By Rama Gaind
Friendship between India and Australia was further enhanced with the ‘Jai Ho!’ musical extravanganza at Sydney’s Parramatta Park on January 16, 2010.
India’s Academy-winning composer – A.R. Rahman – captivated the crowd of more than 70,000 people with his spectacular free concert.
The trouble-free show was part of the Sydney Festival celebrations.
A.R. Rahman re-stated his genuine sentiments for harmony, about the world being one family and pointed out that “man-made disasters are not acceptable”.
‘Jai Ho’, which means “may victory be yours”, is the song that plays over the end credits of the 2008 film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ which won the Academy Award for Best Song in 2009.
It was a night when peace, understanding and tolerance blended seamlessly with traditional and modern hits to offer a night of harmonious Bollywood magic.
Music transcended all boundaries, spanning the differences of culture, religion and language, enthralling young and old, tugging at everyone’s heart strings.
The ‘Maestro of Madras’ and his astonishing entourage of 40 musicians and dancers swept the cheering and clapping crowd on a memorable two-and-half-hour journey of signature intoxicating beats, accompanied by laser special effects.
Performances were from a selection of his most popular films including Academy Award-winning ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, ‘Rang De Basanti’, ‘Taal’, ‘Guru’ ‘Dil Se’.
Featured vocalists included Hariharan (whose romantic duets with Sadhana Sargam were phenomenal), Neetii Muhan, Shweta Pandit, Rajesh Raman, Benny Dayal, Sadhana Purushottam Ghanekar, Javed Ali, Rayhanah, Lush, Mlu and G-psy VI.
Impressive renditions were given by Asad Kahn on the sitar and Rashid Ali swayed the audience with ‘Kabhi Kabhi Aditi’ from’ Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na’.
Troupe members looked resplendent in brightly-coloured costumes with glittering accessories. Dancing and the irrepressible rhythms and melodies of contemporary India were all-encompassing.
The fanfare included energetic performances and many a familiar song with pumping tempo and rollicking themes which attracted resounding applause.
When Allah Rakha Rahman sang ‘Azeem-O-Shan, Shahenshah’, the song’s dramatic re-enactment from the film ‘Jodhaa Akbar’, further bolstered spirits as crowd appreciation burst forth in unison.
Ominous clouds threatened and a steady drizzle began as the resonant sounds of ‘Khwaja Mere Khwaja’ by A. R. Rahman filled the cool night air. The throng was oblivious of the wet as “blessings” from above were counted.
A mesmerising performance of ‘Jai Ho!’ was sung at the end for a delighted audience, improved by state-of-the-art digital projections, reaching a crescendo with ‘Vande Mataram’ – as fireworks lit the night sky.
The event ended on a vibrant high as the stage was illuminated with India’s ‘tiranga’ flag colours of deep saffron, white and green.
In 2009, ‘Time’ magazine placed A. R. Rahman in its 100 list of ‘World’s Most Influential People’. His outdoor concert in Sydney was in accordance with his wishes: a night like no other, full of love and peace.
The last word goes to Sydney Festival director Lindy Hume: “There are only a handful of living artists in any genre whose work is instantly and easily embraced in both eastern and western cultures – and one of them is A.R. Rahman. The message of this concert is one of harmony and cultural understanding between Australia and India, two countries who share so much more than a national day (January 26) and love of cricket”.
