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- Dubai 04:31 05:49 12:21 15:48 18:47 20:05
Pakistani national Jibran Raheel, winner of Sing Like a Star contest, performs live with the Indian music maestro AR Rahman in Dubai on Friday night (SUPPLIED)
AR Rahman Live in Concert in Dubai barely managed to strike a chord with thousands of his fans who had gathered to watch the music maestro in action Friday night at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
In Dubai this Friday, it was only during the last half an hour of Rahman's three-hour-long presence on the stage that some effort was made to salvage the show with a few entertaining numbers such as the 'Mukkabala', 'Chaiya, Chaiya' and Oscar winner 'Jai Ho'.
“The audience wanted to listen to some of his best music ever which were produced during the 90s, starting with Roja. But all we got to hear were some fast numbers from Rockstar, Delhi 6 and Rang De Basanti. Overall it was a very sad show,” said Tanisha, a Sharjah resident.
The poor acoustics at the stadium meant that all those seated in the Balcony and the Grand Stand Premium sections had to make do with sound from speakers meant for the VIP and VVIP sections in front.
The absence of many lead singers who have lent their voice to some of Rahman’s compositions was clearly felt. “Apart from Mohit Chauhan, there wasn’t anyone else. Moreover you cannot replace singers like Sukhvinder Singh on the dais,” said Kiran Kumar, a hardcore Rahman fan.
The Dubai International Cricket Stadium at the Dubai Sports City was almost half filled about an hour before the concert started at 9pm.
The show opened with the stadium echoing to Shivamani’s beats as the audience broke into applause with Rahman’s entry on to the stage.
What soon followed were some classic Rahman numbers that included the Oscar award winning Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire and the much-acclaimed Sufi number Khwaja Mere Khawaja from Jodha Akbar.
Almost two hours into the show and just when the audience were preparing to leave, Rahman once again rocked the stadium with the much awaited Chaiya Chaiya from Dil Se soon to be followed by Mukkabala Mukkabala from the Tamil film Kadalan. The show ended with the Indian patriotic song Vande Matharam, meandering through the political undercurrents, reminding the audience of the Arab Spring, with the slogan “Change is Inevitable” displayed in the background.
As people started leaving the stadium just after 12, the air was still filled with remnants of Rahman’s magic and the tune of Khwaja Mere Khawaja.
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