On Saturday, July 27, 2024, Malaysians were spellbound by the extraordinary AR Rahman Live in Kuala Lumpur concert. Hosted by Star Planet, this eagerly anticipated event unfolded at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, drawing a crowd of 35,000 enthusiastic fans. The atmosphere was electric, with palpable excitement as attendees eagerly awaited AR Rahman’s musical brilliance. The energy in the stadium was contagious, with many concertgoers donning customized AR Rahman T-shirts, proudly showcasing their admiration for the Isai Puyal and their eagerness to experience his live performance.
As the clock ticked on, the stadium gradually filled with a growing crowd.
Image source: Star Planet
The Honourable Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, and the Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, Datuk R. Ramanan, graced the concert with their esteemed presence, adding a touch of distinction to an already extraordinary evening filled with mesmerizing music and performances.
Image source: Star Planet
The concert kicked off with a recording of “Mupilla Thamizhe,” a song that AR Rahman had performed with his team. He had shared the video on his social media platforms beforehand, encouraging Malaysian fans to prepare to sing along during the concert. After the song, the “Mozart of Madras,” Isai Puyal AR Rahman, took the stage, and the show began in earnest.
When AR Rahman made his grand entrance, the stadium went into a frenzy. The audience roared with excitement, their cheers and chants of his name echoing throughout the stadium.
Attendees were treated to a three-and-a-half-hour marathon of AR Rahman’s iconic hits. He kicked off his live performance with “Jai Ho,” instantly energizing the crowd. The concert also featured renowned artists such as Mano, Srinivas, AR Ameen, Shwetha Mohan, Shakthishree Gopalan, ADK, Blaaze, Sri Rascol, Shuba and more, all performing alongside AR Rahman.
Image source: Star Planet
Most of AR Rahman’s iconic 90s songs were performed during the concert, much to the delight of the audience. Mano and Shweta delivered an engaging and entertaining rendition of “Veerapaandi Kottaiyile,” captivating the crowd with their dynamic performance.
A particularly memorable moment occurred when the music of the crowd’s favorite, “Yaakai Thiri,” began to play, causing excitement to ripple through the audience. AR Rahman initially started singing in Hindi. However, he didn’t disappoint. Midway through the song, he switched to Tamil, igniting the stadium with the audience’s enthusiastic cheers.
Image source: Star Planet
The crowd was utterly captivated as timeless classics like “Thillana Thillana,” “Mukkala Mukkapala,” “Aathangare Marame,” “Kannalane,” and “Malargal Keten” unfolded on stage with mesmerizing performances. The highlight of the evening was Srinivas and Shwetha Mohan’s electrifying rendition of “Minsaara Poove,” which had the audience buzzing with excitement.
The audience felt as if they were part of a grand sangeet competition, captivated by the fiery clash of performances between Srinivas and Shwetha during the rendition of “Minsaara Poove.”
These timeless classics hold a special place in the hearts of AR Rahman’s fans despite being released years ago. Understanding this, the song selections were perfectly chosen and exceptionally performed, adding to the magic of the evening.
Image source: Star Planet
The emerging artist AR Ameen, son of AR Rahman, truly captivated the audience at the concert. His rendition of “Ninaiviruka” was mesmerizing, showcasing his exceptional talent. He also performed “Endrendrum Punnagai” in collaboration with Srinivas, delivering a heartfelt duet that resonated with the crowd. Additionally, AR Ameen presented the latest AR Rahman composition, “Nee Singam Thaan,” from “Pathu Thala,” demonstrating his versatility and connection to contemporary music. Through these performances, AR Ameen is firmly establishing himself as a rising star in the music industry, carrying forward his father’s illustrious legacy.
Image source: Star Planet
Shakthisree Gopalan’s performance of “Nenjukulle,” accompanied by the dazzling flashlights of the audience, beautifully enhanced the ambiance of the stadium, creating a magical atmosphere. AR Rahman also took a moment to recall Dato’ Sri Siti Nurhaliza’s memorable performance of “Munbe Vaa” from last year’s AR Rahman concert. Since she was unable to attend this year’s concert, AR Rahman dedicated the song to her, with Shwetha Mohan delivering a heartfelt rendition.
“Siti Nurhaliza sang this song last year, but she couldn’t join us today. I would like to dedicate this song to her,” said AR Rahman.
Image source: Star Planet
AR Rahman also treated the fans to a special tribute with the classic track “Kappaleri Poyaachu” from the film Indian. This performance was a homage to Indian 2, the sequel recently released and composed by Anirudh.
“Recently, ‘Indian 2’ was released worldwide and is now playing in theaters. So, as a tribute to this new movie, we have a special treat for you. Here is a song from the ‘Indian,” he said, as excitement mounted among the audience for the much-anticipated moment.
The moment AR Rahman announced “Kappaleri Poyaachu,” the stadium was filled with enthusiastic cheers, highlighting the song’s lasting impact and its continued resonance with fans despite its original release in 1996. As AR Rahman began with the song’s iconic “La La La La Lalala” section, the crowd was visibly captivated, and the atmosphere was electric. The emotional intensity of the performance was palpable, further enhanced by the heartfelt rendition of Mano.
“It’s already 11pm. Shall we end it here, or do you want more, Malaysia?” asked AR Rahman
The stadium erupted with cheers and shouts of “YES!” The night was still young and the audience was eager for more of the Isai Puyal’s live performance. It was clear that Malaysians would never say ‘No’ to this. And so, the show continued with more electrifying performances.
The concert reached new heights of excitement and energy as Blaaze, Sri Rascol, ADK, and Shuba took the stage. Their electrifying performances, combined with AR Rahman’s signature rock beats, set the arena on fire. Renowned for his melodic brilliance as well as his hit rock tracks, Rahman’s music truly came alive that night. The show kicked off with ADK and Sri Rascol delivering dynamic performances of “Petta Rap” and “Chikku Bukku Raiyile,” setting an energetic tone. Blaaze then made a powerful entrance with his rap, followed by Shuba and ADK’s mesmerizing rendition of “Muthukkal Sirikum.” The much-anticipated performance of “Magudi Magudi” by ADK was simply electrifying. Sri Rascol and ADK also energized the crowd with a high-octane performance of “Showkali.” The session’s back-to-back energizing beats rocked the stage, leaving the audience in awe.
Image source: Star Planet
Overall, the concert was a mesmerizing showcase of AR Rahman’s illustrious musical journey, blending his iconic classics with his latest hits. The audience experienced a power-packed performance that effortlessly transitioned between soulful melodies and high-energy dance beats. AR Rahman’s setlist featured a diverse range of songs, including beloved Hindi tracks like “Dil Se,” which brought an added layer of excitement for fans.
The Mozart of Madras brought the night to a stunning close with a stirring rendition of “Aararai Kodi,” a song that perfectly encapsulated the emotional and energetic highs of the concert. As the crowd continued to buzz with excitement, it was clear that the concert had solidified its place as one of the year’s most memorable musical events.
Thank you everyone, Nandri, Terima Kasih Malaysia. See you next time.
Ellam Pugazhum Iraivanuke, thank you. Bye!
Image source: Star Planet
The concert’s stage production was a visual and auditory marvel, elevated by cutting-edge audio-visual technology and a dynamic ensemble of over 30 dancers. Each performance was enhanced by spectacular choreography that seamlessly integrated with AR Rahman’s music, creating a truly immersive experience. The meticulous stage design, crafted with precision, ensured that every note and lyric was delivered with exceptional clarity, meeting the artist’s rigorous standards for sound quality.
The use of state-of-the-art lighting and visual effects added an extra layer of depth to the performance, transforming the stage into a vibrant canvas that complemented Rahman’s musical genius. The combination of intricate choreography and innovative production elements not only showcased the artist’s creative vision but also captivated the audience, making the concert a standout event in the year’s entertainment calendar.
Image source: Star Planet
Presented by Star Planet, AR Rahman Live in Kuala Lumpur will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the standout concerts of the year, leaving an indelible mark on all who attended.
