The teachers behind the success of A.R Rahman, Kohli and other legends

Behind every successful man, there’s a woman they say. But quite often, there’s a teacher as well. We take a look at the teachers who shaped the future of some of India’s most successful men. 

In an interview with the Times of India, Oscar winning legendary music composer A.R Rehman had talked about his initiation into the world of music. “ I learned from Dhanraj master (who also taught Ilaiyaraaja, my father and many other musicians), Jacob John. And then a unique teacher named Nithyanandam, who was a session player, taught me how to take notes. In those days, western classical music was taught by independent teachers, who were passionate about it. I learned the guitar from Divakar master. I also learned music from TV Gopalakrishnan and Gulam Mustafa saab. I learned Carnatic music from Dakshinamoorthy swamigal and Hindustani from Krishnanand. I had short lessons with them as I was also working and, like all Chennai musicians, went to Musee Musicals to do the Trinity College of Music examinations,” he said. 

Cricketing legend Virat Kohli had once mentioned on Instagram about Rajendra Sharma, his childhood coach who had a prominent role in his cricketing career. “For some, sport will always come second so I feel it’s very important to celebrate those who believed in you from day one. I am forever grateful to Rajkumar sir who has not just been a coach to me, but also a mentor who has supported me throughout my journey. I was just a boy who dared to dream but it was your belief that helped me don the Indian jersey 15 years ago. For every bit of advice, every batting lesson, every smack on my head, every pat on my back and for carrying my dream as your own, I want to thank you," Kohli expressed in his post. 

Other famous teacher-student combinations include Ramakant Achrekar and Sachin Tendulkar, Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Swami Vivekananda, Chanakya and Chandragupta Maurya and Dronacharya and Arjuna.