A glimpse of Rahman’s concerts

Singer Shweta Pandit shares her experiences as a vocalist on the ongoing world tour. Read on for more.

AR Rahman’s Jai Ho-Journey Home world tour started in May, but preparations began six months prior to that, at Los Angeles’ famous Centre Stage Auditorium, where Michael Jackson had rehearsed for his

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tour. Shows have been held in New York, Washington DC, Chicago, New Jersey, London and Birmingham.

Says Shweta Pandit, lead female vocalist of the tour, “Singing at the O2 Arena, where Michael Jackson was to perform last year was touching and humbling. The audience’s reaction was so special that I felt like I had magical powers!

“This feeling is rare. I have dedicated my first-ever performance at O2 Arena to the memory of MJ.” Future concerts are scheduled in San Fransisco, Detroit, Raleigh, Dallas, Houston, Paris, Zurich and Vancouver. She states, “The response has been incredible, possibly the most fulfilling experiences for me as a vocalist.”

Shweta was first seen on TV in the 9X show,

Mission Ustaad

, in 2008 where Rahman and Javed Akhtar appeared as the judges. Shweta reveals, “It was a show on playback singers composing music. That's when Rahman sir heard me sing. I have been touring with him for more than a year since." Shweta has previously worked with Rahman at concerts in Hyderabad, Muscat, and in Australia, at the Sydney Festival 2010.

Coming back to the Rahman tour, Shweta recollects some memorable experiences in LA. She recalls, “While practising at Centre Stage, we had Janet Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus and Pussycat Dolls, rehearsing just next door. They had amazing things to say about Indian music. I got a chance to speak to Jermaine and he mentioned how Indian music has become a rage, thanks to

Slumdog Millionaire’s

soundtrack.”