The ultimate Show- AR Rahman

I was supposed to be in London for my birthday, and had planned to go to the beach and celebrate, when my friend Sami called me up and suggested we go to see AR Rahman, as he was playing that day at the O2 Arena. From that moment, when I knew I would be in the same room as AR, i started having butterflies.

The day of my birthday, I barely did anything but listen to his songs, and get ready to see him. I was so nervous as if I was really going to meet him, but in a way, I was. And boy, did I meet him!

When entering we saw people from all races, countries, all over the world, it was amazing!

The show was magical. It was a audio-visual treat. Each song had its own visualisation, ballet dancers, kathak dancers, salsa dancers, hiphop dancers and of course Bollywood dancers! Acrobats, trapeze artists, you name it, all types of performers. The best of the best of enterntainers/artists were present at this amazing show. This is and always the beauty of Rahman, that he can bring together so many people and their talents.

The band was split in half and were on the 2 sides of the stage, and they really were AMAZING. Amongst the singers were Hariharan, Shaan, Benny Dayal and other South Indian (mainly) singers! Hariharan of course stole the show with his gorgeous voice and presence, but each and every one of the musicians up there were the completely fantastic and were really at their best!

The show was split up into segments, the set changing every couple of songs (when that set would finish). 
Hopefully the pictures i took from one of the back rows will do some justice

My first glance of Rahman:

The stage:


The first few segments were mainly beautiful dancers visualising the songs, joined in by the singers at certain points.
 

Bombay Theme:



The half way through there was a India segment where Hariharan makes his entrance clad in an Indian flag, singing "Bharat humko jaan se pyara hain" flowing into my favourite version: "Tamizha Tamziha."


My heart was bursting in joy when the intro riff of Lukhha Chupi was playing, and on top of that missing my Bondhu Tahmid, with whom I spend hours and hours talking of Rahman, in fact our friendship is very based on our love for this man. And he loves this song in the special way i do.

They had a beauitful visual of Lata Mangeshkar not on the screen but on the curtains of the set itself. Was so special and sweet:


Maximum of the show was the South Indian songs and South Indian versions of the songs we know in Hindi. I really appreciated that, that they sang the versions that were dearer to them. Plus 70% of the audience seemed to be South Indian too.

There was a solo part for Rahman and just his piano, and then he was joined by another amazing singer for a jazzy south indian song.



My 2nd favourite part was of course the Indian Classical Segment. Most of the singers came back on stage clad in traditional Indian dress. AR Rahman on Harmonium, a Tabla, a Bass and an Accoustic Guitar and the group singing chorus with Hariharan opening "Bhor Bhayee" from the Delhi 6 Soundtrack. Hariharan then continues with some more classical pieces. This led to Shaan coming to the front with a few songs, and then eventually a medley of some Rahman classics like "Piya Piya" from "Zubaida" and "Khilli Chandni" etc...
 





The segments jumped from fun songs From "Pappu can't dance" to a  Michael Jackson tribute of "Black and White" to "Mehndi Hain Rachne Wali" covering the many genres this genius can blend and master.






The CLIMAX: the part that really touched me from within, took me from being a spectator of a show to being just one with Rahman was the Sufi Section. Rahman, clad in a white kurta and hat on harmonium and 2 Sufi Singers and a Tabla player. The amazing singer started off with a beautiful prayer song with verses from the Quran intertwined with the lyrics...Then Rahman joined in and the led to "Khwaja meri Khwaja." It was something else, the most beautiful I've ever heard or seen.
Those moments, I think, that was the one of the closest I've ever come to God.


























The show ended with Humma Humma:
 





Audience Singing Humma Humma:


And the encore was of course : Jai Ho and closing the show with Vande Mataram






My favourite Picture :D :D 


The amazing Musicians being applauded by the other performers:

Of course at the end there were chief guests and sponsore to thank haha

Sridevi with the closing credits:


Leaving in hundreds:


Of course there were  a few flaws, hiccups, trouble in sound etc. But the show got much better towards the middle (ie when Hariharan came and stole the show) and especially when they did the slower songs (call me biased)

But nothing can top the genius-ness i witnessed. the New arrangements, the beautiful choreography, the flawless singing and mostly the spiritual touch it had on the audience.

Here is a clip i found online:


But all in all, from a wannabe musicians point of view, I felt like a tiny insect of a singer in the midst of this world full of talent and excellence, but in a very positive way. The energy and effort was obvious yet so nonchalant it was extremely impressive, that just thinking of the show makes me want to run home and practice more, just to reach even half the heights these talented ppl are.

I have never loved Rahman as much as I did, and it was the most special birthday I've ever had, though I really really missed Sami (who didnt end up going) and my bondhu Tahmid.


Here's a link for all the pictures I took: AR Rahman @ The O2











Rahman's affect on my life has been on many levels, musically, spiritually and in some way the my luck (maybe someday I'll write about that story too). Time flew so fast at the show, came out just when my birthday was ending and all I wanted to do was go home and get all the Tamil Albums I realised that I dont have! The coolest thing about the show was that I realised there are many many songs left for me to discover, so now i'm sitting here listening to some Tamil songs, and planning how to catch another show hehehe..


JAI HO!!