Mainstream American audiences were introduced to Rahman through his score for 2008’s Slumdog Millionaire. The soundtrack earned him a Golden Globe Award for best original score, a BAFTA Award for best film music, two Academy Awards for best original music score and best original song for “Jai Ho,” in addition to two Grammy Awards for best compilation soundtrack and best motion picture song for “Jai Ho.”
The “A.R. Rahman Jai Ho Concert: The Journey Home World Tour” tour is set to hit over 20 major arenas and cities worldwide.
The North American leg of the tour begins June 11 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y., with dates booked through a July 3 performance at the Toyota Center in Houston.
Additional shows include Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va. (June 13), Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill. (June 18), Air Canada Centre in Toronto (June 20), Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif. (June 26) and American Airlines Center in Dallas (July 2).
Rahman’s European dates kick off July 10 at Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy in Paris, followed by three shows booked in the U.K. – the S.E.C.C. in Glasgow (July 23), the Manchester Evening News Arena in Manchester (July 24) and The O2 – London (July 25).
Tickets are on sale now. More dates will be announced soon.
The tour will feature a collaboration with Rahman and creative director Amy Tinkham, who has worked with Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys and Mariah Carey.
“’A.R. Rahman Jai Ho Concert: The Journey Home World Tour’ will be a theatrical experience that will blend new technologies with powerful dance arrangements and acrobatics,” Tinkham said. “The concert will keep intact the heritage and traditions of India with a new modern presentation. The show will feature changing sets, large images on LED screens and a spectacular cast of musicians and dancers from across the globe.
“Through the vast tapestry of music that is A.R. Rahman, he takes us on a virtual journey through beauty, culture and spirituality. This is uniquely Indian – both ancient and modern.”
In addition to songs from “Slumdog Millionaire,” fans will also be treated to material throughout Rahman’s career including music from the following Indian films: “Lagaan, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na”, “Dil Se,” “Rang DeBasanti” and “Roja.”
TIME magazine included Rahman on its 2009 list of “The TIME 100: The World’s Most Influential People,” writing, “In India, a country of a billion inhabitants, where film and pop music are one, A.R. Rahman, 43, dominates the music industry so totally that he has supplied the sound track for a whole generation.”
The composer took part in the 25th anniversary re-recording of “We Are The World,” along with Jennifer Hudson, Carlos Santana, Miley Cyrus, Barbra Streisand and Lil Wayne, to help raise money for earthquake survivors in Haiti.
Click here for A.R. Rahman’s Web site.