AR Rahman to perform in Dubai

A R Rahman will be performing in Dubai later today at the ongoing Dubai Sufi weekend. The Oscar winning music director took to his official page to make the announcement to his fans and said, "Hello Dubai, looking forward to see you all at the world premiere of my Sufi concert at the Dubai Sufi Weekend this Thursday, the 18th of December at Dubai World Trade Centre.And performing with me on the 18th at the Sufi Concert will be Sivamani, Javed Ali, Ghulam Murtaza Khan, Ghulam Quadir Khan, Master Faiz Murtaza Khan & the K M Sufi Ensemble. Tasawar Bashir has programmed the content for the concert (sic)."
Talking to a leading Dubai based newspaper, The National, A R Rahman said, "I like the UAE for its vision, modernity and the fact that it has become the melting pot of cultures in the Middle East." And talking about his fascination for sufi music, he confessed, "I���m looking forward to my first Sufi concert in Dubai. The philosophy and teachings of Sufis has influenced my music and made me look at my inner self in more depth. Songs like Khwaja Mere Khwaja, Maula and Kun Faya Kun have found a deep connect with so many of you. This connect and the love of people has enabled me to embark on a new journey, moving away from my routine of romantic and dance-orientated compositions, and perform for Dubai, the Sufi songs I have composed for films and a few covers of the masters of qawwali."