The music wizard A.R. Rahman was at his magical best. His first ever live concert held in the capital city on last Saturday (November 17), was a grand success in terms of its mesmerizing effect on the audiences.
Music maestro A.R. Rahman cast a magical spell over his audiences, as he sang some of his all-time popular compositions, including "Khalbali" and "Pathshala".
The grand stage had LCD screens flanking both wings, scores of steps leading up to a tiny balcony on one side, and was lit up by colourful lights.
Rahman captivated the audience with a rare musical fare that had songs ranging from 'Roja Jaaneman' (from the film Roja) and 'Kehna hi kya' (Bombay) to more recent hits like 'Khalbali' (Rang de Basanti), and 'Barso re Megha' (Guru). The hit numbers of the latest blockbuster 'Sivaji' and a musical score from the yet-to-be-released 'Jodha Akbar', too were sung to the delight of the audience.
The pony-tailed Hariharan, Chitra, Madhushree, Sadhna Sargam and Delhi's own boy Kailash Kher, accompanying Rahman in the concert. Ace drummer Sivamani enthralled the audience with his incredible marathon-drumming spell.
The sets changing with each song, and the dancers performing alongside the crooning maestros provided some spectacular visual treat to the musical show.
Rahman, who was dressed in a white sherwani, changed into a dull purple kurta mid way through the concert and sat on the piano to perform his English number 'Pray for me brother'. It is a melodious song that appeals people to fight poverty. "I hope you will support me in my fight against poverty," Rahman said.
He also launched a set of colouring books, the earnings of which will go to his foundation that works for humanitarian causes.
Though the open-air venue at Rajouri Garden in west Delhi was not packed due to the huge pricing of tickets (between Rs.500 and 5,000 per ticket), the concert was memorable for the ones who were present there.
The sight of the crowd giving standing ovation while Hariharan sang 'Bharat humko jaan se pyara hai' was an emphatic sign to show that the fare was a hit.
"I hope you enjoy the concert," Rahman said to the audiences, who were spellbound and screaming for more.
