AR Rahman Reacts To Tamil Songs Controversy: We Tried Our Best

New Delhi: Musician A R Rahman has reacted to the controversy over his concert in London earlier this month which some of his audience left midway because he performed Tamil songs. Rahman, currently in New York for the IIFA Awards, told NDTV that he 'tries his best' and is 'nothing' without the support he receives from his fans. On July 8, Rahman played a concert at Wembley in London titled 'Netru, Indru, Naalai.' Despite the predominantly Hindi setlist - from Dil Se to Jai Ho - several concert-goers complained about the Tamil numbers that were sung. On Twitter, these disgruntled 'fans' claimed they had left the gig midway and demanded refunds.

Speaking to NDTV in New York, A R Rahman said, "We try our best. We try to be honest. I love the way how people have supported for all these years without them I'm nothing. I'm grateful to all of them."
 

This past week, Twitter has been sharply divided between London concert-goers claiming Rahman had been 'disrespectful' to his fans by performing Tamil songs and those who schooled them with reminders that Rahman is Tamil himself and has composed most of his work, including his early hits, in his mother tongue.
 

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

 

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

 

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

The controversy also served to rekindle the debate over Hindi privilege vs other regional languages. Singer Chinmayi, who has performed several Rahman songs in films, posted this impassioned note:
 

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

 

The show was called 'Netru Indru Naalai', had 65% Hindi songs (Set List is out there). Music knows no boundaries / language.

— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) July 14, 2017

 

And finally, pic.twitter.com/pLUL7w2Hmg

— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) July 14, 2017

New York, unlike London, was perfectly happy to hear A R Rahman sing in Tamil. IIFA Rocks, the musical night included in the awards weekend, was dedicated to the composer's 25 years in the industry and, as Rahman sang Urvasi Urvasi in its original Tamil, the crowd cheered wildly. "We came for Rahman. Music is universal, the language doesn't matter," a couple in the audience told news agency IANS.

(With IANS inputs)