Maestro in Madras: Rahman in Chennai
A big thanks to Times of India for arranging the show of A.R.Rahman in Chennai. Maybe, its a business gimmick to improve their sales, but as long as they are able to come up with such quality shows, no complaints.
It was a sweet shock to me, when I came to know, just minutes before the starting of the program, that Rahman is accompanied by Hariharan, Shankar Mahadevan, Karthik, Naresh Iyer, Javed Ali, Blaaze, Sadana Sargam, Madhushree, Rehana and Chinmayi. A cluster of real stars in one stage, ready to enthrall !
Starting with Jaagey Hain from Guru, Rahman went on to bind us all to the atmosphere with a perfect blend of Tamil and Hindi songs: Azagiya Tamizh Magan, Dil Se, Varaaga Nadhi, Sivaji, Sandana Thendral, New York Nagaram and all Jodha Akbar songs (except Manmohana). A treat to any Rahman fan. There was also an unexpected tinge, when Azeem-O-Shaan Shahenshah was fused with Rukkumani from Roja and Veerapandi Kottai from Thiruda Thiruda.
The most unexpected thing was perhaps the entry of Nithyashree. She came in her traditional 'kutcheri' attire, silk saree and jewels, and sat in the center stage along with a nadhaswaram player. She began to perform Ragam Thanam in Aabheri raga, and had us all wondering for a moment if she was going to perform Singara Velanay. Then she went on to sing Kannodu Kaanbadhellam from Jeans, and it added the Carnatic bit to the show.
And Shivamani, well, that guy is awesome. Give him anything, an empty bubble top water can, or a VIP suitcase, and he will turn it into the prototype of an all new percussion instrument ! Just cool man ! His 'thani-aavarthanam' with mridhangam and thavil was simply awesome.
The only thing that could have been better was the ground conditions. Hopefully, next time TOI will arrange a better auditorium for people to sit and enjoy the show better.
It was a sweet shock to me, when I came to know, just minutes before the starting of the program, that Rahman is accompanied by Hariharan, Shankar Mahadevan, Karthik, Naresh Iyer, Javed Ali, Blaaze, Sadana Sargam, Madhushree, Rehana and Chinmayi. A cluster of real stars in one stage, ready to enthrall !
Starting with Jaagey Hain from Guru, Rahman went on to bind us all to the atmosphere with a perfect blend of Tamil and Hindi songs: Azagiya Tamizh Magan, Dil Se, Varaaga Nadhi, Sivaji, Sandana Thendral, New York Nagaram and all Jodha Akbar songs (except Manmohana). A treat to any Rahman fan. There was also an unexpected tinge, when Azeem-O-Shaan Shahenshah was fused with Rukkumani from Roja and Veerapandi Kottai from Thiruda Thiruda.
The most unexpected thing was perhaps the entry of Nithyashree. She came in her traditional 'kutcheri' attire, silk saree and jewels, and sat in the center stage along with a nadhaswaram player. She began to perform Ragam Thanam in Aabheri raga, and had us all wondering for a moment if she was going to perform Singara Velanay. Then she went on to sing Kannodu Kaanbadhellam from Jeans, and it added the Carnatic bit to the show.
And Shivamani, well, that guy is awesome. Give him anything, an empty bubble top water can, or a VIP suitcase, and he will turn it into the prototype of an all new percussion instrument ! Just cool man ! His 'thani-aavarthanam' with mridhangam and thavil was simply awesome.
The only thing that could have been better was the ground conditions. Hopefully, next time TOI will arrange a better auditorium for people to sit and enjoy the show better.
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