Topic started by Anon (@ 202.41.76.192) on Fri Jan 10 23:11:30 EST 2003.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.
Will kick off at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on March 1st. Other Indian venues are Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad. International venues are Dubai, Toronto, Fairfax(In Virginia) and two other venues in the USA. Possible additions could be London, Singapore. Lata Mangeshkar will perform on the international leg of the tour.
Responses:
- Old responses
- From: Kaumudi (@ 136.142.20.209)
on: Sun Feb 16 12:50:26 EST 2003
Are Yaar
Thanks a lot for those couple of emails-converted-into-reviews. I so wished I were there to witness this event. But then, these reveiws of yours have acted as a substitute.
Av
I agree with you. Lata after 90s doesn't display even 50% of the finesse of her vintage voice. But then, the songs that sang for ARR were just for her! I possibly can't imagine "Ek tu hi bharosa" and "O paalanhaare" sung by anyone, not even Asha (although I am die-hard fan of AB). Lata has aged and so did her voice. It should be treated with some respect in trying to make her sing in movies - the way ARR does. She singing for the likes of Kajol and Twinkle Khanna (for e.g.,) should be avoided by MDs.
- From: Are Yaar (@ 203.115.31.67)
on: Mon Feb 17 03:55:49 EST 2003
With lot of thanks to kaumudi and AV, I am duty bound to say that the above review posted by me is not my own review. It is a review by a person who happen to watch the performance from near the stage (infact back of the stage). I do not wish to reveal his name. I have not even got his permission to post his review here. It is just that I was really moved by his review and wanted to share the same with you people.
I am not luckky to attend a ARR's concert yet.
- From: Are Yaar (@ 203.115.31.67)
on: Mon Feb 17 03:57:21 EST 2003
Check out for Chennai concert tickets
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http://www.sifymall.com/cgi-bin/bvsm/shopping/content/ar_rahman.jsp?ReferrerID=SIFYHP
- From: Are Yaar (@ 203.115.31.67)
on: Mon Feb 17 04:02:02 EST 2003
Rahmania!
A.R. TUJHE SALAAM: The composer on a high note.
"HYDERABAD, HYDERABAD, Don't worry Hyderabad," he started off and for the next four hours it was magic, fireworks and rhythm. It was electrifying.
The giant stage at GMC Balayogi stadium, a huge congregation of spectators, thousands of watts of music, 40 and odd musicians, back-up singers, the brightest stars and a maestro at work. It was Allah Rakha Rahman. As the dazzling curtain of sparks came down, it was over to Rahman.
Playing his first notes of his first ever concert in Hyderabad in his trademark black overcoat, unkempt and long locks, the musician looked like a boy-next-door. It's when he speaks thru his music, one realises that the techno-savvy composer is a genius, playing untiringly on his keyboard.
Lata Mangeshkar
From behind-the-scenes, he took centrestage on Friday evening and set the stadium alive. It was a musical frenzy whipped up by two geniuses - Lata Mangeshkar and Rahman. Lata cast a spell with her `Jiya jale... ' and the entire stadium swayed with her.
The venue throbbed with melody and music. The line-up was impressive. S.P. Balasubramanyam, Hariharan, Sonu Nigam, Sadhana Sargam, Sukhwinder, Udit Narayan, Vasundhara Das, Mahalaxmi, G. Srinivas and others. The irrepressible percussionist, Sivamani, was there too.
Hariharan
If Balu came up with `Roja janeman... ,' Hariharan had the audience in raptures with `Nellore nerajana... ,' `Tu hi re... ' Udit crooned `Mitwa... ' and `Radha kaise na jala... ' while Vasundhara had the crowd swinging to her `Shaka laka... ' number. The response was deafening.
Even as he worked wonders on his synthesiser, Rahman had the gathering on its feet dancing to his chartbuster, `Chaiyya, chaiyya... ' with Sukhwinder at his best.
Vasundhara Das
The `Bombay Dreams' boys drew applause after applause. When someone cried for `Vande Mataram... ', the whiz smiled: " I can't hear you." And `Maa tujhe salaam... ' followed. A burst of fireworks lit up the sky as he put his soul into the number.
That music is a unifying force summing up the Unity of Light concert was proven with everyone standing up and chorusing `Jana gana mana...'
Sure, the rhythm of Rahman rules.
By Lalith Singh T.
Photos: P.V. Sivakumar
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/lf/stories/2003021601640200.htm
- From: Are Yaar (@ 203.115.31.67)
on: Tue Feb 18 02:29:11 EST 2003
Chennai Tickets are at 40% discount
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http://www.myvalueshop.com/uoltickets.asp
- From: Cheenu (@ 203.199.205.25)
on: Wed Feb 19 02:31:04 EST 2003
""""techno-savvy composer is a genius"""""
what an abuse of the word "genius" . A guy who can't produce one good song per year is a genius.
Should I call Vidhya Sagar a "super genius" , then what with runaway hits like "Gemini", "Run" and "anbe Sivam"...
- From: Villain (@ 202.188.25.63)
on: Wed Feb 19 07:01:28 EST 2003
At least people call ARR a genius.
Unlike Ilayaraaja who called himself a genius and asked to be called Isai Gnyaani.
Hahahahahaha!
What a shameless fellow and what mindless fans!
- From: av (@ 132.206.52.124)
on: Wed Feb 19 12:33:57 EST 2003
are yaar:
My goof-up. "baabhul mora" is a duet by K L Saigal and Kanan Devi. Its from the 1938 film street singer.
- From: Cheenu (@ 203.199.205.25)
on: Thu Feb 20 04:45:41 EST 2003
Villain , you should be a clever villain not a stupid villain.
1. I call Dr IR a genius. Where is the question if IR calling himself a genius! Did you over-haer it?
2. Why don't you call Vidhya sagar a super-genius?
- From: curses (@ 219.65.109.145)
on: Thu Feb 20 11:35:21 EST 2003
Cheenu..
Gemini was composed by Vidyasagar..
Compared to the standards Rahman has set (International.. if ur still being smug about ur 'brilliant' comments) VS may be considered 'gen' the 'ius' is yet to come.
ARR may fall under the supergenius category.
- From: Are Yaar (@ 203.115.31.67)
on: Fri Feb 21 03:06:50 EST 2003
Message to cheenu:
---------------------
ENO is the best medicine for gasteric problems.
-----------------------------------------------
Actual posting on ARR concert
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Vijay TV sees numbers in mega events - Looks to A.R. Rahman show for spikes in viewership
Rina Chandran
CHENNAI, Feb. 20
IT is billed as the biggest show ever in Tamil Nadu, and his first ever concert in his hometown.
The A.R. Rahman Unity of Light concert in Chennai on Friday is being promoted with unprecedented enthusiasm on billboards, in newspapers, at bookstores, in grocery chains - and on Vijay TV. For the Tamil channel, which has the exclusive telecast rights of the show, this is the second mega event in as many months that it has put its name to.
In December, the channel partnered Netru Indru Naalai, a live event featuring Tamil stars like Kamal Hassan, Simran, Rambha, Abbas and several well-known playback singers. The four-hour event drew a crowd of about 20,000 and 18 sponsors, said Mr Ajay Vidyasagar, General Manager, Star Vijay.
"It was almost embarrassing to have so many sponsors - but they all recognised that we were providing them a unique opportunity to do everything from product sampling to promos that could increase sales," Mr Vidyasagar said.
The "media orchestration" plan enables advertisers to be present across all media and marketing channels, he said. For `Netru ... ', Vijay kicked off the marketing of the event six weeks before, and assisted sponsors with ideas for branding activities. Bajaj, for example, ran a promo for test-riding the Pulsar before the show, and MTR engaged in a sampling exercise at the venue.
"Typically, the relationship of an advertiser with a TV channel is only a 30-second commercial," Mr Vidyasagar said. "The event gave brands an opportunity to do everything else - and that's a very attractive proposition." The exercise has cemented Vijay's relationship with advertisers, especially since the event was a "runaway success commercially, too," he added, without revealing the costs or the revenues.
Vijay TV telecast the show a couple of weeks later in two parts with a repeat, and that garnered TRPs six to eight times that of a regular daily soap, Mr Vidyasagar said. Besides, the event raised funds for The Banyan, an institute for mentally ill destitute women in Chennai, so it also helped the channel fulfil its corporate responsibility objective, he added.
Similarly, the Rahman show, part of his World Tour, is raising funds for the Mahesh Memorial Trust for victims of cancer. Besides Rahman, there are performances by well-known playback singers like S.P. Balasubramaniam, S. Janaki, Unnikrishnan and Hariharan and other artistes. More than 40,000 people are expected to attend. Major sponsors include Hero Honda, LIC, United India Insurance and Gold Winner cooking oil. The show will be filmed by noted director Mani Ratnam and telecast on Vijay in hi-definition format in April, Mr Vidyasagar said. The channel plans to put its name to a big live event every quarter; the spikes in advertiser and viewer interest and the enormous branding it receives act like a "tent pole", he said.
"Our programming philosophy is to have a daily staple of soaps and serials for the core consumer, the housewife, and a set of these tent poles every quarter," he said. "This is imperative for any brand, and it is a model that works very well for TV stations worldwide." Of course, the logistical challenges of a live event are huge, and there is the risk of mishaps, which may reflect badly on the channel. But the channel has been diligent and lucky so far, Mr Vidyasagar said. "And we're happy to do it in a manner that gives something back to society."
Since Star took over the operations of Vijay, the channel has focused on quality content and entertainment-based programming, rather than just blockbuster movies. This strategy has paid off, Mr Vidyasagar said, claiming that ad revenues have been growing steadily, especially since last November. "We are providing advertisers with a smarter, cleverer environment," he said.
http://www.blonnet.com/stories/2003022101730600.htm
- From: Are Yaar (@ 203.115.31.67)
on: Fri Feb 21 03:09:26 EST 2003
It's showtime, folks!
It will be A.R. Rahman's first performance in Chennai, his hometown, tomorrow, when the curtains go up at the India Pistons Grounds, Taramani. SAVITHA GAUTAM speaks to some of the people behind the show.
"IT IS a show that has been a long time coming," says director Mani Ratnam. "A rocker of a show, that's what it will be," says playback singer Srinivas. "It will be an audio visual spectacle, never before seen or heard in the city," says sound engineer H. Sridhar.
Well, there's been a lot of hype for over a month now and there is anticipation in the air. For, it is a show that Chennaivasis have been looking forward to... for ten years. A.R. Rahman in a live concert.
When the curtains go up tomorrow evening (7.00 p.m.), for the "Unity of Light" show at the India Pistons Cricket Ground in Taramani, it will be a moment that will go down in the city's history as a memorable one.
Allah Rakha Rahman, who shot to fame with his evergreen melodies for Mani Ratnam's "Roja" in 1992, is a name that spells magic, be it in Kashmir or Kanyakumari (pardon the cliché).
Currently on a world tour, he has successfully wooed music lovers in Kolkata (he sang the Bengali version of "Mustafa Mustafa". It was translated by Usha Uthup) and Hyderabad (there were Telugu versions of hit tracks and the added attraction was the participation of the legend, Lata Mangeshkar). It's Chennai's turn now.
Mani Ratnam states, "In fact, Rahman had originally not planned a concert in Chennai. But when we approached him, he agreed at once." Ratnam, who is helping in the event management, is all praise for the support offered by the Government, the Police department and corporates in putting up a show of such magnitude.
The concert will kickstart a crusade - that of the Mahesh Memorial Trust. Formed to lend a helping hand to cancer patients, specially children, the trust was started in memory of music director Mahesh Mahadevan, who succumbed to the deadly disease a few months ago. Mahesh had a dream... to help fellow sufferers. It remained unfulfilled during his lifetime. But his family and friends would not let that dream fade. Says Chitra, his wife, "Mahesh smiled through his illness. He always wanted to help cancer patients. In fact, one of the objectives of the trust is to create greater awareness about the disease." As part of the efforts, Rahman spent some time with young patients at the Cancer Institute, a couple of days ago.
Remembers Mani Ratnam, who is one of the trustees, "Mahesh was a great guy who was full of life. He loved people and could relate to everybody. He was a fighter till the end." Playback singer Srinivas, who has been part of most Rahman shows, remembers Mahesh fondly. In fact, it was Mahesh who helped him find a foothold in the film industry. Says he, "This is an important concert for me as it is about two special people - Mahesh and Rahman."
The line of performers at the show reads like a directory of who's who of playback singing - S.P. Balasubramanium, S. Janaki, Srinivas, Unnikrishnan, Hariharan, Chitra, Sujatha and Sadhana Sargam, to name but a few. Many of the younger singers have been introduced by Rahman. Then there are supporting artistes such as flautist Navin, violinist Kalyan, percussionist Sivamani, the string and brass sections, and of course, the vocalists. The repertoire will be a combination of the old and the latest, from "Roja" to "Laagan", and perhaps "Bombay Dreams".
Says singer Sujatha, whose rendition of "Netru Illadha Maatram" won her the National Award, "I am really excited about the concert. There's a lot of positive energy all round. What's more, the songs being performed are the original versions." She is happy to be part of something that is for a cause. She adds, "Rahman always tells us, `Don't worry too much about the singing. Just enjoy what you are doing.' That's what we hope to do."
"Since it is Rahman's first show in his hometown, the expectations are very high. We have to produce a top quality show, and therefore the pressure on the support team is very high," says the National Award winning Sridhar.
As for the cause, it is something that is close to Sridhar's heart as Mahesh was his first cousin. "I have grown up listening to Mahesh play the guitar. I have learnt a lot from him."
"We are hoping to present an audio visual spectacle that will be remembered for a long time to come. And like Rahman says, it's payback time now. This is a way of showing our gratitude for all the support fans have given us." Special equipment have been flown in for the show. Explains Sridhar, "The best systems that are used by some of the top rock artistes such as Bob Dylan will be utilised in this concert. The vertical array of speakers will ensure even and clean sound. We want the music to sound as good as it does when recorded in a studio."
How different will the Chennai show be in comparison with the Kolkata and Hyderabad ones? Says Srinivas, "To begin with, 80 per cent of the songs will be in Tamil. And at the risk of repeating oneself, this is the first time Chennai will hear one of its famous musicians perform live."
The show is being choreographed by up-and-coming dance director Terence Louis, while the lighting will be handled by two experts, one from the U.S. and the other from the U.K. Rapport Global Systems is event-managing the show.
Rahman will be off on his world tour following the show to perform in Dubai, London, New York and Los Angeles.
As for you readers,will you be one among the 40,000 who are expected at the venue?
(Tickets priced at Rs. 3,000, Rs. 2,000, Rs. 1,250, Rs. 750, Rs. 500 and Rs. 250, are available at the HDFC Bank, Landmark, Odyssey, Higginbothams, Global Adjustments, Crafts and Weaves, Foodworld outlets, Marrybrown and Konica.)
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2003/02/20/stories/2003022000110100.htm
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