Sivamani, Bollywood bound?

Sivamani is back to work after cheering the Chennai Super Kings in South Africa. But is he not watching the T-20 cricket world cup?

“I am missing cricket,” he says, but then, he quickly switches to a philosophical mode and adds, “It’s like music. If you keep listening to it non-stop, you will not enjoy it. You need to give it a break and then continue to absorb its beauty and essence. Similarly, after the hectic South African schedule, I’ve decided to give cricket a break and am now busy with music.”
After the success of his album Mahaleela, he is busy working on Mahaleela-II. “It’s again very personal. This time, I have incorporated what I couldn’t in my first album. The recording at Rajasthan palace will be the highlight. I am proceeding to Manasarovar to do some recordings there too,” he muses.
He’s also working with AR Rahman in his Hollywood project. But Sivamani regrets that he could not be present at the Oscar ceremony. “I had a show for Shivarathri at the Mookambika temple and was praying for Rahman. The next morning, it was a double treat for me. My sister called me to inform that Rahman had won the Oscars and that the Tamil Nadu government was to confer the Kalaimamani title on me,” he recalls.
When I could not attend his post-Oscar show in Kerala, Rahman sent me a message saying ‘Don’t ditch me next time.’
Sivamani says that he will be joining Rahman in the shows that are to be held at Dubai, Kolkata and Chennai.
Known for his ability to innovate, he says, “I am busy rehearsing with my boys, especially for the show.”
Having achieved so much, what’s he looking forward to? “I am trying my hands at music direction in Bollywood. I’ll soon have an announcement to make,” he smiles.

Rahman’s favorite enlivens Sabarimala

Rahman’s favorite on the drums, none other than Sivamani was at Sabarimala recently. You can’t keep this man away from rhythms and he proved this once again when he gave an impromptu performance right at the foot of the 18 holy steps that lead to the sannidhanam. Of course, he had not carried his

drums along with him and so had to provide his rhythms on small vessels and other assortments that doubled up as percussion instruments. This was a different type of entertainment which the Ayappa devotees thoroughly enjoyed.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

A R Rahman Concert - A Magnificent Musical Show at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium

A R Rahman the popular Bollywood playback singing sensation came and performed along with other well known singers like Hariharan, Chitra, Sadhana Sargam, Karthick, BlaaZe, Madhushree Neeti Mohan, Naresh Iyer, Mohammad Aslam, Javed Ali and Benny Dayal, at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday 18th April 2008 from 8.00 p.m onwards.

He held the audience spellbound for 4 hrs non stop, with his usual striking music performances, spectacular entertainment, multi-tier stage set up, back ground dancers, orchestra and amazing lighting effects.

The cricket stadium was packed with a large number of music lovers who yearned to listen to this great performer and his hit songs. This concert of A R Rahman was held in UAE after a span of 5 years. He performed and lived up to the expectations of music lovers in this live concert. The audience were glued on to their seats from the start till the finish.

The concert started with Bollywood hits like Masti Ki Pathshala, Jashn-e-Bahara, Khoja Khoja, Nannaare, Diya Jale, Tere Bina, Humma Humma and Rubaroo. Rahman took the audience on a wonderful musical journey that included his current hits and old favourites from Bollywood and South Indian films like Dil Se, Jodha Akbar, Shivaji, Guru, Rang De Basanti, Bombay, Kadalan, Boys and Roja to name a few. The song from the super hit south Indian Tamil movie Roja, that helped A R Rahman climb the ladder of success, fame and glory, Kaadal Roja was impressive and deserved the applause from an extremely responsive audience.

Shivamani the ace drummer and percussionist with his magical fingers and hands performed drum beats and regaled the audience. He was truly amazing. He received a huge round of applause from the crowd and mesmerized them with the drum beats. He also showed the audience how he could produce music from objects like spoons, a bottle of water and suitcases .
A brilliant performer with tremendous potential and energy AR Rahman was seen on stage right from the start till the end. He was either playing the keyboard, directing the orchestra, sensing the mood and the pulse of the audience and joining the chorus. He is indeed a fine musician, singer, director and a multiple talented personality - A priceless gift from God.

The singers reached out to every nook and corner of the stadium with their choicest selection of Hindi and South Indian songs and the music filled the air. The sequence and choicest selection of energetic dance tunes, spiritual devotional numbers, rocking rap music and soul stirring patriotic songs was well appreciated by the audience. The audience responded with a huge round of applause after every performance.

The English song Pray For Me Brother touched the inner core of each and every person witnessing this event. It was dedicated for the speedy recovery of ailing children all over the world and hence the crowd stood up holding illuminated mobiles in their hands and sent a prayer to the Eternal Creator. This song created a sense of belonging and spiritual bonding of brotherhood among those present within the stadium.

The audience also felt a strong spiritual bonding as he sang "Khwaja Mere Khwaja" on the harmonium, covering his head covered with a scarf. The entire audience stood up for the last song Vande Mataram, which was a befitting tribute to India.

Kudos to the organizers for organizing such a beautiful event. This was indeed a memorable event and a concert to remember. A R Rahman fans and music lovers would look forward to many more concerts like these in the future.

Brief interview

Our team member C Salaam met Mr. A R Rahman who shared some of his choicest thoughts on the Indian music industry. He said that it was not possible to have concerts like these regularly in UAE because of his love and commitment to music. He is thoroughly occupied with bollywood and south Indian films, and another international project which has been assigned to him by Mr. Shekar Kapoor. He is currently studying the finer details of Arabic music and wants to streamline and incorporate the same into his system. Jodha Akbar will be remembered not only by him but his fans too for the quality music rendered by him.

AR Rahman in addition to the above mentioned commitments wishes to open a music school called KM Music School in Chennai. At this point he praised the reality shows conducted by various TV channels for their contribution and hardwork in looking out for talents, providing a platform, training and shaping them up, and helping them to rise and shine like the stars in the galaxy.

He then mentioned the names of some fine performers and singers like SP Balasubramaniam, KS Chitra and Lata Mangeshkar. The names of these artists along with the legend of hindi music industry Mohammed Rafi needs to be etched on a marble in golden letters for generations to remember them for their contribution in the field of music he added.

Courtesy: mangalorean.com

Rahman’s magical spell in the capital

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.

Courtesy: IndiaGlitz.com

A.R. Rahman rocks Delhi

He came, he sang, he conquered. Music maestro A.R. Rahman spun a web of magic over his audience as he sang some of his all-time popular compositions, including 'Khalbali' and 'Pathshala', at his first concert in the capital.

Although the open-air venue at Rajouri Garden in west Delhi was not packed Saturday, thanks to the steep ticket prices (Rs.500-Rs.5,000 per ticket), for the ones who were present it was an evening to remember.

Rahman, dressed in a white sherwani, dominated the grand stage, which had LCD screens flanking both wings, scores of steps leading up to a tiny balcony on one side and was lit up by multi coloured lights.

'I hope you enjoy the concert,' Rahman said as he started rolling out one song after the other leaving the audience spellbound and screaming for more.

From classics such as 'Roja' of the movie 'Roja' and 'Kehna hi kya' from 'Bombay' to more recent hits like 'Khalbali' from the movie 'Rang de Basanti' and 'Barso re Megha' from 'Guru', and hit numbers of the blockbuster 'Sivaji' to a musical score from the yet-to-be-released 'Jodha Akbar', the audience was treated to a delicious musical fare.

Accompanying Rahman were other singers like the pony-tailed Hariharan, Chitra, Madhushree, Sadhna Sargam and Delhi's own boy Kailash Kher, who have rendered their voices to his compositions in the movies.

Ace drummer Sivamani enthralled the audience with his marathon-drumming spell.

With the sets changing with each song and scores of dancers performing alongside the crooning maestros, more glitter was added to the show.

Mid way through the performance, Rahman changed into a dull purple kurta and sat on the piano to perform his English number 'Pray for me brother', a melodious song that asks 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 in the occasion the proceeds of which will go to his foundation that works for humanitarian causes.

As Hariharan sang 'Bharat humko jaan se pyara hai', the crowd stood and cheered, passing the verdict that the three-hour musical evening was a hit.

Courtesy: Earthtimes.org

Rahman all the way, dil se

It was one of the grandest shows Delhi has ever seen.

The set was majestic, with yellow lights embellishing the red eye-catching décor. But on the whole it was all about the music at the very successful Fever 104 FM’s big AR Rahman concert.

Delhi turned up in all its might at the West Delhi District Centre Ground, Raja Garden. Approximately 25,000 people attended the event.

Accompanied by an army of musicians, the maestro painted vivid musical landscapes to a bewitched crowd. There were several high points of the evening: one of them saw Rahman speak from his heart on various topics close to his heart.

He did not restrict his renditions to Hindi or English and also had some Tamil favourites thrown in, which were lapped up by the crowd. Surprisingly, some fans sang along in Tamil. His star performers too left no stone unturned to ensure that this concert is etched in the memory of all those who were here.

Chitra, Hariharan, Kailash Kher, rapper Blaze, Naresh Iyer and Kailash Kher, among others, were truly spectacular. There were sounds of violins, flutes, awesome percussion and Rahman himself with his jukebox, synthesiser.

There was Chaiyya Chaiyya, Tu hi Re, Khabali, Chanda Re, Roja, Bharat Humko, Maiyya Maiyya and Rahman even gave a sneak peak into his upcoming movie soundtrack of Jodha Akbar that had percussionist Sivamani jamming with over 20 drummers on stage.

When it was time for the Fever 104 winner to come on stage, Parul Mishra put her best foot forward. “This is one concert I could come to with all my friends. Usually, it tough to have them all together at the same place as they all have different choices in music. But Rahman is a common favourite,” said 23-year-old Kamakshi Rao, who came from Gurgaon.

From six-year-olds to sixty-year-olds, they were all keen to wave their hands and shake a leg. After all, you don’t get to see the maestro in action every day.

Courtesy: Hindustantimes.com