AR Rahman may be one of India's most celebrated music composers, but performing in front of a live audience was not always easy for him. The Oscar-winning musician has opened up about the intense fear he experienced during his early concerts, revealing that there was a time when stepping onto the stage felt overwhelming.
In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, Rahman reflected on his journey from his first live performance in Malaysia in 1996 to the large-scale concerts and international musical productions he is involved in today.
Recalling those early days, he said, “There was a time when I was on stage I felt like I was seeing death. I was so terrified!”
The candid admission offers a different perspective on the composer, who is now known for delivering elaborate musical performances to audiences around the world.
Three Decades of Musical Evolution
Rahman's first live performance in 1996 marked the beginning of a journey that has continued for approximately 30 years. During this period, he has expanded his musical work beyond film soundtracks, performing with orchestras and developing large-scale live experiences.
His upcoming Wonderment Tour represents another stage in that journey. The production brings together familiar compositions from the 1990s and newer music, offering audiences an opportunity to experience his work in a live setting.
Rahman acknowledged that he has gradually become more comfortable on stage. However, he explained that reaching this point required time, experience and a better understanding of how to translate his studio compositions into concert performances.
The transition was not simply about performing familiar songs in front of an audience. It also involved adapting complex musical arrangements for live musicians while preserving the character of the original recordings.
Why Rahman's Music Was Difficult to Perform Live
According to Rahman, his distinctive musical style created challenges when his compositions were performed on stage. The arrangements that worked in a recording studio could be difficult for other musicians to interpret in a live environment.
He explained that finding the right performers was essential. He wanted musicians who could contribute fresh ideas to his compositions without compromising the work that had gone into creating them.
Rahman said it took time to find musicians who could add something meaningful to his music rather than undermine arrangements that had taken months to develop.
This process helped him shape a live performance style that could retain the richness of his recordings while allowing musicians greater freedom on stage.
Even now, preparing for a concert requires considerable planning. Rahman revealed that a tour may require preparations to begin around a month in advance, including alternate arrangements, introductions and coordination among performers.
His comments underline how much work goes into producing a concert that appears effortless to the audience.
AR Rahman Calls Roja a Defining Musical Moment
During the same conversation, Rahman also reflected on his debut film, Roja, directed by Mani Ratnam. When asked about the view that the soundtrack represented one of the high points of his career, the composer acknowledged that he had given everything he had developed musically at that stage.
However, he emphasised that filmmaking and film music are collaborative processes. A composer's output can change depending on the director, story and creative team involved.
Rahman cited his work with Mani Ratnam on Roja and Bombay, Subhash Ghai on Taal, Imtiaz Ali on Rockstar and Danny Boyle on Slumdog Millionaire as examples of how different collaborations brought out different aspects of his musical identity.
Rather than viewing his career through a single achievement, his comments highlighted the importance of creative partnerships in shaping memorable soundtracks.
Wonderment Tour Heads to Mumbai and Delhi
Rahman is preparing to bring his Wonderment Tour to two major Indian cities. According to reports, the Mumbai concert is scheduled for November 1 at Jio World Garden, followed by a Delhi performance on November 21 at Backyard Sports Club.
The three-hour musical production is expected to combine celebrated songs from his earlier career with more recent compositions.
The composer is also collaborating with Hollywood music composer Hans Zimmer on the upcoming film Ramayana, adding another major project to his diverse musical career.
From the fear he experienced during his first live performance to the elaborate concerts he now prepares, Rahman's journey illustrates how experience and experimentation have shaped his relationship with the stage.
For fans, the Wonderment Tour offers an opportunity to revisit the music that has defined generations while experiencing the composer's work in a new live format.
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