By Mabel Pais

AR Rahman, India‘s musical genius, premier composer, singer-songwriter, music producer, musician, multi-instrumentalist and philanthropist performs live in Newark, New Jersey at the Prudential Center on Friday, August 12, 2022 at 8:00 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Described as the “world’s most prominent and prolific film composer” by Time magazine, his works are notable for integrating Eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and traditional orchestral arrangements.

Director Baz Luhrmann notes:

“I had come to the music of A. R. Rahman through the emotional and haunting score of ‘Bombay’ and the wit and celebration of ‘Lagaan.’ But the more of AR’s music I encountered the more I was to be amazed at the sheer diversity of styles: from swinging brass bands to triumphant anthems; from joyous pop to West-End musicals. Whatever the style, A. R. Rahman’s music always possesses a profound sense of humanity and spirit, qualities that inspire me the most.“

He has won two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe, four National Film Awards, fifteen Filmfare Awards and thirteen Filmfare Awards South in addition to numerous other awards and nominations.

His extensive body of work for film and the stage earned him the nickname “the Mozart of Madras” and several Tamil commentators and fans have coined the nickname “Isai Puyal” (English: Music Storm). In 2009, Time placed Rahman in its list of the World’s Most Influential People.

TICKETS

Tickets can be reserved at Ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be purchased in person by visiting the Prudential Center Box Office located at 25 Lafayette Street in Newark, N.J.

AR RAHMAN

AR Rahman has won two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe, four National Film Awards, fifteen Filmfare Awards (the Indian equivalent of the Oscars) three MTV awards, four IIFA awards, six Tamil Nādu State awards, six Zee awards, four Screen awards, in addition to numerous other awards and nominations. He has also been given the prestigious Padma Shri  (one of the highest civilian honors in India) award by the Government of India in the year 2000 for outstanding contribution to the Indian film industry.

Rahman is widely considered the man who single-handedly revived public interest towards Indian film music. In 1991, noted filmmaker Mani Ratnam offered Rahman create the score for the movie ‘Roja’ which was a run-away success and brought nationwide fame and acclaim to the composer.

Rahman followed up ‘Roja’ with ‘Gentleman,’ ‘Thiruda Thiruda,’ ‘Kaadhalan,’ ‘Bombay’ and ‘Minssara Kannavu’ all of which were huge chartbusters and were dubbed in Hindi as well. Other hits in Tamil include ‘Alaipayuthey,’ ‘Kandukondein,’ ‘Jeans,’ ‘Mudalvan,’ ‘Kannathil Muthamittal,’ ‘Boys,’ etc.

His foray into Hindi movies started off with a big bang in the superhit ‘Rangeela’ followed by ‘Dil Se,’ ‘Taal,’ ‘1947/Earth,’ ‘Pukar,’ ‘Lagaan,’ ‘Zubeida,’ ‘Meenaxi,’ ‘The Legend of Bhagat Singh,’ ‘Yuva,’ ‘Tehzeeb’ amongst others all of which had huge album sales. His more recent releases include, ‘Swadesh,’ ‘Ah-Aah,’ ‘Bose: The forgotten hero,’ ‘The Rising,’ ‘Water’ and ‘Rang De Basanti’ all of which have been critically acclaimed and well received.

In 2001, Andrew Lloyd Webber, the well-known composer of musicals like ‘Phantom of the Opera,’ ‘Cats,’ ‘Jesus Christ Superstar,’ etc. invited Rahman to compose for the musical, ‘Bombay Dreams,’ which opened to packed houses at London’s West end. The show had an unprecedented run for 2 years and later premiered at New York’s Broadway. Rahman is also involved in other charitable causes. In 2004, he was appointed as the Global Ambassador of the Stop T B Partnership, a project by the World Health Organization (WHO). He also supports charities like Save the Children India and as a producer on the single ‘We can make it better’ by Don Asian alongside Mukhtar Sahota. A.R. Rahman showed his charitable side again with all proceeds going to the Tsunami victims, as did his 2004 Tsunami relief concert in India.

ALBUM: INFINITE LOVE

On 20 December 2012, Rahman released the single ‘Infinite Love’ in both English and Hindi commemorating the last day of the Mayan calendar to spread hope, peace and love.

He wrote: “Why is this album being released in 2012?

There have been wrong predictions that the world will come to an end on 21/12/2012. The aura of an apocalypse looms over our heads weathering our spirits. But why should we wait for a disaster to unite us? I look around me and I see scope for love, joy and most importantly hope. The thought of mortality teaches me humility. It eases the decisions I make every day. So, this isn’t an end-of-the-world song, but a song of hope!”

“What is the idea behind the video?

The music video conveys a metaphorical parallel.

Everyone smiles at a toddler… of any race or creed. Most of us want to play with them, given a chance. If we adapt a childlike mind, keeping aside our skepticism, we could deal with things more lightly and bring joy to one and all.”

“Why is there an Indian flag in the video?

My first aim is to get Indians to aspire toward excellence on a global platform. The idea of the video is to begin with borders and lose them in the end.”

“Why make a solo music album now?

“I have wanted to do something like this for ages. The idea for this album came to me two years ago. They say the music industry is finished due to piracy. This is true in one sense. But I have faith in the power of music. Art is like water. It takes the shape of the container. So here I am. Soaking in all that is around me, giving the world my contribution. Sony Music magnanimously agreed to distribute this project. But for me, this is a shot in the dark. A personal compilation of my ideas and philosophies….so if you like this, I am humbled. Thank you for your support.”- A.R. Rahman

Prudential Center

Prudential Center is the world-class sports and entertainment venue located in downtown Newark, New Jersey. Opened in October 2007, the state-of-the-art arena is the home of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) three-time Stanley Cup Champion New Jersey Devils, Seton Hall University’s NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball program, and more than 175 concerts, family shows and special events each year. The arena is also home to the GRAMMY Museum Experience Prudential Center, which opened its doors to the public in October 2017. To learn more, visit PruCenter.com and Follow the arena on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @PruCenter.

(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health & Wellness, Cuisine and Spirituality)