When you hear the name Khadija Rehman, you think of controversies related to the way she dresses until recently. The name was full of controversies and its sequels in the media and social media for a long time. Back then, the daughter of legendary musician AR Rahman, the director of his foundation, was addressed everywhere as a singing girl. Khadija came under fire for wearing a burqa to ask him a question on the 10th anniversary of her father’s Oscar-winning film, Slum Dog Millionaire.
AR Rahman also had to listen to the accusations that he raised his daughter to be too religious and conservative. But Khadija faced the controversies with extreme maturity, clarity and without hesitation. Clearly writing her part on her social media account, she declared that her dress is her only freedom, that it brings her closer to God and gives her more freedom to go out into society. Ever since Khadija clarified her position, we all started listening to her songs and not just her words. Apart from being the daughter of the icon AR Rahman, Khadija’s stance and songs are equally attracting attention.
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Khadija sang her first song during her school days in Chennai. Fourteen-year-old Khadija sang the song ‘Puthiya Puthya Manita’ from Yanthiran in three different languages. Khadija came to the studio on the insistence of her mother Zaira Banu, who was afraid to go to school and have an exam the next day. That was where she started as a playback singer. It was her mother who first realized that Khadija had a talent for singing. Khadija has said that it was her mother’s prayer that led her back to the path of music. For eight years, there was no thought of singing in front of Khadija, who concentrated on studies and social work. The song ‘Farishto’ comes at the end of that time when he has to realize which is his path.
The song, about a girl’s solitary journey to spirituality through different cultures, has reached Hindi, Tamil and Urdu. Ilteja, sung to the tune of Grammy-winning musician Ricky Cage, and Ahimsa, sung with Irish rock band U2, gained international attention. Later, she sang the female version of the song Tum Bhi Rahi in the film Mili, in the film Iravin Nizhal, which was set to the tunes of AR Rahman. Also the song Chinnanjir Nilawe in the second part of Pinnitipol Ponniyan Selvan. In between, Khadija sang another much-noticed song. The song ‘Sagavasi’ sung by Khadija with Ariv in the first song of the popular Coke Studio’s Tamil platform launch made a big splash in the Indian parallel music scene; And hope. People have listened to this song more than two crore times on YouTube. Another thing is that even when all the songs get attention, ‘Farishto’ stands out more beautifully.
Rather than singing a lot of songs, Khadija prefers to be a part of good projects with meaningful lyrics. Khadija has a clear vision not only in singing but also in career and life. They have not hesitated to say it openly. That’s why father AR Rahman openly said that he is proud of his daughter who fought alone against controversies and crises. Khadija, who speaks logically and courageously with her own faith and preferences, is spreading the light of a better future for the female world.