Rahman pays quiet visit to Dargah 27 Feb 2009, 2343 hrs IST, TNN
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Text:
CHENNAI: There were no drumbeats, confetti or loud cheers. But it could
be the most satisfying homecoming for Oscar hero' A R Rahman when he
paid a quiet
visit to the 234-year-old Hazrath Dastagir Sahib Dargah here on Thursday
morning for a thanksgiving prayer.
This is where a young Rahman, an up-and-coming musician then, came seeking
divine blessings some 20 years ago. His pir, Syed Shah Kareemullah Hussaini
Khadari, who rechristened him as Allah Rakha Rahman, has also been laid to
rest within the premises, which also houses a mosque and a burial ground.
Rahman paid a quiet visit to the dargah on Thursday morning itself, within
hours of returning home to a tumultuous welcome. Only a bunch of
alms-seekers, seated at the entrance, were present at that time and they
were clearly surprised to see the VVIP pilgrim in the wee hours.
"He came around 6.30 am, accompanied by two men, and went straight to the
mosque and dargah and later paid respects at the grave of his pir. He was
here for nearly half an hour. He didn't bring the (Oscar) statuettes,
though," a construction worker said.
Sixty one-year-old Allah Baksh Aarzoo, a sweeper at the dargah for the past
40 years, said, "I greeted Rahman saying, Welcome Oscar hero. You are the
moon of the world.' He smiled and said, Oh. You were the one to give that
interview (to TOI)."
Talking to TOI on the day Rahman won the Oscars, Aarzoo had recounted the
musician's visit to the dargah after winning the Golden Globe and how he had
greeted him as "Oscar hero," expressing confidence that Rahman would
definitely win the coveted award.
Committee members said the musician had chosen to offer Friday prayers at
another dargah on Anna Salai, apparently to avoid the media glare and
causing inconvenience to other worshippers.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chennai/Rahman_pays_quiet_visit_to_Dargah/articleshow/4202882.cms
--
regards,
Vithur
