Follow the latest updates on Expo 2020 Dubai here
Superstar music maestro AR Rahman will premiere exciting new music when he first performs with the Firdaus Orchestra at Expo 2020 Dubai on October 23.
The two-time Academy Award and double Grammy Award winner has been in Dubai since July, composing work he hopes will unite people in friendship at the world fair next month.
We didn’t put any parameters. We wanted it to be a hybrid between a classical orchestra and ethnic, combining styles
AR Rahman
In an interview with The National, the composer spoke about breaking musical boundaries and working with 50 female musicians from the Middle East, as part of a new ensemble.
He discussed his state-of-the-art studio and being grateful for the “sense of freedom” to work creatively in Dubai amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Firdaus Orchestra was created specifically for Expo 2020 Dubai, and comprises women from Oman, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and the UAE.
To qualify, the women needed to live in the Middle East, were required to read music and had to be “extraordinary musicians".
Between 200 and 300 applied, and the finalists were picked by Rahman's musical directors.
A musical mash-up
The music they will perform will blend western, Arabic and Indian styles, said Rahman, who is known as the Mozart of Madras.
“We didn’t put any parameters. We wanted it to be a hybrid between a classical orchestra and ethnic, combining styles,” he said.
“We were very open. We didn’t want to define that this is what the orchestra should be.”
The ensemble will also perform songs by legendary Bollywood singer Lata Mangeshkar, as well as classical pieces such as Mozart’s lively Turkish March and Beethoven’s haunting Moonlight Sonata, but arranged on Arabic string instruments.
“We have a qanun, buzuk, oud, Arabic percussion, we have the sitar," Rahman said. "These instruments are also incorporated in some of the pieces. This sound will definitely be unique in a way.
“The Arabic ensemble has come out so beautiful. The uniqueness comes from the players."
He said he aimed to not limit his musicians or place them into categories.
“We want to embrace different cultures, like the Arabic culture, and bring in Indian ethos. In a way we are actually bridging the gaps,” Rahman said.
“Here is an opportunity to mingle, do something beautiful together, to understand each other through music and friendship.”
Known for his foot-tapping beats and uplifting music, he said his orchestral music would be enjoyed and understood by all.
“These are things that are friendly to hear but we will also go deeper."
A sneak peak of rehearsals
Rahman spoke extensively about getting to know his all-women ensemble, and said many of them had not received the support to pursue music as a career, and "felt redeemed" to be selected for the orchestra.
“It’s not this region only where music is not encouraged that much. It’s a global universal thing,” he said.
“To me as well, music has given me respect, love. It’s been really, really good rehearsing with them.”
During rehearsals in a school in Dubai, Rahman listened in as the musicians played instruments such as the riqq, a small tambourine, and the ney, a reed flute.
“Whether it’s the qanun, ney, buzuk, riqq ... it’s exciting when they collide and you can just see a hint of how it’s happening. It’s an exciting experience to watch,” he said.
“It is fantastic to see them even when they were jamming in the break period. It’s fascinating to see them gang up and do a little ensemble.”
Building a studio in Dubai and living in the UAE
Over the past three months, Rahman has also set up a studio at the Expo 2020 Dubai site.
This state-of-the-art space will enable musicians to record soundtracks and create scores for artists, the movie industry and documentary filmmakers from around the world.
Rahman said he was thankful to be able to work in the UAE during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Compared to the restrictions across the world last year, he said Dubai had a “sense of freedom to do creative work”.
“You see suffering everywhere. The whole world went through it, especially in India,” Rahman said.
“That’s one of the fascinating things when I came here, how Dubai has sorted itself out.”
Rehearsing the opening ceremony
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Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
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Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
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Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
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Pearls on a Branch: Oral Tales
Najlaa Khoury, Archipelago Books
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The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
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Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
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September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
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Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
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Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
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August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
The Freedom Artist
By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)
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BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
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