MUMBAI: Oscar winning music maestro A R Rahmnan has been voted as the Indian of the year in a poll conducted by MSN for its readers. Winning with a thumping majority, among a line-up of leaders from politics, business and non-government sectors the ace musician got a clear public mandate securing 22 per cent of the votes leaving behind the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Gandhi, Nandan Nilekani and Madhavan Nair.

The 'Mozart of Madras' has pocketed several national and International awards this year. His track 'Jai Ho' from Slumdog Millionaire put him on world map after he won the much acclaimed Oscars as well as the Bafta. The musician has also been nominated for Grammy Award. Earlier this month, Rahman was also voted as the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year award 2009 in the entertainment category with competition from the likes of  Amitabh Bachchan, Katrina Kaif, Ranbir Kapoor, Prince Group of Orissa and Colors Entertainment Channel.