This Article is From Aug 16, 2016

It Was Special, Says Rahman About New York Tribute to M S Subbulakshmi

It Was Special, Says Rahman About New York Tribute to M S Subbulakshmi

This image was posted on Twitter by IndiaDPRNewYork.

Highlights

  • Rahman performed at UN General Assembly on India's Independence Day
  • Rahman is the second Indian to perform at the UN General Assembly
  • A R Rahman paid tribute to Carnatic singer M S Subbulakshmi
New Delhi: As India celebrated its 70th Independence Day, the United Nations General Assembly in New York rocked to the sound of A R Rahman. The Chennai-based composer's performance paid tribute to a fellow musician from his city, the legendary M S Subbulakshmi whose birth centenary is being marked this year. Rahman's concert took place 50 years after M S Subbulakshmi performed at the UN in 1966, invited there by then Secretary-General U Thant.

"It feels really, really good. I think 1966 was just one year before I was born. It's been 50 years. So, ( it was ) coming back in a special way to celebrate one of my city's icons, one of India's icons - MS Subbulakshmiji," Rahman told NDTV about the concert.

The almost three-hour-long concert set list included some of M S Subbulakshmi's Carnatic favourites, Sufi numbers and songs like Dil Se Re, Kun Faya Kun and Vande Mataram. The concert was brought to a close with Rahman's Oscar-winning Jai Ho. Rahman was also joined by his two sisters, singer Javed Ali and renowned percussionist Sivamani on stage.

Rahman's backing band was the Sunshine Orchestra, formed by underprivileged children trained in classical music. "From today, you are privileged, you are not underprivileged anymore," Rahman told the performers ahead of the show, reported PTI.

"Music has given me everything, this is a small thing in return," said the double Oscar-winner about his special backup. It was organised by India's Permanent Mission to the UN in association with Sankara Nethralaya, a non-profit medical institution.

Watch video:
 

 
Here's what went down at the much-anticipated concert in New York:
 
 
 

Ahead of the concert, Rahman teased his followers with a sneak peek of the venue:
 
 
 


Syed Akbaruddin, India's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, also offered glimpses of the preparations:
 
 

M S Subbulakshmi, born in September 1916, was the first musician ever to be awarded India's highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna. She died at the age of 88 in 2004.

AR Rahman, 49, made his debut with Mani Ratnam's 1992 film Roja. His extraordinary CV includes the films Bombay, Dil Se, Taal, Lagaan, Rang De Basanti and Rockstar. His work in Danny Boyle's film Slumdog Millionaire fetched him two Oscars, two Grammys, a Golden Globe and a BAFTA.

Also Read

.