Mumbai: Renowned music composer A R Rahman, who has been nominated for the Golden Globe award for the best original score for "Slumdog Millionaire" today said that he wanted to win the award for India.

"The nomination itself has been a surprise for me personally. For India, it means a great deal. I want to win it for India," Rahman said talking to reporters at the music launch function via video conferencing from Chennai.

The music composer is celebrating his 42nd birthday today and was busy mixing the music for his forthcoming film "Delhi 6" before leaving for Los Angeles tonight where the award ceremony will be held on January 15.

He said that he was surprised when he heard about the nomination because he felt he had underworked to compose the score of this film.

Rahman said that being part of Danny Boyle's project came unexpectedly. "I never knew the film would fit into my schedule," he said.

Rahman described Slumdog Millionaire as a great master piece. "Danny was more like a friend than a typical British director. He absorbed India well and showed respect for everything Indian. What appealed me to this film was that it was an Indian film but from the western perspective and at the same time not diluting the essence of India," he said.

Rahman said that Danny did not like sentimental, sweet and sugary music. "He wanted something edgy. Music bridges all divides and gives a thought of compassion. This film is very symbolic of that feeling. It understands the culture of India," he said.

When asked how he had spent his birthday today, Rahman said that it was a low key affair due to the ten-day Moharram period.