After AR Rahman Performed Tamil Songs At London Concert, Some Want Refund

New Delhi: A concert that musician A R Rahman played in London last week had an unexpected epilogue on social media, with several audience members criticizing Rahman for playing a number of Tamil songs as part of his set. That Rahman is Tamil himself and has composed much of his music in Tamil appears to have been disregarded by the disgruntled concert-goers, as has the fact that the gig was titled 'Netru, Indru, Naalai.' Twitter is filled with complaints asking for refunds, some claim to have left the concert halfway - even though a tweet of the setlist shows that several songs performed were Hindi, from Tu Hi Re and Dil Se to Patakha Guddi and Jai Ho.

The set list from yesterday night #arr #wembley pic.twitter.com/PggTDqJJi6

— MusicAloud (@MusicAloud) July 9, 2017

Nevertheless, the July 8 concert at Wembley appears to have attended by folks who claim Rahman should remember he "made his name in Bollywood" (this is untrue) and have played more Hindi, even Punjabi one tweet demanded, songs. A typical tweet read: "That was my first ever Tamil concert guys. Albeit completely unintentional" and added the hashtags #Fail and #Refund.

That was my first ever Tamil concert guys. Albeit completely unintentional #ARRahman #SSEArena #Fail #Refund?

— Omer Chowdhury (@OmChow) July 8, 2017

Was total disaster,for someone who made his name in Bollywood(at least on sheer numbers) it was disrespectful from him,even speaking Tamil

— Apoorva Dixit (@apoorva_dixit) July 9, 2017

Was so disappointed and left half way through. The promoter #HumsiniEntertainment should of said 99% songs will be Tamil. I wouldnt of come

— Rita Mistry (@RitaMistry) July 8, 2017

Need more Hindi Punjabi songs #ARRahman #Wembley #ssearena feels like come to a South Indian concert @arrahman

— Saurabh Sethi (@Saurabh_Sethi25) July 8, 2017

For those accusing A R Rahman of being 'disrespectful' to his Hindi audience, a Google search will reveal the information that the singer-composer's first break was in Mani Ratnam's 1992 Tamil film Roja, which was dubbed in Hindi. Rahman worked in Tamil and Telugu cinema right upto 1995's Rangeela, which was his first purely Hindi soundtrack.

The controversy has helped re-ignite the debate over why Hindi is prioritised over other regional languages. The flood of critical tweets has been countered by others pointing out that Rahman did not start out in Bollywood and that 'disappointment' over his partly Tamil setlist smacked of ignorance and parochialism.

It is like, you went to watch Bahubali without checking whether it is a Tamil or Telugu expecting it to be Hindi or Punjabi for you. Come on

— Samuel Shine Soans (@SoansShine) July 14, 2017

1.#India is Not Hindia
2. #Hindi is not mother of Music
3.This Earth not only for Hindi speaking ppl #ARRahman #stopHindiImposition

— Mani Vasu (@ManiVasu2) July 14, 2017

But when such idiocy and ignorance is displayed especially when they think he owes them a refund. My God. New low level.

— Steph 16-1 (@brahahamin) July 12, 2017

Among those who lashed out at disgruntled concert-goers was singer Chinmayi Sripaada, who has sung for Rahman in several films including Guru and Kaatru Veliyidai. Chinmayi's series of tweets also included an impassioned against the 'Hindi Prachar Sabha':

When Rahman sir wins 2 Oscars and creates history, he is "An Indian", but 7-8 Tamil gaane kya gaa liye aap naraaz hote ho. What yaar?

— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) July 14, 2017

Chase the American dream, your kids can Spanish; Live in the UK that once colonised India - but cry foul when a when you hear Tamil songs

— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) July 14, 2017

And finally, pic.twitter.com/pLUL7w2Hmg

— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) July 14, 2017

One of the concert-goers who complained claims that he has since been refunded.

Sorry to disappoint ladies and gents. The refund just came through :)

— Omer Chowdhury (@OmChow) July 12, 2017

A R Rahman has not responded to his critics. He is currently in New York for the IIFA Awards.