Remember, we are just into the second month of this year and it is already looking bright and wonderful. I know there are 10 more months to go, but attending the ARR concert will be the highlight of this year (unless HE does one more and I get a front row seat without having to sell my kidney).
You often watch glimpses of his concerts on YouTube and feel you know what to expect. But the reality is nothing like it. Despite not having original singers, despite not getting to see him clearly on stage, despite the heavy crowd, despite standing for 5 straight hours, and despite the long wait for the commute back home (we reached home at 12:30 — a good 2 hours after the concert ended), the experience was unbelievable. And I still can’t get over it!
I was originally going to get a balcony ticket, but a friend (who also helped me with the tickets) recommended the Fanpit. I chose the ARR fanpit (obviously!) as it was cheaper, and I thought I would later sneak into the VIP fanpit (how naive was I!). It truly felt like standing inside a ‘pit’ as I could see only the top half of the stage. The actual performance on stage was completely blocked by those standing ahead of me. For the first 30 minutes, I was desperately trying to catch a glimpse of ARR, then finally gave up and decided to watch on the big screens and enjoy the show.
He started with Jana Gana Mana (Aayutha Ezhuthu), followed by a couple more peppy songs before switching to a medley of his romantic numbers. I was worried that the whole concert would be bits and pieces of songs, but then the full renditions began. Though I can’t recall all of them, here is a list I remember: Enna Enna Sol (Kandukondein Kandukondein), Hosanna (VTV), Dil Se Re (Dil Se), Humma Humma (Bombay), Mallipoo (VTK), Mutha Mazhai (Thug Life), Minsara Kanna (Muthu), Naadaan Parindhe (Rockstar), Endrendrum Punnagai (Alaipayuthey), Chinna Chinna Aasai (Roja), Chaiyya Chaiyya (Dil Se), and many more.
In one of the promo videos, he mentioned that he and his team had figured out how to handle audience preference for regional language and that the experience would be totally different. So I was worried this might turn into more of an instrumental concert. Thankfully, that didn’t happen. The only instrumental he played was the intro music from Muthu — I didn’t realize how awesome that music was until I heard it live!
It is impossible to pick a favourite segment from this show. The whole experience was out of this world! But there were goosebump-inducing moments — when ARR sang the swaram and aalaap interlude from Kannaalane, Fana, and the segment in Mannippaaya. I almost teared up hearing him sing live. There were also some all-time favourites that sounded magical live — Hosanna, Enna Enna Sollu, Humma Humma, Chaiyya Chaiyya, Dil Se Re, Thai Manne Vanakkam. Of course, Chandralekha by the OG singer Carolene, and the Bhogi song by Dhanush. Dhanush was adorable — he seemed a bit conscious, standing a few paces behind ARR, and ARR pulled him forward to share the stage and sing together. That was lovely!
A beautiful and thoughtful addition to the show was sharing the stage with social media talents — Alex, Amritavarshini (Thavil player), and a Colombian percussionist (didn’t catch the name). Alex sang Raasathi En Usuru, and it was quite good! His voice suited the song very well — though no one can replace the OG Shahul Hameed. The song selection, singer, and ARR initiating it were beautifully orchestrated. ARR has always tried to go beyond the mundane and keep introducing new things while staying current. These additions showed how he appreciates and respects real talent. The Thavil segment by Amritavarshini was wonderful too — I had never really noticed this instrument until now. I had only known the mridangam and Kerala chenda before this.
It is not just about bringing in Carolene or sharing the stage with Dhanush, Alex, or others — it is the way they are introduced, personally by ARR himself. These personal touches make it truly special for the invited artist. Another interesting element was that most of the orchestra instrumentalists were women. I have seen many ARR concert clips but never so many women artists. This must be a new development. I love that he quietly brings in progressive changes (remember the relaunch of chinmayee with mutha Mazhai!) and lets them speak for themselves — no announcements, no trumpeting. For a big showman, this humility is endearing.
Of course, not all attempts at change succeed. He tried to make the Tamil audience sing a Hindi song — perhaps too ambitious, even for ARR :p. He sang Dil Se Re and encouraged the crowd to sing along in Hindi, but after some hesitation, they sang the Tamil version instead. He kept prompting “Dil Se Re,” but the audience politely resisted, and he had to move on.
He also kept his word about organizing the event better after the Dec 2023 mishap. With a 30K+ crowd, the event was managed fairly well. Entry and exit were crowded, but there were enough volunteers and police to avoid any mishaps.
The concert truly felt like a Valentine’s gift for us fans. Throughout the 3.5 hours, we sang along to almost every song (except Hindi ones) and even hummed the instrumentals. Our legs and neck hurt, our stomach growled, and our throat was parched — but none of it mattered. We were tightly packed, sweating, yet completely absorbed in the music.
ARR will always be special to us because we have seen his journey — from a young composer with a pathbreaking Roja, to conquering Bollywood (Rangeela!), to collaborating with legends like Andrew Lloyd Webber, winning the Oscar, and continuously exploring music globally. He is far from a one-hit wonder. After Roja, the hits never stopped. He created iconic songs for every emotion of our generation — Mustafa Mustafa (friendship), Chinna Chinna Aasai (dreams), Vidugathaya Indha Vaazhkai (imo best rajni-spirituality combo), Aathangara Marame (nostalgic romance), Vennilave Vennilave (falling in love), Mannippaaya & Uyire (forbidden love), Satrangi Re (seven stages of love), Enge Enadhu Kavidhai (heartbreak), and many more.
While most of the crowd was from my generation, the kids in our group — probably Gen Alpha — were equally enthusiastic. It was a heart-melting moment to see them singing along to songs we grew up with.
Even more unbelievable is the energy of the man on stage! At 59 (he will be 60 next Jan!) he performed for 3.5 hours, delivering hit after hit without a break. Except for Khwaja and a few melodious numbers, most were high-energy songs. He was constantly playing, singing, or both — and closed with Humma Humma, Chaiyya Chaiyya, and Thai Manne Vanakkam. Who does that? Is he even human?
Of course, I wished there was more. I missed Mazhai kuruvi (CCV), Petta Rap (Kadhalan), Veera Raja Veera (PS), Vellai Pookal (Kannathil Muthamittal). Honestly, I wouldn’t remove anything from what was played — I just want more! My kids wanted Ennavo Oruvan, but I’m glad he didn’t include it — no one can do justice to it like Swarnalatha. One tiny drishti pottu — I wish he hadn’t sung Chaiyya Chaiyya. I’m too used to Sukhwinder Singh’s voice.
After watching the O2 series, I desperately wanted to see him live. I thought this concert would give me closure — but instead, it left me wanting more. To transcend generations, to evoke the same emotion in someone who discovered him decades ago and in today’s kids, and to continue creating despite criticism — that feels almost superhuman.
I feel proud and in awe of him at the same time.
Best Valentine ever — and hoping for many more :)
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