A Role Model Indeed

“Who is your role model?”.A typical teacher-to-class question.We were asked this question too and almost the whole class chorused with perfect coherence “Mahatma Gandhi” or “Sachin Tendulkar” (A typical class-to-teacher answer. I mean nobody would dare to deviate and say “Mumtaz” or “Mallika Sherawat” ie) be truthful). Personally I liked Gandhiji and Sachin very much. But were they actually my role models? I wasn’t sure. So till recent times I was that “spoilt brat” sans an idol.

Well,as a teenager living in Tamil Nadu meant I would hear a lot of AR Rahman on TV and radio. Most songs was awesome and all of us enjoyed it. The best aspect of his music was variety. Naturally he became my favorite. He dominated Indian music throughout the decade and even now. An indisputable champ even now to say the least. I didn’t know much about this Genius till about a couple of years ago. It was through orkut that I came to know about his early life. How tragedy struck their family when he was about 9years old, how and why he converted to Islam,what made him pursue music as a career.

We’ve heard of so many rags-to-riches stories, all very inspiring. But a more serious insight into this one made me wonder how many of us when in such financial crisis would pursue our true passion, what we love,what we desire?? Rahman could have easily become one of those infinite engineers or doctors and led an ordinary secure life. How many of us would risk studying music in Oxford under such family circumstances? Whether it was his commitment, talent or religious ways in life that made him what he is now, he seems tireless and humble to the core. One never gets tired of his music even those 1992 ones.

So finally, I can safely say I found myself a role model a differnet one and I’m proud to be his fan. Hail Rahman!