STATE-of-the-art audio-visual technology set the stage for an unforgettable night at Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
Over 30 dancers brought spectacular choreography to life, perfectly synchronised with the soaring music and timeless hits that filled the air.
The combination of dazzling visuals and electrifying performances created an atmosphere of pure magic.
As they say, there's no show like an A.R. Rahman show, and the maestro proved this once again with his triumphant seventh outing in Malaysia.
At approximately 8.25pm, the concert ignited with the electrifying strains of Moopilla Thamizhe Thaaye, sparking a thunderous response from the 35,000-strong audience.
This uplifting and melodious tribute to mother Tamil, one of the world's oldest languages, beautifully celebrates the ancient heritage of Tamil culture and the remarkable achievements of Tamil people worldwide.
"It's a song that I hope will excite and inspire all generations, and implore people to look at Tamil culture and history with pride," Rahman once shared in a separate interview.
In his flashy military-styled black and gold braided jacket, Rahman, along with his band of accomplished singers — Shweta Menon, Shakthishree Gopalan and Shuba Vedula — took the stage to deliver a rousing rendition of Jai Ho.
Composed by Rahman for the 2008 film Slumdog Millionaire, Jai Ho won an Oscar in 2009, cementing its place in musical history.
As the night progressed, the concert steadily became more engaging, with each performance building on the excitement.
Rahman was accompanied by an impressive lineup of talent throughout the evening. Popular seasoned playback singers Nagoor Saheb (better known as Mano), Srinivasan Doraiswamy and Hriday Gattani brought their extensive experience to the stage.
Nakul Abhyankar, an accomplished Indian playback singer, music composer, and sound engineer, along with Rahman's son, A.R. Ameen, also a playback singer, delivered rousing performances that night.
The night also featured standout performances from Aaryan Dinesh Kanagaratnam, known as ADK, a Sri Lankan R&B and hip-hop artiste acclaimed for his Tamil tracks; Blaaze, the celebrated Indian Tamil playback singer and rapper; and Malaysian breakout star Sri Rascol, a Tamil hip-hop artiste, rapper, and producer.
This diverse lineup made the event a diverse showcase of musical talent. Notably, Sri Rascol contributed his voice to Rahman's hit song Showkali from the 2016 film Acham Yenbathu Madamaiyada, which was also performed by ADK and Sri Rascol during the concert.
UNRIVALLED MAESTRO
Rahman made a groundbreaking entrance into the music world with his work on Mani Ratnam's 1992 film Roja, which earned him his first National Award for Best Music Direction.
The 58-year-old's illustrious career includes two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA and a Golden Globe. In 2010, he was honoured with the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award.
Known as Isai Puyal (musical storm) and "Mozart of Madras", Rahman continues to captivate audiences with his innovative and influential music.
My personal favourite was the haunting Kannalane from Mani Ratnam's 1995 film Bombay, beautifully performed by Shweta.
The night also featured other classics like Thillana Thillana from Muthu (1995), sung by Mano; Enna Solla Pogirai from Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000), performed by Nakul; and Minsara Poove from Padayappa (1999), delivered by Srinivasan and Shweta.
These cherished songs took the delighted crowd down memory lane, getting everyone to move and sing along to their familiar lines.
The enchanting Nenjukulle from Mani Ratnam's 2013 film Kadal, brought to life by Shaktishree, captivated the audience and inspired them to wave their lit mobile phones in unison.
The effect was breathtaking, as the stadium was illuminated with thousands of twinkling lights, creating a mesmerising, starry spectacle that added a magical touch to the performance.
The composer also unveiled a teaser for his innovative meta band project, Secret Mountain — an avant-garde fusion of music, technology, and storytelling. Although the project's details and future trajectory remain unclear, Secret Mountain has the potential to redefine the future of entertainment.
The concert also showcased some of Rahman's latest hits, including Periyone En Rahmane from Aadujeevitham — The Goat Life and a teaser song from actor Dhanush's upcoming film Raayan.
Additionally, Rahman dedicated the song Kappaleri Poyaachu from Indian 1 as a tribute to veteran actor Kamal Haasan's Indian 2, which is currently screening in cinemas. Rahman had scored the original 1996 film, while Anirudh Ravichander took on the role of music director for the sequel.
The solid three-and-a-half-hour concert brought by Star Planet, featuring a blend of Rahman's classic hits and new compositions, kept the audience captivated throughout the evening.
From soulful melodies to energetic performances, each artist contributed to a diverse musical journey that resonated with fans of all ages.
The seamless flow of music, coupled with the artistes' dynamic stage presence, created an unforgettable experience that celebrated the rich heritage of Tamil and Hindi cinema through the timeless power of Rahman's music.