Khatija Rahman

Khatija Rahman (born 29 December 1995) is an Indian musician from Chennai.

Life and career
She made her playback debut in the acclaimed 2010 sci-fi action feature Robot, singing the title track in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi alongside musical legends including her father A. R. Rahman and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. Khatija has also collaborated with iconic Irish band U2 on their 2019 single "Ahimsa", which showcased the power of non-violence; she performed this track for U2's 2019 Joshua Tree Tour in Mumbai.

Her debut album, ‘Kuhu Kuhu’ (2023), is a collection of melodic renditions that pay tribute to music luminary Lata Mangeshkar. Maintaining the songs’ original essence, this all-acoustic album also features the remarkable Firdaus Orchestra — an esteemed all-female ensemble from the U.A.E. The music video for the lead single of ‘Kuhu Kuhu’, “Piya Tose”, is particularly special as it presents a visual emblem of global representation and collaboration. Khatija also made a stellar debut as a music composer in 2023 with the film Minmini. The lead single, “Iru Perum Nadhigal”, is a mellifluous track about self-love and healing.

Khatija’s debut single, “Farishton” (2020), was a meditative and mesmerising invocation of solidarity and cultural harmony. Composed and produced by AR Rahman, with lyrics by celebrated songwriter Munna Shaokath Ali, “Farishton” was Khatija’s appeal for a healed world. The music video for the single was recognized at multiple global film festivals and received an honourable mention at the 2021 Los Angeles Film Awards.

Her 2023 Coke Studio India single “Sagavaasi” with Arivu too was met with widespread praise. She has also displayed a vast vocal range in film songs such as “Chinnanjiru (Marumurai)” from Ponniyin Selvan: II (2023), “Pranama Pranama” from Nayakudu (2023), “Tum Bhi Raahi (Reprise)” from Mili (2022), “Rock A Bye Baby” from Mimi (2021) and “Kaayam” from Iravin Nizhal (2022).

An important voice of her generation, Khatija was also a featured artist on Grammy Award-winning composer and environmentalist Ricky Kej’s 2020 song “Iltaja,” a track that embodies the message and importance of sustainability. Khatija has also sung on Rahman’s powerful 2022 Tamizh anthem “Moopilla Thamizhe Thaaye” alongside myriad incredible artists.