace.
AR Rahman told during a BBC talk show in 2000 how the decision to change religion became a part of his life. There were many reasons behind his decision, including the role of a Sufi saint who was treating his father.
Changed religion inspired by Sufi saint
AR Rahman revealed that when his father was battling cancer, a Sufi saint was treating him. He said, "That Sufi was involved in my father's treatment during his last days. We met him again after 7-8 years, and at the same time we adopted another spiritual path, which brought us peace."
There was a spiritual atmosphere since childhood.
Nasreen Munni Kabir's book A.R. In Rahman: The Spirit of Music, Rahman told that his family always respected religious diversity. He said, "My mother was a Hindu, but in our house there were pictures of Hindu gods and goddesses as well as pictures of Mother Mary and Mecca and Medina."
Story behind name change
Rahman's mother also had an important role in changing his name. He told Karan Thapar that his mother had a dream in which she chose the name 'Allah Rakha'. There itself, "Rehman" The name was decided by his family. In Nasreen's book he also said, "I never liked my old name Dilip. My own image did not match in this."
Astrologer suggested name
Interestingly, before changing religion, a Hindu astrologer had suggested him the name 'Rahman'. Rahman said, "We had gone to an astrologer for the horoscope of my sister's marriage. When I asked him about changing the name, he suggested the names Abdul Rahman and Abdul Rahim. I liked the name 'Rahman' immediately. It was a Hindu astrologer who gave me my Muslim name."
balance of music and faith
AR Rahman believes that his religious conversion was part of his personal and spiritual growth. He said, "We were musicians, and that gave us more social freedom. People around us never had any objection to this."
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