Indian music legend A R Rahman performs in front of a packed crowd at Khalifa International Stadium, yesterday.
Doha: Indian music legend A R Rahman rocked Doha last night in front of packed crowd at Khalifa International Stadium.
He showcased some of his biggest hits from his Bollywood and international movies in the biggest musical show held in Qatar. The 35,000 plus crowd was on their feet throughout the show enjoying the peppy numbers by the music maestro.
He kicked of the spectacular event on a huge stage lit with gigantic graphics with song Naadan Parinday Ghar Aja from the movie Rockstar.
The Indian music legend was accompanied by a long-list of popular artists like playback singer and King of Melody Udit Narayan Jha, award-winning singer Shweta Mohan, Carnatic vocalist, playback singer and musician Haricharan Seshadri, A R Rahman’s sisters and popular singers from the South Indian film industry Reihana and Isshrathquadhre, playback singer from the Malayalam film industry Alphons Joseph, Bollywood playback singer Javed Ali, singer-actor Benny Dayal, Indian film score composer Ranjit Barot, Rahman’s troupe singer Dilshad Shabbir Ahmed Shaikh and Indian-born Canadian singer Jonita Gandhi.
Qatari composer and musician Dana Al Fardan presented some of her compositions as an opening act. She also presented a song composed in honour of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
The concert, organised by Katara Studios, was held as part of the Qatar-India 2019 Year of Culture 2019.
A two-time winner and five-time nominee of the Academy Awards (Oscar), Rahman is popularly known as the man who has redefined contemporary Indian music. He shot to international fame with his composition for the 2009 Hollywood production Slumdog Millionaire. In addition to the two Oscars, Rahman also boasts of two Grammy awards, a Bafta, a Golden Globe, as well as a slew of awards in India, including six National Film Awards, 15 Filmfare Awards and 17 Filmfare Awards South.
For the show, the Khalifa International Stadium pitch was converted into a giant 90-metre-long stage with 80 artists performing live. Large LED screens around the stage ensured that the entire audience could get a memorable up-close and personal experience with the singer.
The musical fest in Doha was organised in association with Qatar Airways and the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) as part of the Qatar-India 2019 Year of Culture, that is intended to promote mutual understanding, recognition and appreciation between the two countries.
