Oscars at Saint’s Feet

By Our Special Correspondent, "Oscars at saint’s feet" - The Telegraph - Calcutta, India
Sunday, March 1st, 2009

Kadapa: A.R. Rahman rushed to place both his Oscars before the tomb of a Sufi saint within hours of his arrival in India from Los Angeles.

The composer arrived at the Ameen Peer Dargah in Kadapa, 405 km [252 miles] southwest of Hyderabad, to pray at the Hazrat Khwaja Syed Shah Ameenullah Malik Urs on its third and last day.

After the special Friday prayers, the tahleel fateha, he told reporters he never missed Urs at the shrine since he had sought spiritual guidance from the Peer throughout his life, on personal and professional matters.

“I believe I was able to win the Oscars only because of the blessings of the Almighty and the Peer of Ameen Peer Dargah.”

Rahman — who wore a white pyjama, red kurta and the traditional white cap — arrived with his mother and brothers. He offered a chaddar and sought the Ameen Peer’s blessing. He knelt down to pray, with his family joining him.

Picture: A.R. Rahman at the dargah