Long before streaming started defining how we consume music, AR Rahman (and Ilaiyaraaja) were part of my everyday routine. Even today it takes me a few seconds to choose the right song to set me in the mood for my morning walk. But as soon as I left for Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday evening, I refrained from playing anything. Instead, I blocked out all outside noise with the noise canceling of my earphones – I had to clear my mind, prepare it to absorb whatever Rahman and his team had to send through me.
It was hard to imagine what this concert meant to every Rahmaniac; The man who gave ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam’ and put Indian music on the global map has to face the wrath of a clan that has attempted to polarize India. I knew that Rahman’s The Wonder Tour was not any other concert in Chennai. It was a celebration of the love that overcomes hate, and a Valentine’s Day date with an artist who epitomizes that love.
AR Rahman to perform at The Wonderment Tour concert in Chennai on February 14, 2026. Photo Credit: The Meraki Collective
As soon as I walked into the stadium amidst thousands of Rahman fans, everything changed – what had been an individual ritual had turned into a collective pilgrimage. Amidst the excitement, I also felt the fear of the ghosts of 2023, because Marakuma Nenjam. Luckily, crowd management was good.
And thus the show began. The Mozart of Madras took to the stage to the tune of ‘O Yuva Yuva’. An electric guitar solo from Keba Jeremiah charged through the collective vein. Beats-heavy and playful tracks followed; The dance choreography of ‘Muqabla’ particularly caught my attention, while Rahman, along with Nysa Shetty and Rakshita Suresh, made me wish they would sing ‘Fanaa’ once again.
Of all the hats he has worn, Rahman is a true showman who can take the pulse of the crowd, and the Wonderment Tour was proof of that.
AR Rahman to perform at The Wonderment Tour concert in Chennai on February 14, 2026. Photo Credit: The Meraki Collective
The first segment was a ’90s Valentine’s Day special, and the couples in the crowd made so much noise that we knew they were in the majority. With a sore throat I recorded Ashwin Srinivasan’s flute solo ‘En Kadhale’; Amidst all that we have lost during the pandemic, we have also lost a rare gem whose notes drip with honey. Aditya RK – a young artiste who knew how to control the stage – started singing the melancholic track, revealing its effect on the listener: “Is this nectar? Or is it poison? Or is this amrit-poison?” Ashwin’s flute then segued into one of my all-time favourites, ‘Netru Iladha Mataram’.
The tunes of the 90s continued to resonate thanks to acclaimed singers Srinivas, Chinmayi Sripada and Amrita Suresh as they performed ‘Ennavale Aadi Ennavale’, ‘Kurukku Siruthavale’ and ‘Enna Vilai Azhage’. Rangapriya’s violin solo, which presented ‘Ennavale’, echoed in the air, as did Harita Raj’s veena strumming ‘Sonnalum Ketpadhillai’.
Rakshita Suresh, Chinmayi Sripada, Srinivas and Amrita Suresh performed at AR Rahman’s The Wonderment Tour concert in Chennai on February 14, 2026. Photo Credit: The Meraki Collective
When ‘Manippaya’ came, there was no single in the stadium. Everyone held someone’s hand, whether they were next to them or in the distant past. As Rakshita, Rahman has found a singer with an intoxicating voice and impressive range; She can mesmerize you with ‘Kaadhal Roseve’ but can also compete with Srinivas in ‘Minsara Kanna’. And what is it about Chinmayi’s voice that makes me cry involuntarily – be it ‘Kannalane’ or ‘Tere Bina/Aruyire’?
But the singer for whom no one in the stadium was prepared was stand-up comedian Alexander Babu. “You all know Alex; he’s made you laugh before, now he’ll make you cry,” Rahman said as he and Alex started singing ‘Raasa Kannu’ – or so we thought. Rahman is known for bringing out the best in people in ways that only he can see. Alex has also sung ‘Rasa Kannu’ before. But can he sing one of the most difficult Shahul Hameed tracks? Only Rahman would have the conviction to see in Alex a singer who could transcend the highs and lows of ‘Rasathi En Usuru’. The show saw another special ‘D’ factor of Tamil cinema – who presented his ‘Adangatha Asuran’ with great enthusiasm, fighting a technical glitch with his reaction.
Dhanush and AR Rahman perform ‘Anangatha Asuran’ at The Wonderment Tour concert in Chennai on February 14, 2026. Photo Credit: The Meraki Collective
The gear shift was very clean throughout the show. After the bass tunes of ‘Enna Sola Pogirai’ left a longing in my chest – credit to bassist Nilanjana Ghosh – ‘Dil Se Re’ brought the crowd closer. The stage lights painted the stadium red, and some tracks later changed to blue as the Sufi wave reached the shore. I remember well the first time I heard ‘Khwaja’ – and somehow, with every rendition of qawwali, I have become a lighter person. ‘Khwaja’ effortlessly transformed into his divine twin ‘Kun Faaya Kun’. Rahman was joined by AR Amin, Aditya, Nakul Abhyankar, Nitesh Aher and Bhavin Pushkarna. I found myself in an altered state when the echo of ‘Nadan Parinde’ started hitting my body in a subtle way. I didn’t notice when it changed to ‘Sadda Haq’ – jodha akbar And rockstar There are only two music albums that could have changed my temporary state, and if Rahman had played ‘Idhayam Idam Mariadhe / In Lamhan Ke Daman Mein’, the purpose of my pilgrimage would have been accomplished.
When the showman knew it was time to change pace, ‘Mallipu,’ ‘Yennai Izhukkuthadi,’ ‘Chinnamma Chilakkamma,’ and ‘Jingucha’ began to move the tired legs almost unconsciously. Perhaps the creative choice that irked someone was when Thavil stripped away the necessary minimalism for Charulatha Mani’s ‘Anju Vanna Poov’ – this shouldn’t mean that Amritvarshini isn’t a good artist; Thavil solo before Dhanush sang was a testament to his talent. And Charulatha Mani’s excellent ‘vocal showcase’ with Rangapriya’s violin and Sai Sravanam’s tabla gave an effortless classical touch to the show.
Aditya RK, AR Amin, Annupama and Charulatha Mani perform at AR Rahman’s The Wonderment Tour concert in Chennai on February 14, 2026. Photo Credit: The Meraki Collective
Colombian singer-actress Evelyn Soto also created a stir in the show. His cute attempt at saying ‘Vanakkam Nanbergale’ brought laughter from those who were unprepared for what was to come – Sotto turned the proceedings into a rock band affair with a spectacular set. If drumsticks can create fire, Soto has it.
The final medley featured ‘Hosanna’, which got the crowd dancing in unison. When the song was sung the men and women around me held their chests.Yen Idhayam Udaithai Norungwe, Yen Maru Idhayam Tharuven Ni Udaikkwe,” and Thamarai erupted throughout the stadium. A ‘Chandralekha’ special from Annupama; ‘Mustafa’, which made the crowd switch on their flashlights; ‘Andrendrum Punnagai’; ‘Jumbalakka’; and ‘Humma Humma’ closed the final segment.
Rahman knew how to bring down the curtain – the Oscar-winning ‘Jai Ho’ (with the ‘Lathika theme’ woven by Rakshita), the always upbeat ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ and the soaring anthem of united India, ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam / Thai Manne Vanakkam’ closed the show. “Our country is an example of peace. Long live Tamil. Long live unity. All praise be to God,” Rahman signed off.
AR Rahman to perform at The Wonderment Tour concert in Chennai on February 14, 2026. Photo Credit: The Meraki Collective
The queue on the way back was very slow, but I couldn’t complain – the music was still playing loudly in my heart. And maybe that’s why I decided not to plug my earphones while returning. Looking out at the tide of humans, I felt gratitude – for a magician who had defined every step of my life, and for someone who had directly inspired thousands of people to choose love and art over hate and bigotry. “Rangreza Rangreza“My heart sang.
The Chennai edition of The Wonderment Tour was organized by Noise & Grains in association with Joe Entertainment and Fairgame Entertainment.
published – February 16, 2026 03:32 PM IST