A Night Of Passage. Venice
Academy Award Nominee Shekhar Kapur, Nadja Swarovski, A.R.Rahman, Haley Bennett Celebrate Kapur’s First Short Film ‘Passage’ in Venice


Last night on the island of La Giudecca, Academy Award® nominated director Shekhar Kapur (ELIZABETH) and Swarovski Entertainment celebrated the international screening of PASSAGE, the first short film to be directed by Kapur. The charming I Granai della Repubblica were transformed into a magical space that played host to a soiree of glamorous stars.

Shekhar Hapur, AR Rahman, Haley Bennett and Nadja Swarovski were among the celebrities enjoying Venetian cocktails and canapés. Guests immerged into the world of PASSAGE for a private screening of PASSAGE as well as a live orchestral performance from India’s Kavita Baliga who sang music from the film scored by Academy Award Winner® AR Rahman.

Kapur’s film stars Julia Stiles (CRY OF THE OWL, THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM), Lily Cole (THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS, ST TRINIAN’S) and Haley Bennett (MARLEY AND ME, MUSIC AND LYRICS). PASSAGE invites audiences to dive into magical moments of transformation in the lives of three young women. Together with AR Rahman's score Kapur's graceful images merge into a highly emotional and enigmatic passage through despair and loss to reconciliation. The camera itself acts as a kaleidoscope exploring a non-linear time-frame leaving it ultimately for the viewer to individually interpret the meaning of the enchanting and dream-like film. Shekhar Kapur explains “In the complex experience of the film, I invite you, each single viewer, to decide what it means for you”.

website www.passage-experience.com

Source: www.arrahman.com

Oscar-winning musician A R Rahman has been invited to perform live along with the famous Pussycat Dolls — a pop girl group and dance ensemble — at the prestigious National Mall here next summer on the occasion of the India’s historic participation in the America’s world famous Polo Cup.

A large number of eminent Indian and American personalities, besides fashion designers and culinary experts are being invited to celebrate the two day event on June 11 and 12 next year to make this a memorable event for years to come, organisers of the Polo Cup said.

Tareq Salahi, captain of the US polo team, said this would be for the first time that A R Rahman and Pussycat Dolls would be performing live together.

India’s noted fashion designers too are being invited for the event, which would involve a polo tournament between Indian and American team.

Thousands of people are likely to converge at the National Mall during the two-day annual event.

Deputy Ambassador to the US, Arun K Singh, said the polo match between India and the US next year to be played at the National Mall reflects another dimension of the growing relationship between the two countries.

This will enhance sports and cultural links between India and the US, he said.

Commenting on this polo challenge for the first time between India and the US, spokeswoman, Michaele Salahi said: “The America’s Polo Cup aspires to bring the love of the game to a wider audience and bring international cultures together in a celebration of both their common bonds and their diversity.”

“This special global program includes national and international festivities that showcase elements dear to both nations, including community and international good will, air shows, sportsmanship, music, wine, cuisine, adventure and freedom,” Salahi said.

The US President, Barack Obama has been invited to inaugurate the opening ceremony for the world championships this September 19, on the DC National Mall. The preview polo match would be played between teams from Chicago and Washington.

Source: http://beta.thehindu.com/arts/music/article17984.ece?homepage=true

GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd.(GHIAL), will be hosting Oscar award winner A.R.Rahman’s ‘Jai Ho’ Concert on Saturday, October 24th,2009. Over 50,000 people are expected to attend the event, which will be organized by Rapport Global Events and Wizcraft, and held at a specially created ‘GMR Arena’ near the Novotel Hyderabad Airport, just two kilometers away from the airport.

Mr.P. Sripathy, CEO of GHIAL, said that, “We intend creating a leisure destination outside and around our airport, so that the people of Hyderabad are provided newer, interesting avenues for entertainment and enjoyment. We will have these events on a regular basis. With the festival season starting middle of September, we have already lined up a host of activities that will lead in to the ‘Jai Ho’ Concert on 24th October.

“We will start off the festive celebrations with the Airport Festive Carnival from the 19th of September through the 25th of October. During this period, any passenger or their relatives and friends who purchase any goods or services worth a minimum of Rs.300, will be eligible for a lucky draw coupon which will enable them to be entered for the Grand Draw prize of a return ticket for two, to Singapore. Additionally, in the weekly draws, two lucky winners will get free tickets to the ‘Jai Ho’ Concert”, he added.

Mr. Sripathy said that the ‘Jai Ho’ Concert will provide the people of Hyderabad and surrounding areas, an international standard event experience, with state of the art equipment and facilities.

Plans are on to provide a special weekend package for outstation enthusiasts in collaboration with the Novotel Hyderabad Airport and Jet Airways.

Source: www.arrahman.com

Oscar Invites A.R.Rahman to membership among the 134 for 2009.

Source -
http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2009/20090630.html

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/22/oscar.night/index.html

Slumdog Millionaire," the little film about a poverty-raised teaboy who goes on a game show as a way to find his lost love, won best picture Sunday night, earning a total of eight Oscars at the 81st annual Academy Awards.

"Millionaire's" other honors included best director (Danny Boyle), best adapted screenplay (Simon Beaufoy), score (A.R. Rahman), song ("Jai Ho," co-written by Rahman), cinematography (Anthony Dod Mantle), sound mixing and film editing. List of winners, nominees
Boyle literally jumped up and down as he accepted his award, saying that if he ever won he'd bounce like Tigger from "Winnie-the-Pooh."

Rahman was equally appreciative as he accepted one of his Oscars.

"All my life I've had a choice between hate and love, and I chose love, and now I'm here," said Rahman.

Wow !!! Jai Ho!!!
Congrats to A.R.Rahman Sir!!! for winning 2 Oscars.
Proud of you Sir!

Just saw AR perform Latika theme and Jai Ho in the Jay Leno show.

Was waiting for hour long to see a 5 mins performance by AR. Jai Ho has been cut short with main lyrics part cut off.

The set was interesting with colorful fabrics everywhere. Even on AR's keyboard :-)
AR didn't have chance to talk, his music spoke for him as always.

I kept hearing his music and really liking it ... there was a fresh sound and a fresh approach ... and a completely different way of looking at film music," said Rahman's friend, the German-born film composer Hans Zimmer. "Like any good artist, A.R. is not a traditionalist, he's a revolutionary. He uses all the revolutionary things that come from all over the world in his stuff ... hip-hop beats, electronics .... and there's an incredible inquisitiveness and playfulness in his music ... .

"Plus he writes a bloody good tune," said Zimmer, an Oscar-winner for his score to "The Lion King." "He's got the most perfect love theme ("Latika's Theme") in 'Slumdog Millionaire' which I am incredibly envious of in a loving way."

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/02/18/arts/NA-FEA-US-Oscar-Rahman.php"

The count down is on. Keeping fingers crossed for the BAFTA on Feb 8, 2009 and the big one Oscar on Feb 22.

Jo Bi Ho, AR ko Jai Ho !!!

:-)

What a treat....... One of the most happiest days in my life.
3 nominations for ARR...

No words...