AR Rahman wins Oscars for music

Rahman is a composer with a staggering range

Indian composer AR Rahman has won two Oscars for his work in Danny Boyle's Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire.

Rahman won an Oscar for the best score, and another for his song Jai Ho from the film, a rags-to-riches tale set in the slums of Mumbai.

He praised Slumdog Millionaire's theme of hope and optimism.

Rahman is the third Indian to win an Oscar, after costume designer Bhanu Athaiya for her work in Gandhi in 1983 and director Satyajit Ray in 1992.

British director Danny Boyle has won best director for Slumdog Millionaire, and the film also took best picture. Altogether, it netted eight awards.

Mumbai celebrations

Rahman, 43, picked up the Oscar for best original score before, minutes later, picking up a second for the best song.

"I just want to thank again the whole crew of Slumdog Millionaire, especially Danny Boyle, for giving me such a great opportunity," he said, while accepting the award.

The composer said he hailed "all the people from Mumbai and the essence of the film, which is about optimism and the power of hope and our lives".

He went on: "All my life I've had a choice of hate and love. I chose love, and I'm here. God bless."

The BBC's Prachi Pinglay in Mumbai says there have been celebrations in the slums of Mumbai, where two of the film's actors live.

Many slum dwellers have been watching the Oscar ceremony on television sets.

Rafique, the father of Rubina Ali - who portrays the youngest version of the leading lady Latika in the film - said: "It's a proud moment for India that the film has been awarded an Oscar. I am waiting for my daughter to return home with the stories."

A neighbour, Shameem, said Slumdog's success would spur the children in the area to succeed in life.

"Rubina should continue to act, she should not give it up. We are really happy for her," he said.