Music composer AR Rahman humbled to have a street named after him in Canada

Indian music composer AR Rahman took to Twitter on Monday to express how humbled he was to find out that the city of Markham in Canada has named a street after him. The singer, known for his work in Rang De Basanti and Slumdog Millionaire, penned a post thanking the authorities and his countrymen for “all the love”.

Taking to Twitter, the ‘Jai Ho’ singer wrote, “Honoured and grateful for this recognition from City of Markham and Frank Scarpitti and the people of Canada.”

The note shared by Rahman read, “I never imagined this ever in my life. I am very grateful to all of you, the Mayor of Markham,Canada (Frank Scarpitti) and counsellors, Indian Consulate General (Apoorva Srivastava) and the people of Canada.”

He also explained the meaning behind his name and said AR Rahman is not his and that it means “merciful”. “The merciful is the quality of the common God we all have and one can only be the servant of the merciful. So let that name bring peace, prosperity, happiness and health to all the people living in Canada. God bless you all.”

The 55-year-old singer also thanked his countrymen for “all the love” and all the creative people who worked with him, inspired him to rise up and celebrate one hundred years of cinema. “I am a very small drop in the ocean,” he wrote.

Rahman has been composing music for nearly three decades for India’s massive film industry. He has worked for multiple films, the most famous being Lagaan, Tamasha, Jodhaa Akbar, Highway, Rockstar and Swades. He also wrote in the note that the honour to have a street named after him makes him feel responsible and instilled in him more strength to continue with his work and not retire.

“I feel like this gives me immense responsibility to do much more and be inspiring; not to get tired and not to retire… yet. Even if I get tired, I’ll remember that I have more things to do, more people to connect, more bridges to cross,” he added.

Rahman recently composed music for films Ponniyin Selvan: I that marks as Aishwarya Rai’s onscreen comeback, Tamil-language film Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu and war memoir Pippa staring Ishaan Khatter and Mrunal Thakur.