AR Rahman's 'Jai Ho' Takes Center Stage at Beating Retreat Ceremony
In a moment of musical patriotism, the armed forces band performed AR Rahman's Oscar-winning song 'Jai Ho' at the Beating Retreat ceremony in Delhi, marking the conclusion of the 77th Republic Day celebrations. The performance came amidst a swirling controversy surrounding the legendary composer's recent comments about Bollywood and alleged communal bias in the industry.
Patriotic Tunes Fill the Air at Vijay Chowk
The ceremony, held at Vijay Chowk, was attended by dignitaries including President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The event commenced with a National Salute, the hoisting of the tricolour, and the rendition of the national anthem, setting a solemn and respectful tone.
Following these formalities, the bands of the three services presented a medley of patriotic tunes that resonated across the venue. The performance included beloved classics such as:
- 'Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja'
- 'Incredible India'
- 'Veer Sainik'
- 'Mili Jhuli'
- 'Nritya Sarita'
- 'Marooni'
- 'Jhelum'
The Central Armed Police Forces bands joined in with their own stirring performances, featuring 'Vijay Bharat', 'Hathrohi', 'Jai Ho', and 'Veer Sipahi'. The inclusion of 'Jai Ho'—a song that has become synonymous with national pride since its Oscar win for Slumdog Millionaire—added a layer of contemporary significance to the traditional ceremony.
Controversy Surrounding AR Rahman's Comments
The performance of 'Jai Ho' carried added weight due to the recent uproar over AR Rahman's remarks during an interview with BBC Asian Network. The composer spoke candidly about challenges in Bollywood, hinting at bias within the industry.
'Maybe I never get to know of this, maybe it was concealed, but I didn't feel any of this. Maybe in the past eight years, because a power shift has happened and people who are not creative have the power now. It might be a communal thing also… but it is not in my face,' Rahman stated.
He further elaborated, 'It comes to me as Chinese whispers that they booked you but the music company went ahead and hired their five composers. I say good, I have more time to chill with my family. I am not in search for work. I don't want to go in search for work. I want work to come to me; my sincerity to earn work. Whatever I deserve, I get.'
These comments sparked swift reactions on social media, with critics accusing Rahman of making divisive statements. Prominent industry figures, including Javed Akhtar, Ram Gopal Varma, and Kangana Ranaut, publicly disagreed with his views, intensifying the debate and drawing widespread attention.
AR Rahman's Clarification and Ongoing Projects
In response to the controversy, AR Rahman shared a video statement on Instagram to clarify his intentions. He expressed that his words were misunderstood and emphasized his deep gratitude for India as a source of inspiration.
'India is my inspiration, my teacher and my home. I understand that intentions can sometimes be misunderstood. But my purpose has always been to uplift, honour, and serve through music. I have never wished to cause pain and I hope my sincerity is felt,' Rahman said.
He highlighted his commitment to multicultural expression and detailed his ongoing projects, which include:
- JHALAA at the WAVES Summit
- Collaborations with young Naga musicians
- Mentoring the Sunshine Orchestra
- Building Secret Mountain, India's first multicultural virtual band
- Scoring Ramayana alongside Hans Zimmer
Rahman concluded his statement by reaffirming his dedication to music that honours India's heritage and inspires future generations, signing off with 'Jai Hind and Jai Ho.' The video ended with a powerful scene of a cricket stadium singing his song 'Vande Mataram' in unison, symbolizing national unity.
The performance of 'Jai Ho' at the Beating Retreat ceremony thus served as both a celebration of patriotic music and a poignant moment in the ongoing narrative surrounding one of India's most celebrated composers.
