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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline AUGUST 29, 2025 | The Indian Eye 30

A.R. Rahman mesmerizes Toronto audience with nostalgia and innovation

RENU MEHTA the music, showcasing heritage archi- Awards; Nakul Abhyankar, a multi-
tecture, vibrant cultural motifs, and lingual vocalist and composer with
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
traditional Indian dance forms per- credits in Frozen 2, Cobra, and Sark-
t was a night of musical magic at formed by women in classical attire. ar; Mayssa Karaa, Grammy-nom-
Scotiabank Arena as Oscar and The imagery added depth and richness inated Lebanese American sing-
IGrammy-winning composer A.R. to the already immersive experience. er renowned for blending Arabic
Rahman brought his immersive con- Rahman’s connection with the and Western sounds, including her
cert experience, The Wonderment audience was palpable. Songs like chart-topping collaboration with
Tour, to a sold-out crowd. The arena Mustafa Mustafa, Dil hai Chota Sa, Rahman on “Hayati”; Zanai Bhosle,
pulsed with energy, filled with nos- Choti si Asha, Chaiya Chaiya and an emerging Indian artist and grand-
talgic melodies and soulful beats that other timeless compositions, were on daughter of Asha Bhosle, brings a
transported fans through decades of full display as he delivered a seamless fresh voice rooted in musical and
cinematic brilliance. experience. three-hour performance that never royal heritage; Nitesh Aher, a Bol-
From the moment the lights The concert celebrated the won- lost momentum. The setlist featured lywood playback singer, featured
dimmed, Rahman’s performance re- der of music, breath, and love—core a wide array of hits from Hindi cin- in the upcoming film Bollywood
defined what a live concert could be. themes rooted in Rahman’s creative ema, each one met with thunderous Tere Ishq Mein; and Adithya Rad-
Seamlessly blending breathtaking spirit. The performance was layered, applause and heartfelt singalongs. hakrishnan, also known as Adithya
visuals, narrative transitions, and a emotional, and cinematic, designed to Joining Rahman on stage was a RK, whose recent film songs “Hey
transformative soundscape, the show awaken the senses and connect people powerhouse lineup of talent, includ- Nainika” and “Sooreede” showcase
was a sensory feast. Songs from be- through sound and story. As Rahman ing Rakshita Suresh, known for her his vocal versatility.
loved films like Roja, Guru, Rang De sang in both Hindi and Tamil, the crowd dynamic vocals in Ponniyin Selvan: The evening reached its emo-
Basanti and Taal had the audience erupted in joy, lighting up their phones Part Two and Mimi; A.R. Ameen, tional peak when Rahman performed
dancing, singing, and reliving cher- and singing along with every note. Rahman’s son and rising playback “Jai Ho,” the iconic anthem from
ished memories. Presented by Con- “The language may be different, star, celebrated for his soulful per- Slumdog Millionaire. Thousands of
certs West, AEG Presents, and Kash but the musical notes resonated—it formances in Dil Bechara, Ayalaan, fans rose to their feet, dancing and
Patel Productions, the production was magical,” said one attendee, call- and his single “Sago”; Shweta Mo- singing in unison, celebrating the
featured a genre-spanning ensemble ing it a lifelong dream to witness Rah- han, one of South India’s most cel- global hit that earned Rahman two
of vocalists and musicians who joined man live. ebrated playback singers, with over Academy Awards and became a sym-
Rahman in crafting an unforgettable Stunning visuals accompanied 750 recordings and five Filmfare bol of cross-cultural musical triumph.

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