Tsunami survivors pray for Rahman
R Venkatramani<http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/searchresult.aspx?AliasName=6LqqrZdvSpnDXWe|u6eYsw==> First Published : 28 Jan 2009 01:45:00 AM IST Last Updated : 28 Jan 2009 12:32:46 PM IST KARAIKAL: Thousands of hearts in 11 tsunami-hit villages near Karaikal are now beating for music<http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Tsunami+survivors+pray+for+Rahman&artid=h3XDiwKo1d8=&SectionID=vBlkz7JCFvA=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=EL7znOtxBM3qzgMyXZKtxw==&SEO=#>maestro A R Rahman. They fervently pray that the 'Mozart of Madras', who cared for them when they were in distress, brings home the Oscar on February 22. Though millions of Indians across the globe are also wishing the same, this prayer from tsunami survivors is something special. In the aftermath of tsunami attack, in a rare public appearance in July 2005, Rahman came calling the tsunami-hit Kottucherrymedu village near Karaikal and enthralled the tsunami survivors with his music. He spent nearly seven hours with the people. Though no publicity had been given about his visit, thousands of tsunami survivors from about 11 fishing hamlets gathered at Kottucherrymedu to listen to him. His private security guards had a tough time managing the crowd. When Rahman arrived at the village along with 'Drums' Shivamani and popular singers Hariharan, Karthik and others, about 600 school students of Kottucherrymedu and Karaikal gave him a resounding welcome by singing the patriotic songs composed by him. A large number of fishermen had gathered with garlands and shawls for presenting to Rahman. Later, he led a music concert in open air for nearly two hours. Not only did he enthrall the people with his music, but also went for a boat ride with them. Accompanied by opposition leader of Puducherry Assembly AMH Nazeem, Rahman ventured into the sea in a fibre boat along with the fishermen. While addressing the crowd, Rahman said that he had come to the village on his own to bring happiness to the troubled hearts through music. He called upon them to forget the sad memories of tsunami and march ahead with courage and faith towards a bright future. Today, nearly four years later, the people of the 11 hamlets thankfully remember his gesture. The news of three Oscar nominations for Rahman for Slumdog Millionaire has made the people immensely happy. "We are all praying that he wins all the three Oscars," said Senthil of Kottucherrymedu. He added that the youth of the village had planned to put up digital banners in praise of Rahman. http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Tsunami+survivors+pray+for+Rahman&artid=h3XDiwKo1d8=&SectionID=vBlkz7JCFvA=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=EL7znOtxBM3qzgMyXZKtxw==&SEO = -- regards, Vithur
