Indian composer and singer AR Rahman believes that music can connect people regardless of the language they speak. Even when listeners do not understand a song’s lyrics, its melody, rhythm, arrangement and performance can move them emotionally. The Oscar-winning musician is therefore unperturbed by criticism from some concertgoers over the prominence of Tamil songs in his live performances, maintaining that musical appeal should take precedence over linguistic preferences.
In an exclusive interview with Indian newspaper Hindustan Times, Rahman discussed the challenges of selecting songs for concerts, balancing music in different languages and meeting the expectations of audiences across India. He is preparing for the Indian leg of his ‘The Wonderment Tour’, which includes scheduled performances in Mumbai and the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR).
Choosing songs for a diverse audience
Rahman described compiling a concert setlist as one of the most challenging aspects of live performance. India’s vast linguistic and cultural diversity presents both an opportunity and a considerable responsibility for an artist seeking to connect with audiences across the country.
Reaching listeners in northern, southern, eastern and western India is a privilege, he suggested, but selecting songs that resonate with such varied audiences is far from straightforward.
Rahman explained that he relies primarily on his musical instincts when deciding which songs to perform. He approaches the task by considering what he himself would enjoy hearing as a member of the audience, rather than attempting to satisfy every individual preference.
With thousands of people attending a concert, their expectations are bound to differ. Some may favour familiar Hindi film songs, while others may hope to hear Tamil classics or compositions in other regional languages. Constructing a setlist that pleases everyone is virtually impossible.
For Rahman, the solution is to prioritise the overall musical experience rather than selecting songs solely on the basis of the language in which they were originally composed.
Tamil songs attract criticism, but Rahman remains unfazed
Some audience members previously criticised one of Rahman’s concerts on social media because of the large number of Tamil songs performed. Other fans defended the composer, pointing out that his extensive repertoire includes numerous popular Tamil compositions.
The debate reflects the competing expectations that can emerge when an artist with a multilingual catalogue performs before audiences from different linguistic backgrounds.
Rahman observed that performing Hindi songs in Tamil Nadu could prompt questions from some listeners there. Similarly, an audience in another part of India might question the prominence of Tamil songs at a concert.
His comments highlight the difficulty of navigating regional preferences in a country where language is closely connected to cultural identity and popular entertainment.
Films such as Roja and Bombay provide examples of how Rahman’s music has travelled across linguistic boundaries. Their Tamil and Hindi versions have reached different audiences, with listeners developing their own preferences for particular versions.
The composer believes that a live performance cannot be organised around every individual’s expectations. While questions about the language of his songs
