Entertainment · Music · 1 hr ago
AR Rahman says music can engage audiences across language barriers
AR Rahman says he does not dwell on complaints about performing many Tamil songs at his concerts.
The composer says choosing songs and balancing languages is one of the hardest parts of planning a set list for audiences across India.
He focuses on musical appeal rather than language, saying interesting arrangements can engage listeners who do not understand the words.
He says some songs that seem unexpected can still create strong reactions, and that audiences increasingly focus on the music.
His Wonderment Tour will play in Mumbai on November 1 and Delhi on November 21, with songs from across his career.
Rahman is also working with Hans Zimmer on the soundtrack for Ramayana, which is due for release on November 5.
AR Rahman says audiences can connect with music even when they do not understand the language of a song.
He says choosing and balancing languages in concert set lists is difficult, and that he now takes a musical approach.
Some fans complained last year that he performed too many Tamil songs, while other fans defended his multilingual repertoire.
Rahman is taking his Wonderment Tour to Mumbai on November 1 and Delhi on November 21.
- Who
- AR Rahman, the composer and performer.
- What
- He discussed balancing languages in concert set lists and said music can engage audiences beyond language barriers.
- When
- In an interview published October 27, 2026. His tour shows are scheduled for November 1 and November 21.
- Where
- The interview was with Hindustan Times. The upcoming concerts are in Mumbai and Delhi.
- Why
- Rahman said he chooses songs with a musical approach and cannot take every audience preference into account.
Fans who complained about the Tamil-heavy set list
Fans who defended Rahman
Song choices
Fans who complained about the Tamil-heavy set list
Some complained that Rahman performed too many Tamil songs at a concert.
Fans who defended Rahman
They said he is a multilingual performer with some of his greatest hits in Tamil.
Some people online complained that Rahman performed too many Tamil songs at a concert.
Hindustan Times published an interview in which Rahman discussed balancing languages in his concert set lists.
Rahman is scheduled to perform at Jio World Garden in Mumbai as part of his Wonderment Tour.
Rahman is scheduled to perform at Backyard Sports Club in Delhi as part of his Wonderment Tour.
- Mumbai concert
- Jio World Garden, November 1
- Delhi concert
- Backyard Sports Club, November 21
- Tour
- The Wonderment Tour
- Next soundtrack
- Ramayana, with Hans Zimmer
- Ramayana release
- November 5
What people are saying
Even if they don't know Tamil or Hindi, if it's musically interesting, it engages them.
It's the most difficult thing for me to curate a list, but it's become a pattern.
Initially, people complained, but then it became a phenomenon.
Recently, even in symphony concerts with just the piano and singers, people go into ecstasy.