Khatija Rahman

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Khatija Rahman
Born (1995-12-29) 29 December 1995 (age 29)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupations
  • Singer
  • composer
Years active2010–present
FatherA. R. Rahman
RelativesA. R. Ameen (brother)
Raheema Rahman (sister)[1]
FamilyR. K. Shekhar family
Musical career
Genres
Instrument
  • Vocals
Labels

Khatija Rahman[a] (born 29 December 1995) is a music composer and singer from Chennai, India.[2][3][4]

Life and career

[edit]

Khatija Rahman made her playback debut in the acclaimed 2010 sci-fi action film Enthiran, singing the title track in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi alongside musical legends including her father, A. R. Rahman, and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam.[5][6][7]

She was overwhelmed with the good response of the song and hence took a 7-year break and focused only on her studies and non-profit work. She resumed training in 2018 and got back into music.

In 2019, she collaborated with the iconic Irish band U2 on their single "Ahimsa", which emphasized the power of non-violence. She also performed the track during U2's Joshua Tree Tour in Mumbai the same year.[8]

Khatija released her debut single, "Farishton", in 2020. The song, composed and produced by A. R. Rahman with lyrics by Munna Shaokath Ali, was a meditative invocation of solidarity and cultural harmony.[9][10] Its music video was recognized at multiple international film festivals and received an honourable mention at the 2021 Los Angeles Film Awards. In the same year, she was a featured artist on Grammy Award-winning composer Ricky Kej’s song "Iltaja", a track highlighting sustainability.

She continued to showcase her versatility with film songs, including "Rock A Bye Baby" from Mimi (2021), "Tum Bhi Raahi (Reprise)" from Mili (2022),[11] and "Kaayam" from Iravin Nizhal (2022). She also contributed vocals to Rahman's 2022 Tamizh anthem "Moopilla Thamizhe Thaaye", collaborating with multiple artists.[12][13]

In 2023, Khatija released her debut album Kuhu Kuhu, a collection of melodic renditions paying tribute to the legendary Lata Mangeshkar. The all-acoustic album features the Firdaus Orchestra, an esteemed all-female ensemble from the United Arab Emirates. Its lead single, “Piya Tose”, was accompanied by a music video symbolizing global representation and collaboration.[14] She also made her debut as a music composer with the film Minmini,[15] releasing the lead single “Iru Perum Nadhigal”, a song centered on self-love and healing.[16] That year, she further demonstrated her vocal range with songs such as “Chinnanjiru (Marumurai)” from Ponniyin Selvan: II (2023), "Pranama Pranama" from Nayakudu (2023), and her Coke Studio Tamil single "Sagavaasi" with Arivu, which received widespread acclaim.[17]

Discography

[edit]

Film songs

[edit]
Year Song Film Composer Lyricist Co-singer(s) Language Notes Ref.
2010 "Puthiya Manidha" Enthiran A. R. Rahman Vairamuthu A. R. Rahman, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam Tamil [18][19]
"O Maramanishi" Robo (dubbed-language from Enthiran) Suddala Ashok Teja A. R. Rahman, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Srinivas Telugu [20]
"O Naye Insaan" Robot (dubbed-language from Enthiran) Swanand Kirkire A. R. Rahman, Srinivas Hindi [21]
2021 "Rock A Bye Baby" Mimi Amitabh Bhattacharya Julia Gartha Hindi [22]
"Rihaayi De" A. R. Rahman Hindi Backing vocals [23]
2022 "Kaayam" Iravin Nizhal R. Parthiban Soundarya Bala Nandakumar, Veena Murali, Deepthi Suresh, Sowmya, Elfe Choir Tamil [24][25]
"Tum Bhi Raahi (Reprise)" Mili Javed Akhtar Solo Hindi [26]
2023 "Chinnanjiru (Marumurai)" Ponniyin Selvan: II Ilango Krishnan A. R. Rahman Tamil [27]
"Minnanchula Vennelaa (Reprise)" Ramajogayya Sastry A. R. Rahman Telugu [28]
"Mera Aasmaan Jal Gaya (Reprise)" Gulzar A. R. Rahman Hindi [29]
"Pranama Pranama" Nayakudu (Dubbed from Maamannan) Rakendu Mouli Vijay Yesudas Telugu [30]
"Niraye" Philip's Hesham Abdul Wahab Anu Elizabeth Jose Hesham Abdul Wahab Malayalam
"Vizhigal Seraa" Sangeeth Ravindran Hesham Abdul Wahab Malayalam
2024 "Anbalane" Lal Salaam A. R. Rahman Yugabharathi Deva, Deepthi Suresh Tamil Backing vocals [31]
"Ulagam Oru Naal" Maidaan Snehan Shridhar Ramesh Tamil [32]
"Thaaraa Gaganamlo" Saraswathi Putra, Ramajogayya Sastry Sarath Santosh Telugu [33]
"Maanja Nee" Ayalaan Sivakarthikeyan, A. R. Rahman, thoughtsfornow A. R. Rahman, A. R. Ameen Tamil Backing vocals [34]
"The Silent Sovereignty" Ponniyin Selvan: II Backing vocals

Film background scores

[edit]
Year Film Song Singer(s) Director Music director Composer Lyricist Language Notes Ref.
2025 Thug Life "Ave Maria" Khatija Rahman, Adam Greig Mani Ratnam A. R. Rahman Franz Schubert Walter Scott German [35]

Non-film songs

[edit]
Year Song Album Composer Lyricist Co-singer(s) Language Notes Ref.
2019 "Ahimsa" Single U2, A. R. Rahman Traditional U2, A. R. Rahman English and Tamil [36]
2020 "Farishton" Single A. R. Rahman Munna Shaokath Ali Urdu [37]
2020 "Farishtha" Single A. R. Rahman Mashook Rahman Tamil [38]
2020 "EK" Iltaja Ricky Kej IP Singh, Lonnie Park, Dominic D'Cruz, Ricky Kej Varijashree Venugopal, Manoj George, Arun Kumar, Aparna Ramakrishnan Hindi [39]
2020 "The 99 Names" Single Sami Yusuf Chorus Sami Yusuf, Raihanah, Isshrathquadhre, Raheema Rahman Arabic [40]
2020 "Hum Haar Nahin Maanenge" Single A. R. Rahman Prasoon Joshi A. R. Rahman, Clinton Cerejo, Mohit Chauhan, Mika Singh, Harshdeep Kaur, Jonita Gandhi, Neeti Mohan, Javed Ali, Sid Sriram, Shruti Haasan, Shashaa Tirupati, Abhay Jodhpurkar Hindi
2021 "Amna Bibi" Sing A Lullaby Traditional Traditional Gurupriya Atreya, Vedanth Bharadwaj Hindi [41]
2022 "Moopilla Thamizhe Thaaye" Single A. R. Rahman Thamarai A. R. Rahman, Saindhavi Prakash, A. R. Ameen, Amina Rafiq, Gabriella Sellus, Poovaiyar, Rakshita Suresh, Niranjana Ramanan, Aparna Harikumar, Nakul Abhyankar Tamil [42]
2023 "Sagavaasi" Coke Studio Tamil (Season 1) Arivu Arivu Arivu Tamil [43]
2024 "Woman of Power" Single Sterlin Nithya Lavita Lobo Lavita Lobo, Sterlin Nithya English
2025 "Engal Thamizhe" Indie track Vilva Vilva Vilva Tamil
2025 "Shukrana" Single Asad Khan Raqueeb Alam English and Urdu Islamic devotional song [44]

Albums

[edit]
Year Album Song Composer Lyricist Co-singer(s) Language Notes Ref.
2023 Kuhu Kuhu "Piya Tose Naina Lage Re" Sachin Dev Burman Shailendra Firdaus Orchestra Hindi [45][46]
"Aap Ki Nazron Ne Samjha" Raja Mehdi Ali Khan Madan Mohan Firdaus Orchestra Hindi [47]
"O Sajana Barkha Bahar" Salil Chowdhury Shailendra Firdaus Orchestra Hindi [48]
"Kuhu Kuhu Bole Koyalia" P. Adinarayana Rao Bharat Vyas Firdaus Orchestra, Sarthak Kalyani Hindi [49]
"Bekas Pe Karam Keejiye" Naushad Shakeel Badayuni Firdaus Orchestra Hindi [50]

Compositions

[edit]
Year Film Song Singer(s) Lyricist Director Language Notes Ref.
2024 Minmini "Iru Perum Nadhigal" Shakthisree Gopalan Halitha Shameem Halitha Shameem Tamil [51][52][53]
"Minmini Nee" Sarthak Kalyani, Sireesha Bhagavatula [54]
"Uyirai" Suryansh [55]
"Jananam" Khatija Rahman, Sireesha Bhagavatula [56]
TBA Lioness Kajri Babbar English [57][58]

Voice-overs

[edit]
Year Film Actor Director Producer Writer Language Notes Ref.
2021 99 Songs Edilsy Vargas Vishwesh Krishnamoorthy A. R. Rahman Vishwesh Krishnamoorthy, A. R. Rahman Tamil For Tamil version
2025 Stardust – – Pollachi Papyrus and Faraway Originals Pankaj Singh English [59]

Live performances

[edit]
Title Date Venue Performed song(s) Shows Attendance Ref.
The Joshua Tree Tour 2019 15 December 2019 DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai Ahimsa 1 42,590
World Children's Day Concert at Expo 2020 21 November 2021 Al Wasl Plaza, Dubai – 1 –
Wings of Love: The AR Rahman Sufi Experience 19 March 2023 Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai – 1 –
TEDxGateway Opening Act Performance 4 June 2023 NCPA, Mumbai – 1 –
Marakkuma Nenjam Concert 10 September 2023 Adityaram Palace City, Chennai – 1 45,000
South Side Story 31 August – 1 September 2024 Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi – 2 –

Talks and speeches

[edit]

Rahman has also spoken at distinguished platforms such as the UEF World Summit and TEFCON in recent years.

Date Conference Theme Organizer Venue Notes Ref.
5 December 2020 UEF World Summit Entrepreneur Success Stories United Economic Forum (UEF) Chennai
22 October 2021 TEDx Talks Art, Diversity and Activism in the Digital Age TedxYouth@LMGC La Martinière Girls' College, Lucknow [60]
1 July 2022 TEFCON The Impact of Soft Power in the Knowledge Economy Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America (FeTNA) St. John's University (New York City)
13 August 2022 International Youth Conference Gift of Kindness Heartfulness, UNESCO MGIEP, AICTE Kanha Shanti Vanam, Hyderabad
26 May 2024 HER Story Empowerment and Inspiration MediaOne TV De Montfort University, Academic City, Dubai

Honours and awards

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominated work Awarded by Result Ref.
2017 Trailblazer Award – – Bhumi NGO Won
2020 Trend Setter Award – – Global Women Inspiration Awards and Conclave Won [61]
2020 Empowering Woman Award – – One Life NGO Won
2021 Coastal Star Award – – Rotary Club of Chennai Coastal Won [62]
2024 IMW Indian Award Best Debut Music Director of the Year Minmini Indian Media Works Won [63]
2024 M. S. Viswanathan Award Sensational Debut Award Minmini V4 Entertainers, Cinema Factory Won
2024 Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards Best Music Composer (Songs) Minmini Ananda Vikatan Nominated [64]
2025 Devi Awards For remarkable contributions to music and art – The New Indian Express Won [65]
2025 SIIMA Best Music Director – Tamil Minmini Vibri Media Nominated [66]

Notes

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  1. ^ Tamil: கதீஜா ரகுமான், Tamil pronunciation: [kɐt̪iːd͡ʑaː ɾɐkʊmaːn]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ K, Janani (12 September 2023). "AR Rahman's concert fiasco: Daughters Raheema, Khatija defend composer". India Today. Chennai. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Fans are in love with AR Rahman's daughter Khatija Rahman and Arivu's Coke Studio Tamil song Sagavaasi". The Indian Express. New Delhi. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  3. ^ Chaubey, Pranita (14 June 2022). "More Pics From AR Rahman's Daughter Khatija's Wedding Reception". NDTV. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  4. ^ "AR Rahman's daughter Khatija gets married to audio engineer Riyasdeen". The Hindu. 6 May 2022. Archived from the original on 6 May 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  5. ^ "Puthiya Manidha (புதிய மனிதா) Song | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Khatija Rahman | Enthiran". Gaana. 31 July 2010. Archived from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  6. ^ "O Maramanishi from Robo". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  7. ^ "O Naye Insaan – Song Download from Robot @ JioSaavn". JioSaavn. 31 July 2010. Archived from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  8. ^ "A.R. Rahman and U2 collaborate on new track 'Ahimsa' before band's visit to India". The Hindu. 22 November 2019. Archived from the original on 24 November 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  9. ^ P Basheer, Intifada (18 November 2020). "'Farishton Is An Attempt To Show The Beauty Of Diversity', AR Rahman's Daughter Khatija". Outlook. Retrieved 24 April 2023. Khatija Rahman says the character of the song's protagonist Amal is based on herself, and the song, partly inspired by Rumi's teachings, traces Amal's longing to explore the unknown.
  10. ^ Singh, Anvita (28 October 2020). "Khatija Rahman's Farishton is a beautiful composition". The Indian Express. New Delhi. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  11. ^ "Mili film's song Tum Bhi Raahi releases; A.R Rahman number shows romance between Janhvi Kapoor and Sunny Kaushal; watch". Bollywood Hungama. 27 October 2022. Archived from the original on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  12. ^ Scroll Staff (26 March 2022). "'Moopilla Thamizhe Thaaye': Musician AR Rahman and daughter Khatija's new song for Tamil new year". Scroll.in. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  13. ^ "Moopilla Thamizhe Thaaye: AR Rahman's uplifting, melodious ode to Tamil". Cinema Express. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2023. The song has vocals by Saindhavi Prakash, Khatija Rahman, AR Ameen, Amina Rafiq, Gabriella Sellus and Poovaiyar
  14. ^ "Khatija Rahman, AR Rahman's daughter, releases debut album 'Kuhu Kuhu'". The Tribune. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  15. ^ Entertainment Desk (12 June 2023). "AR Rahman's daughter Khatija to make debut as composer in Halitha Shameem's Minmini". The Indian Express. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  16. ^ "Anirudh Ravichander launches 'Iru Pernum Nadhigal' from 'Minmini'; a feel-good road trip song". Times Entertainment. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2024. Composed by Khatija Rahman, there is a level of subtlety and serenity in the lyricism
  17. ^ Entertainment Desk (3 February 2023). "Fans are in love with AR Rahman's daughter Khatija Rahman and Arivu's Coke Studio Tamil song Sagavaasi". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  18. ^ "Puthiya Manidha by S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, A.R. Rahman & Khatija Rahman". Apple Music. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  19. ^ Kumar, Divya (2 August 2010). "Music to the ears". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 February 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  20. ^ "O Maramanishi by S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, Srinivas D. & Khatija Rahman". Apple Music. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  21. ^ "O Naye Insaan by Srinivas D. & Khatija Rahman". Apple Music. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  22. ^ "Rock A Bye Baby". Spotify. 16 July 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  23. ^ "Rihaayi De". Spotify. 16 July 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  24. ^ "Kaayem by A.R. Rahman". Apple Music. Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  25. ^ "Kaayem by A.R. Rahman". Spotify. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  26. ^ "Tum Bhi Raahi – Reprise". Spotify. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  27. ^ "Chinnanjiru (Marumurai)". Spotify. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  28. ^ "Minnanchula Vennelaa (Reprise)". Spotify. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  29. ^ "Mera Aasmaan Jal Gaya (Reprise)". Spotify. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  30. ^ "Pranama Pranama". Spotify. 1 June 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  31. ^ "Anbalane". Spotify. 26 January 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  32. ^ "Ulagam Oru Naal". Spotify. 18 March 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  33. ^ "Thaaraa Gaganamlo". Spotify. 18 March 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  34. ^ "Maanja Nee". Spotify. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  35. ^ Rahman, Khatija (8 July 2025). "Ave Maria ft Khatija Rahman". Instagram. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  36. ^ "Ahimsa". Spotify. 22 November 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  37. ^ "Farishton". Spotify. 28 October 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  38. ^ "Farishtha". Spotify. 28 October 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  39. ^ "Iltaja". Spotify. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  40. ^ "The 99 Names". Spotify. 1 May 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  41. ^ "Amna Bibi (Sing A Lullaby)". Spotify. 22 October 2021. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  42. ^ "Moopilla Thamizhe Thaaye". Spotify. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  43. ^ "Sagavaasi". Spotify. 1 February 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  44. ^ "Ahimsa". Spotify. 31 March 2025. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  45. ^ "Khatija Rahman, AR Rahman's daughter, releases debut album 'Kuhu Kuhu'". The Tribune. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  46. ^ "Piya Tose Naina Lage Re". Spotify. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  47. ^ "Aap Ki Nazron Ne Samjha". Spotify. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  48. ^ "O Sajana Barkha Bahar". Spotify. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  49. ^ "Kuhu Kuhu Bole Koyalia". Spotify. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  50. ^ "Bekas Pe Karam Kijiye". Spotify. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  51. ^ Features, C. E. (24 July 2024). "Full album of Halitha Shameem's Minmini out". Cinema Express. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  52. ^ "Minmini Songs: Minmini MP3 Tamil Songs by Khatija Rahman Online Free on Gaana.com". Gaana. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  53. ^ "Iru Perum Nadhigal". Spotify. 9 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  54. ^ "Minmini Nee". Spotify. 9 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  55. ^ "Uyirai". Spotify. 9 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  56. ^ "Jananam". Spotify. 9 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  57. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (22 November 2023). "Khatija Rahman Makes International Composing Debut with 'Lioness': 'She's a Rebel,' Says Father A.R. Rahman (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  58. ^ "Khatija Rahman to make her international debut with 'Lioness'". The Hindu. 22 November 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  59. ^ "Stardust". YouTube. 6 April 2025. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
  60. ^ "TEDxYouth@LMGC". ted.com. Ted (conference). 23 October 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2024. Khatija Rahman is a musician, philanthropist and future entrepreneur based in Chennai, India.
  61. ^ Rahman, Khatija (1 November 2020). "Trend Setter Award". Instagram. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
  62. ^ Rahman, Khatija (12 April 2021). "Coastal Star Award". Instagram. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
  63. ^ Rahman, Khatija (22 December 2024). "IMW Indian Award". Instagram. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
  64. ^ Rahman, Khatija (30 May 2025). "Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards". Instagram. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  65. ^ "Honouring the spirit of 'devis' in Chennai". The New Indian Express. 29 January 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2025. Joining these powerhouses was Khatija Rahman, who began her singing career working with her father AR Rahman.
  66. ^ Awards, SIIMA (22 December 2024). "SIIMA 2025 Best Music Director Tamil". Instagram. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
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