Last Saturday I was lucky enough to get to the free concert by A.R.Rahman, put on as part of the Sydney Festival. For those of us who don’t recognise the name, Rahman wrote the soundtrack to Slumdog Millionaire.
Although he’s been booked to perform for a long time, the recent tension between India and Australia over violence in Australian universities gave him more reason to come. He says that the Indian media behaved irresponsibly by blaming a stabbing last year on racism when it was more likely to be drug related.
Whether the attacks are race or drug related, it was great to be part of a huge, multicultural crowd watching the 40 performers singing and dancing for peace.
And how was the music itself? Cos I freaking adore Rahman, even when I don’t know it’s him, and inevitably acquire his soundtracks … the man is an international treasure.
The music was great too. I only recognised one tune – Jai Ho, of course – but really enjoyed it all.