No filter: When Rahman’s humour and music won hearts at a women’s college

Invitees and nominees were on time, students stayed back after hours and I’m told attendance that day was close to perfect. The college A-cappella group was a bundle of nerves and could be heard practising a medley of Rahman’s hits in a dull murmur in the crowd. I had the privilege of hosting the show and catching all the action right in front of my eyes.

How does one know when one of the most soft-spoken celebrities has arrived at the venue? By the dull murmur that turns into deafening shrieks of excitement and everyone’s smiles go from ear to ear. The ever-affable celebrity that he is, after decades of being in the limelight, greeted the crowd with his dimpled smile and made a cheeky comment saying, “The last time I visited a women’s college, it was in 1995…”. He took a dramatic pause, letting the crowd finish the sentence as they deem fit in their minds.

So, underneath the self-effacing ways and immense humility, is a man with a great sense of humour, who is also a consummate entertainer. He quickly followed it up with, “I’m inspired by the youngsters of today,” which pretty much sent every student of the college into a tizzy. Once the show started, he was one of the most involved chief guests one would come across, responding and reacting to every performance on stage with his demeanour calming a few nerves. Recipients of the Yuva Samman Awards given out by the college — who were all women with a tall list of achievements — were rendered speechless at the sight of Rahman. I wonder if he has this effect on everyone!

When asked to address the audience, the maestro said he had no plans of lecturing the students, however, he did take a moment to be the playful father and pull his daughter Rahima’s leg a little. From joking about her punctuality in front of her peers and teachers, he gave the audience another sneak peek into that lovely sense of humour. Those present turned into puppets, that awwed at the sweet father daughter relationship and heartily laughed at his jokes. Everyone collectively lost their minds at his rendition of Singapenney — a befitting end to an awards night celebrating women.

As always, Rahman prefers to communicate to the world through his music. Energised and feeling ready to take on the world the audience left the event more energised than they came in, as the much-loved musician cemented his place in our collective hearts.