AR Rahman Opens Up On Dealing With Suicidal Thoughts: 'My Mother Used To Say, When You Live...'

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posted on 10 months ago — updated on 1 second ago

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AR Rahman reveals the beautiful advice his mother gave him when he was suicidal in his youth.

AR Rahman’s melodies, spanning from soothing serenades to heart-wrenching ballads and joyous anthems, have woven themselves into the fabric of our lives. He has not just mastered but owned the music industry like no other. However, his life hasn’t always been rosy. Recently, he addressed the students of the Oxford Union debating society and opened up about the time he dealt with suicidal thoughts.

“When I had suicidal thoughts when I was young, my mother used to say, ‘When you live for others, you won’t get these thoughts’. That’s one of the most beautiful advice I got from my mother,” he said, as per a report in India Today. He further explained his philosophy of living for others.

“When you live for others, and you’re not selfish, there’s a meaning to your life. I took it very seriously, whether you’re composing for somebody, writing for something, buying food for a person who can’t afford it, or you just smile at someone, these are the things that keep us going. Also, we have limited knowledge about our future. There could be something extraordinary waiting for you. If you have all these things, and hope, that’s what keeps me going. Sometimes, I feel like I’ve done it all, that I’m in a repetitive cycle, and then you realise there’s a bigger role for you,” the report quoted him as saying.

“We all have dark times. One thing is definite; it’s a small little travel in this world. We were born, and we’re going to go. It’s not a permanent place for us. Where we’re going to go, we don’t know. (It depends) on each person’s own imagination and beliefs,” he later said, explaining why he doesn’t talk about spirituality any more as much.

DISCLAIMER: This news piece may be triggering. If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata).