This is superb initiative from ARR... He is the Global Ambassador for Peace and friendship. Jai Ho ARR
On Mon, Aug 10, 2009 at 7:49 PM, Bivin Chandra <[email protected]>wrote: > > > > Matt Wade Herald Correspondent in New Delhi > August 11, 2009 > > INDIA'S Oscar-winning pop icon, the *Slumdog Millionaire* composer A.R. > Rahman, wants to counter recent attacks on Indian students in Sydney and > Melbourne with a free concert during the Sydney Festival in January. > > ''Considering the recent hassles that have created a bad vibe I thought > this concert would be a statement of peace,'' he told the *Herald* > yesterday. > > Rahman said he hoped to deepen the connection between India and Australia. > > ''I hope it will do what ever it can to reunite culturally and > spiritually,'' he said. > > Festival organisers said Rahman suggested a free concert as a demonstration > of cultural diplomacy and a gesture of goodwill. It will be held at > Parramatta Park on Saturday, January 16. > > > ''This show is very important to me,'' said Rahman, who won two Academy > Awards for composing the soundtrack for the hit movie *Slumdog Millionaire > *. ''I hope it creates a bridge of understanding and love.'' > > A series of attacks on Indians studying in Australia over the past two > months has received widespread media coverage in India and damaged > Australia's reputation as a safe destination for students. > > > ''As a musician I believe in peace and I believe in the good nature of > people, so I feel that it was one of my duties to come and perform in what > ever way I could help building a bridge between both countries,'' Rahman > said. > > He hopes the concert will help break down cultural misunderstandings and > boost the morale of tens of thousands of Indians studying in Australia. > > Rahman, 43, is a superstar in India, where film and pop music are one. His > film scores and soundtracks have achieved sales of more than 300 million, > making him one of the best-selling recording artists in the world. > > Rahman has won 13 Filmfare Awards, four National Film Awards, a BAFTA Award > and a Golden Globe for*Slumdog Millionaire*. > > A *Time* magazine critic dubbed him the ''the Mozart of Madras''. > > The film's anthem, *Jai Ho*, became an international hit and Rahman > promised fans to expect songs from the movie at the Sydney concert. > > Rahman's friend, the Australian filmmaker Baz Luhrmann, choreographed > Rahman's performance of *Jai Ho*at this year's Oscar ceremony. > > The song was used by the Congress Party as part of its triumphant > re-election campaign in May. > > Rahman has fond memories of playing to packed crowds in Sydney and > Melbourne in 2005. > > ''They were probably some of the best concerts we have ever done,'' he > said. ''I want to re-create that in Australia this time.'' > > The Premier, Nathan Rees, congratulated Rahman for ''his leadership and > goodwill'' in offering to perform at the free concert. > > ''We all look forward to having him here next year.'' > > > > > http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/music/slumdog-composer-reaches-out/2009/08/10/1249756256655.html > > > -- regards, Vithur
