CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF A.R. RAHMAN, THE MAN WHOSE MUSIC DOES THE TALKING

Two Academy Awards, two Grammys, one BAFTA, a Golden Globe, four National Film Awards, 15 Filmfares, 16 Filmfare Awards South, and the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award given by the Government of India—are just the tip of the iceberg that AR Rahman is.

Allah-Rakhka Rahman, the Mozart of Madras, is undoubtedly the biggest music composer the country has ever seen. His popularity has reached a high where he is not considered just a musician anymore—he is an enigma, the face of Indian music across the world.

Rahman started of his journey back in the year 1992 with the super-hit Tamil film Roja for which he was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Music Direction, Filmfare Award for Best Music Director–Tamil and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director. Roja also found a place in TIME magazine's "10 Best Soundtracks" of all time in 2005. Twenty five years after Roja, Rahman's stature as both a musician as well as a human being only continues to grow.

To bring in this special milestone in his career, the maestro is gearing up for a 2 hour concert in New York at the IIFA Awards on July 14. Rahman was in Delhi to promote the awards which honours Indian cinema on the global stage and in an exclusive interview to a leading portal the musical maestro said, "I think music is a combination for me at the same time innovation. It's not losing its earthiness, the connectivity to myself and to the listener."

Now since we can't thank him enough for all the mesmerising music he's blessed us with, we decided to list down our favourite A.R. Rahman songs of all time; our own small way of paying a tribute to the modern day legend.

1. Roja Jaaneman, Roja 

Looking for a synonym to bliss? Here!

2. Maa Tujhe Salaam, Sony Music 

Goosebumps? Check.

3. Kehna Hi Kya, Bombay 

Who says only Shah Rukh Khan can spread love?

4. Chaiyya Chaiyya, Dil Se 

Remember dancing to this one? We do!

5. Ye Jo Des Hai Tera, Swades 

Keep a box of tissues ready if you're away from home.

6 . Kun Faaya Kun, Rockstar 

We still think Rockstar is the finest OST Hindi cinema has ever seen. And this one is just the cherry of that cake.

7. Jai Ho, Slumdog Millionaire 

Bow down to the Oscar winner!

8. Yeh Delhi hai mere yaar, Delhi 6

Who else can explain Delhi better in 3 minutes? No one, we bet.

9. Maahi Ve, Highway 

The go-to song!

10. OK Jaanu, OK Jaanu 

The Saathiya feels, anyone?

We at Bollyy wish A.R. Rahman all the success and good health and we wish he keeps bowling us over with his melodies. Bow Down to the King of Music.