Who Is Khatija Rahman? AR Rahman's Daughter To Lead New All-Women Band

Indian music composer A. R. Rahman recently announced the launch of a new all-women band called Rooh-e-Noor led by Rahman’s daughter Khatija Rahman and featuring Pooja Tiwari, Sana Aziz, Shaoni Mojumdar, Amina Rafiq, and Shifa Ruby. The group has been created under Rahman’s own musical label, KM Musiq, with Kannika Urs serving as the project head.

Rooh-e-Noor is all set to make its world premiere debut at the Tanweer Festival on 21 November in Sharjah, UAE. This marks the beginning of a new and refreshing chapter in India’s music scene, especially since all-girl bands are still uncommon in the country.

AR Rahman introduced the band as an experiment in voice and devotion. “Rooh-e-Noor isn’t just a band; it’s a light that connects hearts,”The Print quoted him as saying.

Who is Khatija Rahman?

Khatija Rahman is a singer, composer, and music producer who began her musical journey at the age of 14 with the song Puthiya Manidha from the film Enthiran (2010). Her music is known for its peaceful, spiritual, and soulful style.

In 2019, she collaborated with the international rock band U2 on the single Ahimsa, and in 2020, she released her emotional and spiritual track Farishton.

She made her debut as a composer for the Tamil film Minmini in 2024, marking a new phase in her career. Through her work, Khatija aims to spread messages of peace, unity, and faith, and her art reflects her deep connection to Sufi philosophy and spirituality.

In 2021, she announced her engagement to the aspiring entrepreneur Riyasdeen Shaik Mohamed. He works with AR Rahman and Amit Trivedi as a sound engineer. 

Rahman’s Rooh-e-Noor brings a fresh direction to this space. It stands out for its musical aesthetic and spiritual undertone. The band aims to perform reimagined versions of classics, popular film compositions, and spiritual pieces.