AR Rahman to deliver peace concert in Australia

OSCAR-WINNING MUSICIAN A R Rahman (who composed the sound track for Slumdog Millionaire) will deliver a free concert in Sydney (Australia) to make a 'statement of peace' in view of the recent racial attacks on Indian students in Australia. He reportedly said that this concert, to be held at Parramatta Park on January 16, was an attempt to 'reunite culturally and spiritually' in view of the recent bad vibes generated in the recent spate of violence. He hopes that it will create a 'bridge of understanding and love' and break down 'cultural misunderstanding'. Premier Nathan Rees of New South Wales has congratulated Rahman for this offer.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed has applauded Rehman's gesture of goodwill and has called on prominent Australian entertainers to respond with similar gestures in major cities of India. Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan recently refused an honorary degree from the Queensland University of Technology in view of the racial attacks.

Rahman, who has reportedly recorded sales of over 300 million, has been referred to as the 'Mozart of Madras' by Time magazine. Pop icon Michael Jackson had reportedly approached him before his death to partner on a peace anthem on the lines of 'We are the World'. Rahman sees music as a "way to connect to spirituality and embrace it."

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