Rahman returns home after Oscar triumph

Music maestro A R Rahman, the first Indian to win two Oscars, returned to Chennai to a rousing welcome by his fans and friends

Music maestro A R Rahman, the first Indian to win two Oscars, returned to his home city of Chennai to a rousing welcome by his fans and friends in the wee hours of today.

Resul Pookutty, the other Indian to win an Oscar, also arrived in Mumbai

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Welcome back: A R Rahman is escorted out by policemen as he arrives at Chennai airport after receiving two Oscars, for best original score and best song, for Slumdog Millionaire. PIC/AP

Rahman (43), who won the Oscars for Best Original Score and Best Song for his compositions in Slumdog Millionaire at the 81st Academy Awards, arrivedu00a0in Chennaiu00a0from London by an Emirates Airways flight at around 2.30 am.

A large number of people, who waited at the airport for the 'Mozart of Madras', cheered as he emerged out of the international terminal to the beats of drum specialist Sivamani and his troupe.

Kerala's "Kottu Melam" (percussion instrument) artists gave a performance on behalf of the Indian Airlines. On behalf of the state government, Tamil Nadu Information Minister Parithi Ilamvazhuthi received Rahman with a bouquet at the airport terminal.

A visibly happy Rahman waved at the crowd acknowledging their support before leaving for his home. Rahman was born in a musically affluent family in Chennai on January 6, 1966.