IIFA Awards 2017: A R Rahman performs in New York. (Image courtesy: IIFA)
Highlights
- Rahman's IIFA Rocks setlist comprised Hindi and Tamil songs
- We had no problems that he sang in Tamil, said a fan after the concert
- Hariharan, Kailash Kher, Jonita Gandhi also jammed with Rahman
A R Rahman's New York concert (IIFA Rocks) was in complete contrast to his London gig, where 'fans' of the Oscar-winning composer reportedly walked out of the Wembley Stadium, complaining that
his set was dominated by Tamil numbers. As the clock struck 2 AM and Rahman ended the Tamil version of
Urvasi Urvasi, the crowed at New York's MetLife stadium started chanting, "Once more, once more," reports news agency IANS. "It's too late right," said Rahman but he played
Humma Humma nevertheless, reports IANS. Hariharan, Kailash Kher, Jonita Gandhi, Benny Dayal, Mika Singh and Neeti Mohan also jammed with Rahman on the IIFA Rocks stage.
Like in London, Rahman's set in New York also comprised some Tamil songs.
Dil Se,
Nadaan Parindey,
Kinna sona,
Tu Hi Re,
Nahi Saamne,
Heer Toh Badi Sad Hai, "
Maiyya Maiyya and his Oscar-winning song
Jai Ho were some of the tracks Rahman played on Friday night.
The audience in New York accepted the Tamil songs as much as they grooved to Rahman's Hindi songs. "Rahman's performance was every bit worth it. We had no problems that he sang in Tamil because we believe one should preserve their culture," New York-based Rajan Panda told IANS after the concert. A New York-based Nepalese couple added: "We enjoyed the show very much. We came for Rahman. Its music, it's universal... It doesn't matter what language it is in."
Meanwhile, Rahman's London concert audience was apparently made up of folks who
claim Rahman should remember he "made his name in Bollywood" (this is untrue). Here are some reactions:
IIFA Rocks is a music event organized by the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) ahead of its main award show night. The IIFA awards will be held in New York on July 15. IIFA Rocks was attended by celebrities like Salman Khan, Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif and Saif Ali Khan.
(With IANS inputs)