Oscar-winning composer and singer A R Rahman, who has been wowing Expo 2020 Dubai visitors with his all-female Firdaus Orchestra as well as solo concerts, took to the Jubilee Stage one last time on Thursday, before the world's fair closes on March 31.
Joined by an army of pan-Indian singers — from celebrated vocalist Udit Narayan to Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi and singers Rashid Ali, Jonita Gandhi, Vijay Yesudas and Shweta Mohan — Rahman performed some of his biggest hits spanning more than two decades and several languages, including Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam. Rahman's son A R Ameen, who is also a singer, performed on the night.
“Thanks again for all the love,” Rahman said, as he appeared on stage to loud cheers from the crowd.
Scroll through the gallery above for more pictures from A R Rahman's last concert at Expo 2020 Dubai.
The show, titled Once More, began on a sedate note with Rahman performing a few of his Sufi-inspired hits, including the touching Khwaja Mere Khwaja from the 2008 film Jodhaa Akbar and Kun Faya Kun from the 2011 hit Rockstar.
The show then picked up pace as streamers filled the air to the tunes of Jai Ho!, Rahman's global hit from the soundtrack of Slumdog Millionaire, which bagged the musician his Best Original Song Oscar in 2008.
The near four-hour concert also included a percussion solo from Sivamani, who wheeled his drum set around the stage and spontaneously swapped his drums for a water cooler and his drum sticks for cans, before he was joined by the multi-talented Ranjit Barot.
A poignant segment featured Rahman's tribute to celebrated Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar, who died last month at the age of 92. Considered a national treasure, Mangeshkar sang for many of Rahman's compositions, and appeared on stage via video footage to perform the emotional hit Luka Chuppi, from the 2006 film Rang de Basanti.
Rahman, who developed Why? The Musical, exclusively for Expo 2020 Dubai, also performed English songs from the show.
While the concert was heavy with his Hindi hits, Rahman, who is from Tamil Nadu, ended the show with some of his biggest South Indian compositions. Songs such as Urvasi Urvasi and Mukkabla, from the 1994 film Kadhalan, were performed in Tamil, much to the delight of the crowd.
Scroll through the gallery below for images of celebrities who have visited Expo 2020 Dubai:
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French designer Jean Paul Gaultier was at the France Pavilion for the opening of an exhibition of his work. Getty Images -
Coldplay performed at Expo 2020 Dubai on February 15 as part of the Infinite Nights concert series. Reuters -
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave a speech at Expo 2020 Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor made an appearance at the India Pavilion in February. Christophe Viseux / Expo 2020 Dubai -
Indian singer Armaan Malik performs in the DEC Arena at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Prince William made a stop at Expo 2020 Dubai as part of the UK’s country day on February 10. AP Photo -
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, during Belgium's country day at Expo 2020. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal at Expo 2020 Dubai in February. Photo: Arsenal FC via Getty Images -
Cristiano Ronaldo was part of a Q&A session for Expo’s Health and Wellness Week at Al Wasl Plaza in February. Pawan Singh / The National -
Malala Yousafzai, the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, visited Expo 2020 Dubai to speak at the Women’s Pavilion on January 28. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
The Black Eyed Peas perform at Expo 2020 Dubai on January 25 as part of the Infinite Nights concert series. Reuters -
South Korean President Moon Jae-in speaks during South Korea's country day at Expo 2020 Dubai. Reuters -
Egyptian singer Tamer Hosny performs on the Jubilee Stage. Mahmoud Khaled / Expo 2020 Dubai -
Indian filmmaker Shekhar Kapur collaborated with Oscar-winning music composer AR Rahman to create a new production called 'Why? The Musical' for Expo 2020. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Paris Saint-Germain football star Lionel Messi at the Garden in the Sky during his visit to Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Alicia Keys debuted her new album 'Keys' at the world fair on December 10, as part of the Infinite Nights concert series. AP Photo -
Pakistan’s Muniba Mazari speaks at Jubilee Stage. Steve Holland / Expo 2020 Dubai -
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola made a surprise appearance at Expo 2020 Dubai. -
Olympian Usain Bolt at Expo 2020 Dubai, as part of a 1.45-kilometre family run to raise funds for charity. Victor Besa / The National -
Prince Albert of Monaco made a visit to Expo 2020 Dubi for Monaco's country day. Eric Mathon Palais Princier / Yacht Club de Monaco -
From left, Yoon Doo-joon, Yang Yo-seob, Lee Gi-kwang and Son Dong-woon, of the K-pop group Highlight, at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National -
Lebanese singer Ragheb Alama performs at Al Wasl Plaza. Walaa Alshaer / Expo 2020 Dubai -
Ali Zafar performs during Pakistan: The Land of Melodies Music Festival, on the Jubilee Stage. Miaad Mahdi / Expo 2020 -
Emirates welcomes Arsenal FC manager Mikel Arteta to its Expo 2020 Dubai Pavilion. -
South African actress Nomzamo Mbatha in Dubai for Expo 2020. Issa AlKindy for The National -
Tunisian actress Hend Sabri visited Expo 2020 Dubai during its opening week. AFP -
Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli performs with Mira Singh from Dubai, during the Expo 2020 opening ceremony on September 30, 2021. Mahmoud Khaled / Expo 2020 Dubai -
Chinese pianist Lang Lang performs during the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai at Al Wasl Plaza. EPA -
Kuwaiti influencer Noha Nabil also attended Expo 2020 Dubai's opening ceremony. AFP -
Emirati singer Hussain Al Jassmi performs at the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony. Mahmoud Khaled / Expo 2020 Dubai -
Football star Cristiano Ronaldo, Prince William and Coldplay have all made stops at Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National; Reuters
