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ARR's Unity of Light World Concert Tour 2003

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.

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Responses:

• Old responses
  
• From: Are Yaar (@ 203.115.31.67) on: Fri Jan 31 21:43:45 EST 2003
  
  I am trying to recreate 10 years of music, from 1992 to 2002
  
  A.R. RAHMAN
  
  --------------------------------------------------
  10 years of Rahman, with a note in Bengali
  A STAFF REPORTER
  
  AR Rahman rehearsing at the Salt Lake stadium on the eve of his concert. Picture by Pabitra Das
  Calcutta, Jan. 31: It's still a surprise, but here's a sneak peek: A Rahman classic - one of the first - not in Tamil, not in Hindi, but in Bengali. The rest is under wraps till tomorrow evening, when the moon shines on The Telegraph Unity of Light concert, presented by Hero Honda in association with Emami Beauty Secrets by Madhuri.
  
  If the "translation" isn't treat enough for his formidable Calcutta fan following, he has more surprises up his synthesiser.
  
  Allah Rakha Rahman never takes his music lightly. Proof of this pudding will be in the hearing - all 56,000 watts of it. With over 70 musicians on stage, the man who shot to fame with Roja is doing his best to take his Calcutta fans inside his studio.
  
  "I am trying to recreate 10 years of music, from 1992 to 2002," he said, fidgeting like a schoolboy before an exam, barely 24 hours before he takes the stage for the first time in India.
  
  Rahman, who arrived in Calcutta late yesterday, spent the morning at the Salt Lake stadium, tinkering around on the keyboards, looking into the "teething trouble" even as the construction of the 90ft-by-70ft stage was in full swing.
  
  The music whizkid, who also made time for a trip to a Park Circus dargah, still travels with his family. Mother Kareema and sisters Rehana and Ishrat are with him in Calcutta. "My sisters sing with me. My mother came along... After all, someone has to pray!" smiled Rahman, casual in grey trousers and black full-sleeved shirt.
  
  Admitting that he is "not a performer, more a studio person", Rahman has been "getting over inhibitions" on foreign turf (he has previously performed in Malaysia, Dubai and the United States). "I thought that would be a good way to learn, before having shows here," he said, having never performed before a crowd comparable to the Salt Lake stadium capacity of 1,00,000. In Dubai and Malaysia, the Bombay and Bombay Dreams boy drew a maximum crowd of 40,000.
  
  Those working with the man himself don't take his performance anxiety as a negative, rather the mark of a perfectionist. "It is Rahman's vision to deliver the same quality of sound of the studios," explained H. Sridhar, chief sound engineer for the music director-singer since "well before the Roja days".
  
  "His presence is something magical for us... and for audiences. He can always feel the pulse. Even if he changes two notes, he can work miracles," Sridhar added. In terms of sound input and technology and number of musicians, Sridhar feels the first Unity of Light extravaganza, co-sponsored by National Insurance and ITC Sonar Bangla, is "bigger than any concert in India", so far.
  
  It is also bigger than any of Rahman's gigs abroad, according to Deepak Gattani, managing director of Rapport Global Events, which managed the foreign tours and has worked closely with the music man to conceive the show.
  
  "Rahman is a shy man, not vociferous at all... But he is getting used to performing and wanted to put up a show which involved communication," says the Mumbai-based Gattani. So there are sections designed for the audience to sing along with the pros on stage.
  
  , with a line-up of S.P. Balasubramanyam, Udit Narayan, Hariharan, Sonu Nigam, Shankar Mahadevan, Sukhwinder Singh, Sadhana Sargam, Mahalaxmi Iyer and Vasundhara Das.
  
  And as Rahman walks to the distant ends of the stadium to make sure everything is just right, while the sun sets on Salt Lake stadium on the evening before the show, "performance anxiety" gives way to a man immersed in his music.
  
  http://www.telegraphindia.com/1030201/asp/frontpage/story_1628750.asp
  
  
• From: time to reckon (@ 65.176.168.225) on: Fri Jan 31 22:32:30 EST 2003
  
  Without any prejudice, is anyone enjoying to Rahman or even film songs these days? I think this show is wrongly timed and could prove otherwise for Rahman. He has lot momentum in India totally and this will be a real letdown. why all this
  
  
• From: barani (@ 216.209.77.231) on: Sat Feb 1 17:25:17 EST 2003
  
  i want 2 ARR bring up unnikrishan in dis pragram
  
  
• From: j guru (@ 64.170.119.252) on: Sat Feb 1 19:24:23 EST 2003
  
  This is publicy stunt pulled by Mr ARR. First of all he keeps saying Mahesh was his close friend - which is a big joke.
  
  He is trying to do some damage control for his lost Market Share with a charity show. this guy is one of the biggest con man on earth.
  
  
• From: ARR_RULZZZ (@ 202.4.190.67) on: Sun Feb 2 01:42:01 EST 2003
  
  Magic, fireworks, Rahman rhythm
  - Debut concert wows 80,000 with hits and local touch
  OUR BUREAU
  
  AR Rahman performs at The Telegraph Unity of Light concert in Calcutta. Picture by Pradip Sanyal
  Calcutta, Feb. 1: Eighty-thousand spectators, 56,000 watts of sound, over 70 musicians, dozens of dancers, 10 singers, one winner — the rhythm of a man they all call Rahman.
  
  He appeared in a shower of white and gold. As a dazzling curtain of sparks came down, Allah Rakha Rahman stood in the spotlight, at his Yamaha keyboard, playing the first notes of his first live concert in India.
  
  He disappeared in a blaze of muted glory. As the 90-by-70 feet stage filled up with performers, Allah Rakha Rahman stood in the spotlight, mike to mouth, playing the last notes of his first live concert in India.
  
  Between Don’t worry Kolkata, and Jana Gana Mana, between the fiery entry and the final bow, The Telegraph A.R. Rahman’s Unity of Light concert — presented by Hero Honda, in association with Emami Beauty Secrets by Madhuri, supported by ITC Sonar Bangla and National Insurance — had set the Salt Lake stadium alight, quite literally. Living up to the theme unifying the seven colours that form light and the seven notes that make music, the entire stadium was bathed in the light of paper mashaals held aloft in the stands as the sound of Rahman and Sukhwinder’s Chhaiya, Chhaiya cast a magic spell.
  
  After a brief delay, having been held up in a concert-bound traffic snarl on the EM Bypass, Rahman could do no wrong for three-and-a-half hours. The man in black overcoat won ’em over with a local touch at the very beginning. “I was told that Calcutta is the best place to have my first concert. So here we are,” he said. “Kolkata, Kolkata, don’t worry Kolkata… Aamra tomari Kolkata,” he sang.
  
  And the response to the man and his music was deafening. Enough to make the maestro softly remark at the end of the first of his 10 concerts around the world: “I am overwhelmed by the response. The people of Calcutta were fantastic. I couldn’t have hoped for a more encouraging start.”
  
  The theme of music as a unifying force extended beyond just the name of the evening extravaganza.
  
  “Music doesn’t have a religion. It doesn’t have any of the harmful things man possesses today,” said the melody-maker. In London he had met Rashid, the guitarist who shared the stage with him, tonight. Rashid, a jazz player who had told Rahman he liked his music and was welcomed to the world tour, sang the wordless intro to Ooh la la la… before handing it over to Rahman and "the rapper" Blaze. Later, Rahman and Rashid teamed up for a Bombay Dreams number.
  
  With an array of artistes who have sung to Rahman's tunes over the years popping in and out, the line-up was formidable – S.P. Balasubramanayam, Sonu Nigam, Hariharan, Udit Narayan, Sukhwinder Singh, Shankar Mahadevan, Sadhana Sargam, Mahalaxmi Iyer and Vasundhara Das (referred by Rahman as the "most happening singers" around). But all eyes – and ears -- were on one man.
  
  “Magician” and “music maestro” is what Pawan Munjal, managing director Hero Honda, had to say about the composer during a felicitation at the halfway mark of the concert. But that was only a brief pause in the roller-coaster ride of the top chartbusters of the past decade. The love anthem – Roja. The peppy number – Radha kaise na jale. The rabble rouser – Humma, Humma. The tribute to cricket, Bollywood-style – Mitwa. The ode to the nation – Bharat humko jaan se pyaara hai (with Rahman starting off on a giant piano before returning to the keyboard in his 'studio').
  
  At a pause, while Rahman was tinkering with his keys and running his hand, yet again, through his sweat-soaked mop of unruly hair, “Vande Mataram” was a solitary cry that rose from a dark corner of the crowded stadium. The call was answered over an hour later, but it was well worth the wait.
  
  "What, I can't hear you," smiled the maestro, as the cry for Vande Mataram reached a crescendo. As if on cue, a burst of fireworks lit up the night and the stage was set for Rahman to rock to his own rhythm. Ma Tujhe Salaam he sang, in the middle of the stage, the Tricolour flying high on the giant screen above, as mother Kareema clapped and the crowds stood to salute the keyboard king.
  
  They remained on their feet as Jana Gana Mana filled the February night. Clearly, the rhythm of Rahman rules.
  
  
  - THE TELEGRAPH, KOLKATA
  
  
• From: ARR_RULZZ (@ 202.4.190.67) on: Sun Feb 2 01:44:03 EST 2003
  
  80,000 spectators in Kolkata. wow !!!!!!
  
  Hats off to the humble man from Chennai. You are truly THE KING of modern Indian music.
  
  
• From: Pam (@ 202.51.148.249) on: Sun Feb 2 11:54:06 EST 2003
  
  ARR rulez forever!!!!!!!!
  
  
• From: Are Yaar (@ 203.115.31.67) on: Tue Feb 4 23:47:00 EST 2003
  
  All vaiththerichchal parties..don't come to this thread..You can't digest facts.
  --------------------------------------------------
  
  Maestro bows to a miracle
  - 'I thank the audience for its encouragement and the mosquitoes of Salt Lake stadium for not bothering us'
  OUR BUREAU
  
  A.R. Rahman with mother Kareema, moments before their departure on Sunday evening. "The people of Calcutta have given me the confidence for the rest of my Unity of Light concerts" were the composer's parting words. Picture by Pabitra Das
  
  Silence had descended over Salt Lake stadium late on Friday. The final rehearsal for next evening's The Telegraph A.R. Rahman's Unity of Light concert was over. Suddenly, the solitary figure of Allah Rakha Rahman slipped behind his keyboard and played a little bit of magic - 'Zindagi ek safar hai suhana/Yahan kal kya ho kisne jana...' As the last notes of the Kishore Kumar classic melted away, Rahman's wistful eyes followed them into the distant darkness of the deserted stadium.
  
  'Kal' (Saturday) had something special in store for Rahman and Calcutta. Same time, same place, the night after, the melody maestro was still on stage. But as his first live concert in India drew to a close, he was surrounded by 80,000 devotees.
  
  "This is a miracle," Rahman was to whisper to a confidant, even as he stepped off the stage. From there, he headed straight for the airport dargah. For the entire Rahman team, the real miracle moment was when the paper torches lit up the stands, with the crowd on its feet, dancing to Chhaiya Chhaiya, and then singing Ma Tujhe Salaam.
  
  "I have to thank the audience for its encouragement, the Almighty for the weather and the mosquitoes of Salt Lake stadium for not bothering us. They were such a problem during the rehearsals, every time we opened our mouths to sing, they would sneak in," Rahman said on Sunday.
  
  There were more than a few technical hitches on Saturday evening, but the afternoon after, Rahman could look back with a smile. "The sound let us down but it was the crowd that lifted us and pulled us through. From 2 pm, hours before the show, there were these kids coming in. It was quite moving," he recounted, after a leisurely lunch, with mother Kareema, sisters Rehana and Ishrat, and troupe.
  
  Hours before that, he had dropped into MusicWorld on a mission. For 25 minutes, he browsed through the Bengali folk and film sections of the Park Street store, picking and choosing with the meticulous care of a man immersed in music. By the end of his stay, he had picked up quite a mix (see box).
  
  During the afternoon chat, Rahman explained why: "I picked up Ray's films and Baul songs, which I want to use in my future shows." In green shirt and blue jeans, gone was the anxious fidget or the fingers-through-hair routine. In place was a relaxed performer after a job very well done, obliging young fans with autographs and acknowledging all the adulation.
  
  This was not the Rahman that his team had known for the past two frenzied days. Either rehearsing at the stadium or conferencing with technicians, he was here, there, everywhere. "The night before, he was just praying," said youngest sister Ishrat. And on the big night, reticent Rahman made an extra effort to connect. As a member of his retinue said: "I have never seen him open up so much or speak so much on stage."
  
  The composer clearly gave the Calcutta show his all - even planning an aerial shot of the stadium on concert night, but scrapping it at the last minute due to logistical problems. "We aimed for the skies but at least we ended on the roof," he smiled, before retiring to his ITC Sonar Bangla room for a last round of prayers prior to his departure.
  
  http://www.telegraphindia.com/1030203/asp/calcutta/story_1632120.asp
  
  
• From: Are Yaar (@ 203.115.31.67) on: Tue Feb 4 23:48:41 EST 2003
  
  Legacy of hope
  
  Mahesh Mahadevan fought cancer not just bravely, but cheerfully. His family and friends will carry his mission to battle the killer disease. The Mahesh Memorial Trust has begun the fight.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  MAHESH MAHADEVAN was a brave man. He fought cancer in a novel way - by refusing to take it seriously. He made light of his illness. Whenever the music composer had to undergo a blood transfusion, he would call himself "Dracula Mahesh". On the phone, he would introduce himself as "Dracula Mahesh speaking", remembers wife Chitra.
  
  Even after cancer cut short his life, Mahesh's battle continues for he lives on in the legacy he has bequeathed to Chitra and the numerous friends he made during his lifetime. He has gifted them his resolve to hunt down cancer. They will have to continue the battle against the killer disease.
  
  In his will, the composer has urged them to form a trust, which will aid and support institutions involved in the treatment of cancer and create public awareness about the disease. With the formation of the Mahesh Memorial Trust, his friends have fulfilled his wish. The list of trustees reads like the city's "who's who" directory and includes Kamal Hassan, Mani Ratnam and former cricketer K. Srikkanth.
  
  "The trust will leverage what institutions involved in cancer treatment are already doing; raise the level of awareness of the disease; provide financial aid to economically challenged patients; organise counselling and support for cancer patients and their families; and support any other form of activity associated with the fight against cancer," says P. Jayendra, an ad film maker. "There will be greater focus on prevention, and instilling confidence in the patients that there is life beyond cancer."
  
  The trust has already committed that it will donate Rs. 35,000 per month for a period of six months to the Cancer Institute towards paediatric cancer care.
  
  Music has played a big role in Mahesh's life. He had composed over 250 ad jingles and won the National Award for "Nammavar". It brought Mahesh and Chitra together. "We were too musically inclined not to take the same road together in life," says Chitra. The trust plans "to encourage and initiate the study, development and composition of music in all its myriad forms".
  
  A.R.Rahman will perform live in Chennai on February 21, 2003, as part of his "Unity of Light - World Tour". Proceeds of the show will go towards the Mahesh Memorial Fund. Assures Mani Ratnam, "The show will be one of its kind." "We have all experienced the `Mahesh effect'. We are doing all this for a dear friend," says Kamal Hassan.
  
  His friends have produced a documentary on his life and mission, which was screened recently at a press meet. In one frame, you see the man in the company of friends, strumming a guitar. Freeze that frame, and you get a picture of the man's personality. Gregariousness was his defining quality.
  
  

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