Zaheer Darbar – Entertainment Editor
Singaporean President Tharman Recognises AR Rahman’s Long-Standing Bond with Singapore Music Scene: Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam recently lauded globally acclaimed Indian composer AR Rahman for his enduring contributions to the local music industry. The President shared glimpses of their meeting on social media, highlighting Rahman’s role in nurturing Singaporean talents and providing them with international opportunities.
A Musical Icon’s Singapore Connection
AR Rahman, the Oscar and Grammy-winning maestro behind Slumdog Millionaire’s iconic soundtrack, visited Singapore on May 10 and 11 for the premiere of his directorial debut, Le Musk. The groundbreaking 37-minute virtual reality (VR) film, screening at Golden Village Suntec City until August 12, merges VR, music, scent, and haptic technology for an immersive cinematic experience.
President Tharman expressed his admiration for Rahman’s impact beyond Indian cinema, acknowledging his support for Singapore’s artists.
“I was glad to meet recently with the celebrated AR Rahman (@arrahman), often known as ‘ARR’—not only because he is an icon in India’s cinema world and an Oscar and Grammy award-winning music producer, composer, and songwriter. ARR has also done our own talents good over the years, by giving them valuable exposure,” the President wrote.
Singaporean Artists Who Have Collaborated with Rahman
Over the years, Rahman has worked with several Singapore-based musicians, helping them gain global recognition. Notable collaborations include:
- Lady Kash & Krissy (rapper-songwriter duo)
- Shabir (singer-musician)
- Yung Raja (rapper)
One of their most popular joint projects is Wanna Mash Up?, a vibrant track from the 2014 Bollywood film Highway.
A Multi-Sensory Cinematic Experience
Rahman’s Le Musk pushes creative boundaries by integrating scent and motion into storytelling. Viewers wear VR headsets and sit in specially designed chairs that release fragrances synchronized with the film’s narrative—a first-of-its-kind experience in Singapore.
As Rahman continues to bridge cultures through music, his partnership with Singaporean artists reinforces the city-state’s growing influence in the global entertainment industry.
