When AR Rahman spoke about converting to Sufism, changing his original name Dileep Kumar: “My problem is killing or harming others in the name of religion...”

When AR Rahman spoke about converting to Sufism, changing his original name Dileep Kumar, “My problem is killing or harming others in the name of religion...”

• A R Rahman reflects on faith, unity, and his journey toward Sufism
• He values spirituality for inner discipline, not as a label or publicity tool
• Rahman sees music and concerts as spaces where divisions briefly dissolve

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As A R Rahman turns a year older today on January 6, it feels fitting to look back at one of the most thoughtful conversations the composer has ever had about faith, identity, and humanity. Long before global awards and sold-out concerts, Rahman was born as Dileep Kumar Rajagopala in Madras. Over the years, his personal journey would quietly evolve alongside his music, eventually leading him to Sufism and the name the world now knows him by.

Rahman has never treated spirituality as a marketing tool or a headline-grabbing statement. Instead, he has spoken about it sparingly and with introspection. In a recent throwback interview with Nikhil Kamath on a podcast, the composer opened up about his worldview with striking honesty. “I am a fan of all the religions, and I have studied Islam, Hinduism and Christianity,” he said, making it clear that his curiosity about faith has always been broad rather than narrow. What truly troubles him, however, is something far removed from belief systems. “My one problem is killing or harming other people in the name of religion,” Rahman stated.

For someone whose music has united people across languages, cultures, and borders, that sentiment runs deep. Rahman explained that when he performs, the experience transcends entertainment. “I love to entertain, and when I perform, I feel like it’s a shrine, and we are all enjoying the fruits of oneness. People of different religions, who speak different languages, all come together there,” he said, describing concerts as spaces where division briefly dissolves.

Opening up further about his spiritual path, Rahman spoke about what drew him toward Sufism. His explanation was philosophical rather than ritualistic. “Sufism is like dying before dying,” he said. “There are screens which will make you self-reflect, and in order to remove those screens, you have to perish. Lust, greed, jealousy, or judgementalism all need to die. Your ego is gone, and then you become transparent like God.” For Rahman, spirituality is less about labels and more about inner discipline and humility.

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Despite differences between religions, he believes there is a shared moral core that binds them. “The commonality of faith is what I love,” he explained. “We might be following different religions, but the sincerity of the faith is what is measured. That’s what makes us do the good things. Humanity is benefited by that.” He added that spiritual growth and material success are often intertwined. “We all need to be spiritually rich, because when spiritual richness comes, material richness follows.”

Rahman has reflected on this journey before as well. In his biography AR Rahman: The Spirit of Music by Naseer Munni Kabir, he recalled how both he and his mother embraced Sufism. “Nobody is forced to convert to the path of Sufism. You only follow if it comes from your heart,” he noted. He also referenced a teaching attributed to Jesus Christ that deeply impacted him: “I wish that you were cold and hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”

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Those words, Rahman said, helped him understand the importance of commitment. “These words taught me that it is better to choose one path,” he explained. “The Sufi path spiritually lifted both my mother and me, and we felt it was the best path for us, so we embraced Sufi Islam.” He also observed that their profession gave them a certain freedom. “We were musicians, and that allowed us greater social freedom.”

In the same interview, Rahman touched upon the less glamorous side of fame, sharing how public attention often overwhelms his personal life. He revealed that at social or family events, fans frequently surround him, making it difficult to even eat, with boundaries often ignored in the rush for photos and selfies.

As he celebrates another birthday today, Rahman’s reflections stand as a reminder that beyond the accolades and melodies lies a deeply contemplative artist, one who continues to search for unity, sincerity, and humanity in a noisy, divided world.