Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam has warmly praised Oscar-winning Indian composer AR Rahman for his ongoing collaboration with local musicians, describing it as a valuable contribution to the nation’s cultural landscape.
AR Rahman praised by Singapore president Tharman Shanmugaratnam for supporting local musicians
In a social media post on June 2, Tharman highlighted how Rahman has supported Singapore’s local artists over time. “ARR has benefited our own talent by providing them with valuable exposure,” he told The Straits Times.
Commenting on Singapore’s diverse arts landscape, the President remarked, “Our Indian music and cultural talents, ranging from classical to the most modern and edgy, are naturally a minority here. Yet, they add a unique richness to Singapore’s multicultural identity.”
It was an honour meeting President @Tharman_S. My company, @ARRimmersive, looks forward to collaborating more with Singaporean artists on cutting-edge creative projects that push the boundaries of art and technology.
Grateful for the love at the Le Musk premiere.
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— A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) June 3, 2025
“It was an honour meeting President @Tharman_S. My company, @ARRimmersive, looks forward to collaborating more with Singaporean artists on cutting-edge creative projects that push the boundaries of art and technology. Grateful for the love at the Le Musk premiere.”
Tharman mentioned several Singaporean artists who have collaborated with the renowned composer, including the rapper-songwriter duo Lady Kash and Krissy, singer Shabir, and rapper Yung Raja. Notably, Rahman’s 2014 film Highway included the song ‘Wanna Mash Up?’ created in partnership with Lady Kash and Krissy.
The President also added a personal note, recalling Rahman’s early connection to Singapore. In the 1980s, the composer made his first international visit to the city-state and purchased his music equipment from well-known local stores Swee Lee and City Music. “It’s great to see that both stores are still thriving after all these years,” Tharman remarked.
Tharman also shared photos from his recent meeting with the music maestro, who was in Singapore for the premiere of his directorial debut Le Musk—a 37-minute virtual reality film combining scent, music, and immersive visuals. The film is currently showing at Golden Village Suntec City until August 12, where viewers sit in specially designed egg-shaped chairs, wear VR headsets, and experience scents released during pivotal scenes.
Rahman’s connection with Singapore spans many years. He has performed there several times, including doing shows at Gardens by the Bay in 2014, the Singapore Indoor Stadium in 2005, Marina Bay Sands in 2011, and most recently at the National Stadium in August 2024.
Also Read : Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life audio launch rocks Chennai with A R Rahman’s live performance
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