In this article, we dive into the exhilarating experience of Ram Kumar, a die-hard fan of A.R. Rahman, who had the chance to meet his musical icon firsthand. Ram's narrative offers a glimpse into the joy and awe that come from such a rare encounter. So, let's join him on this unforgettable journey, a testament to the magical bond between Rahman and his fans.
I wanted to share with you all the moment(s) when I encountered our idol, A.R. Rahman. While my close encounter lasted only a few minutes, it was a dream come true for a die-hard fan like myself (and, I believe, for all of us in this group). I’m delighted to narrate my experience:
It was February 20, 2003, a Thursday. The setting was the India Pistols Ground, Taramani, Chennai, around 9:00 PM, the eve of the “Unity of Light” live concert. Four friends and I had decided to attend the concert together. So, accompanied by my parents and brother, I went to purchase our tickets from LandMark. Each ticket cost Rs. 250.
Once we had the tickets, we thought we’d take a look at the stage and light arrangements for the next day’s concert. As our car slowly approached the venue, filled with heavy police security and a crowd near the gate, I started hearing music wafting toward us. It was then I decided, “I must see him in there!!!”
I was unsure whether I’d make it inside, given the crowd waiting to catch a glimpse of our idol. Noticing my brother and me’s excitement, my dad showed his ID to the gate security. WE WERE ALLOWED INSIDE. The joy I felt is indescribable. As we walked from the back of the stage, I could hear Rahman speaking. But my mind was focused on one thing only – to see the musical icon of India.
Finally, “I SAW HIM”. It was an extraordinary moment. My brother and I stood there, stunned, staring at him, barely believing this wasn’t a dream.
The rehearsal for “Baba” was ongoing. He was instructing the Dholak player: “Dippu Dippu Adi” (meaning, play the Dippu Dippu beat). He started playing, and Rahman seemed satisfied. I noticed many singers who had collaborated with Rahman moving around nearby. Notably, Shankar Mahadevan, Swarnalatha, Blaze, Hariharan, and Vasunthra Das.
Rahman was dressed in a black coat, appearing calm but perhaps a bit nervous for the upcoming concert. He was surrounded by three large keyboards (minimum 7 octaves). He suggested numerous improvements to the song as practice continued. The speaker system was impressive, creating a “mini” stage in front of the main stage. I realized then that live mixing wasn’t an easy task. Especially for Rahman’s songs! When Keith Peters struck his instrument, the air was filled with a low-frequency bass. Simply amazing!
By 10:30, the temperature dropped, and I noticed Rahman preparing for something. Curious, my brother and I approached the stage, guessing it was time for his dinner. We were right. He began to descend from the stage, the perfect opportunity for us to ask for his “AUTOGRAPH”. We followed him. Not many noticed him leaving the stage. He entered a nearby tent, and a screen was pulled, obscuring the entrance. However, when a breeze occasionally lifted the screen, I could see him. He was having a casual chat with Suhasini (Maniratnam) and the event organizer but hadn’t touched his food.
Then came the moment. He emerged from his tent. We rushed towards him, as did a few other fans. Face-to-face with Rahman, what a moment! I quickly gathered a pen and my dad’s visiting card for his autograph. Although I was unsure if he would sign a visiting card, he proved his greatness. Without a word, he gave a smile, signed, and returned to the stage. It was the highlight of my life. Not many celebrities would take the time to engage with their fans this way. He is truly extraordinary!
The rehearsal proceeded. I stayed until 12:30 in the night. Among other songs rehearsed were “B to the A – BABA” by Blaze, “Porale” by Swarna, “Yeh Yeh enna acchu” by Vasunthra. All live. So close. An amazing experience. The next day, the actual concert coincided with my receiving an appointment order for my campus interview. Unforgettable moments!
I hope this narrative has not bored you, and I hope you all enjoyed it. While brief, it was an unforgettable experience. I’m sure it’s a dream for most of his fans. I count myself fortunate to have had this experience. I hope and wish all his fans get this kind of experience at least once in their life!
I have another story about the second time I met him. When? Where? How? I will share that soon. Until then, enjoy the magic of A.R. Rahman, the Boss!
