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CNA
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNA
AR Rahman on The Lord Of The Rings musical, Singapore adventures and Ramayana
From creating music for The Lord Of The Rings musical to working with Hans Zimmer on the Bollywood film Ramayana to his memories of coming to Singapore for the first time, the acclaimed Indian composer shares his creative process with CNA Lifestyle.
CNA
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNA
AR Rahman meets The Lord Of The Rings: How the acclaimed Indian composer brought Middle-earth to life
When the musical adaptation of The Lord Of Rings opens in Singapore this August, it won't just bring Middle-earth to life on stage, it will also celebrate the music of one of the world's most celebrated composers, AR Rahman. The Academy- Award winning musician behind global hits such as Slumdog Millionaire and Bombay Dreams is the musical force behind the musical, which makes its Asia premiere at Marina Bay Sands' Sands Theatre from Aug 12 to 31. In an interview with CNA Lifestyle via Zoom, Rahman, who was in San Francisco for his concert tour, spoke candidly about his journey with the musical, his creative ambitions and his deep connection with Singapore. BUILDING A TIMELESS LEGACY IN MUSICAL THEATRE 'The Lord Of The Rings came about because I did Bombay Dreams with Andrew Lloyd Webber,' he shared. 'The CEO of the production was Kevin Wallace, when he went out and started his own company, he remembered me and said, it would be awesome to have AR in this thing.' At the time, Rahman admitted that he was not familiar with author JRR Tolkien's work. That changed in 2001 when Peter Jackson's film trilogy came out. He dove into the world of hobbits, elves and dark lords just in time for the musical that debuted in 2004. By the time he was invited to work on the musical, he was no stranger to London's creative circles. Having already spent two to three years in the city, he was immersed in its musical theatre scene while also working on projects back at home in India. What excited Rahman most was the opportunity to bring his cultural identity to the global stage and give a fresh perspective. 'My question always is, what have Indians contributed to the world? How can we contribute to the mainstream kind of a thing rather than just doing basic Asian, Indian stuff,' he shared. 'I don't want to be pigeonholed into being an Indian composer, Tamil composer or Hindi composer. Music is universal and I want to see what I can bring to something new to this Middle Europe, Middle-earth kind of thing.' He added: 'It was an exciting project, because it was a non-Indian project and that's the kind of thing I want to do more. In that perspective, it was a big achievement." Rahman is well-known for his seamless blending of musical traditions and The Lord Of The Rings was no exception. He curated music using his signature approach of using emotionally resonant and culturally expansive melodies. 'Even though it doesn't have an Indian kind of influence in it, melody is melody,' he said. To bring the mythical world of Middle-earth to life on stage, he also worked alongside some of the biggest names in theatre, including playwright Matthew Warchus, known for his critically acclaimed productions, such as Matilda. '[Working with the team] helped me to realise what I have to learn or what I have to unlearn,' he shared. 'Matthew Warchus is a very critically acclaimed kind of director. And his vision for musical theatre is completely different from what Andrew Lloyd Webber would do. So it was nice to see both sides of musical theatre with – Webber on Bombay Dreams and Warchus with The Lord Of The Rings.' He also worked alongside Finnish folk band Varttina, who handled the earthy, ancient textures of Middle-earth. Rahman, meanwhile, focused on the cinematic elements – the orchestration of war, the emotional highs and lows, and the sound of darkness. 'It was a cool process. Because the Lord Of The Rings goes to a very, very dark stage, unbearably dark stage,' he said laughing. 'So while writing and recording, it was a bit too much. But I think we did it.' For Rahman, his music has never been just about sound. It's about crafting an experience. He approaches his work like a director, considering everything from poster design to font choices, ensuring that every detail aligns with his creative vision. "We are what our choices are, our work is our choice of listening or writing,' he said. 'Lately, I've been kind of controlling that. So that my real feel of what I want the people to see of myself, my evolution comes through better. 'So people don't think that some third person is doing it... when we do like musical theatre or anything produced from India, it'll have a certain kind of quality which will be very unique,' he added. For the musical, Rahman turned to an eclectic mix of instruments such as the nyckelharpa (a Swedish string instrument), violin, brass, flutes and even voices. For the vocals he collaborated with a Bosnian singer, Alma Ferovic. The collaboration blossomed into a long-standing friendship and Ferovic later worked with him on the Bollywood hit film Rockstar. With the musical being reimagined for a new era, Rahman believes it's the perfect time for the production to take the spotlight once again. 'The musical is being reinvented,' he shared. 'I think right now the adaptation is very cool, it's very immersive and it can still contain the whole story.' AR RAHMAN ON THE REAL CHALLENGE BEHIND THE PRODUCTION Were there any challenges when he composed the music for the beloved classic? Rahman admits that the hardest part wasn't the epic scope or the extensive work, but being away from home. With a laugh, he recalled the one thing he missed the most during his time in London: 'Home food'. 'I was really missing home,' he said. 'I had to stay there for like a month or two and come back, go back again. I was trying to manage film scores in India.' 'When my mother was there, it was a compulsion that I should eat with her. Because that's the kind of love she has. Even if my sisters come, she's like, 'Go, I'll do it for my son',' he said. Beyond homesickness, there were practical hurdles too. 'I didn't have a studio there, I had to rent a studio,' he added. 'Going out of the comfort zone is when you realise what life is, what people go through. And that is probably an exercise for further bigger things you do in life,' he said with a smile. SINGAPORE: WHERE IT ALL BEGAN While his music makes his way to Singapore next month, turns out, the city holds a far deeper meaning for him. Decades before he became a global icon, Singapore was the first country he travelled to, a gateway from his hometown in Tamil Nadu to the wider world. 'We couldn't afford to go to the USA and UK and all of Europe and all those places. So the nearest place where we can get electronic instruments and musical instruments was Singapore for us,' he shared. 'I have fond memories of Singapore and the energy which the city brings – it's not faded, even after I've been there in 1986, it's going to be almost 38 years since I visited.' Today, the same city where he once searched for his instruments now hosts his virtual reality film Le Musk, along with the upcoming musical. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ARR (@arrahman) AR RAHMAN AND HANS ZIMMER'S FULL CIRCLE MOMENT When Rahman recently posted a selfie with Hans Zimmer, the legendary German film composer behind The Lion King, Inception and Interstellar, it was not just another backstage moment. It was the soft launch of a monumental collaboration on the upcoming Bollywood film Ramayana, one of the most ambitious projects in Indian cinema to date. When we asked him about the collaboration and his eyes lit up. '[The story of] Ramayana is a cultural identity for India and I'm so proud that I'm part of it,' he shared. In fact, he revealed that Zimmer had invited him for a collaboration 15 years back. '[He said] let's do something together. But I was busy with my own work. And it's nice to take that invitation, which he wanted. It's all coming together and it's like a full circle.' Having pushed creative boundaries, with his work outside of just composing music, Rahman remains restless. 'I don't want to limit myself just as a composer or as a musician,' he said. 'Art is like an ocean and we have a lot of challenges now. We have to reinvent everything to engage people.' So what is the project he's most proud of? Rahman, the man with over hundred accolades, cheekily smiled.
New Straits Times
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: 'KPop Demon Hunters' lead vocalist Andrew Choi to host workshops in Singapore
SINGAPORE: Whether they're swooning over Jinu in KPop Demon Hunters or grooving to "Soda Pop," Singaporean fans are in for a treat! Andrew Choi, the smooth vocals behind the animated heartthrob, is heading to Singapore to share his secrets, one high note at a time. As CNA Lifestyle reported yesterday, KPop Demon Hunters has become a global streaming sensation, and Singapore is set to receive a double dose of Demon Hunter energy on July 29. Fans can also catch Ahn Hyo-seop, the voice actor behind Jinu, at a promotional event for his new film, Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy. Choi, who provided Jinu's singing voice and has collaborated with K-pop heavyweights like NCT 127 and Shinee, will host exclusive vocal workshops at SM Universe (Singapore), the K-pop training academy launched by SM Entertainment. Group classes will run on July 26 and 27, from 11am to 12.30pm, where participants will delve into the vocal techniques behind "Soda Pop."
CNA
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
First look: The new Singapore Oceanarium, formerly SEA Aquarium, features 22 zones and over 40,000 marine animals
The Singapore Oceanarium – formerly known as the SEA Aquarium – will officially reopen on Jul 24 after a three-month transformation. Located within Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), the revamped space features 22 zones dedicated to marine education, conservation and immersive storytelling. The new attraction also features a Research and Learning Centre, offering immersive behind-the-scenes experiences, educational programmes and hands-on workshops to promote marine conservation. This space, along with select zones within the Singapore Oceanarium, can also be booked for private events. To mark its opening, a range of complimentary programmes will be available with the purchase of a same-day admission ticket from Jul 24 to Aug 31. Visitors can view the full list of activities and book their slots online. Tickets to the Singapore Oceanarium are now available on its official website. Prices start at S$50 for adults and S$42 for children aged three to 12, as well as for senior citizens aged 60 and above. Singapore residents enjoy discounted rates, with tickets starting from S$42 for adults and S$35 for children and seniors. CNA Lifestyle attended a media preview of the Singapore Oceanarium on Wednesday (Jul 16). Have your most comfortable pair of shoes on because it took us about three hours to explore the entire space – covering nearly 5km on foot. But you don't have to do that on an empty stomach because there are several places where you can grab a bite or a sip during your visit. Here's a look at some of the highlights across the zones: 1) OCEAN WONDERS Be mesmerised by one of the ocean's oldest survivors – sea jellies, which have been drifting through the seas for over 500 million years. Step into the zone and take in a photo-worthy sight: Thousands of moon jellies pulsing and gliding under immersive lighting and ethereal soundscapes, housed within one of the world's largest kreisel habitats. This specialised habitat for jellyfish and other delicate marine creatures also houses Atlantic sea nettles, fried egg sea jellies and more. 2) CONQUERING LAND Enter a world where past and present, land and water converge. Discover species that evolved from land-dwelling ancestors and later adapted to life in water – like the Japanese giant salamander and the poison dart frog. You'll also meet social media stars like the axolotl, a species that never outgrows its aquatic youth – if you're lucky, you might even catch one 'smiling' at you. Many of these fascinating creatures are endangered or under threat in the wild. 3) SINGAPORE'S COAST This zone celebrates marine life native to Singapore's coastline and mangrove shores. Spot local species such as the archerfish, barred mudskipper, knobbly sea star and spotted seahorse – all adapted to thrive in our ever-changing waters and vital to our mangrove ecosystem. There are also a couple of interactive activities here, perfect for both kids and adults. Dip your hands into a tank of cleaner shrimps (the same species as Jacques from Finding Nemo!) and watch as they scuttle over to nibble at the dead skin from your palms. At the heart of the Oceanarium lies its most expansive habitat, featuring a 36m-wide viewing panel – one of the largest in the region. This 18-million-litre habitat is home to marine animals such as manta rays, spotted eagle rays and zebra sharks. Visitors can grab a light snack at Ocean Bites while enjoying panoramic views of the deep. 5) ANCIENT WATERS Step back in time and discover prehistoric marine creatures that once ruled the seas, including Dunkleosteus and Xiphactinus, brought to life through life-sized animatronics. Explore fossil displays, interactive discovery points and digital experiences to learn about ancient marine organisms, and meet living relics like the Australian lungfish, arapaima, horseshoe crab and epaulette shark. Meet the ocean's silent travellers, where every journey is a story of survival and resilience. Vertical migrators, like the Japanese pineapplefish, rise from the depths and move with the changing light. Meanwhile, horizontal migrators such as the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin navigate across oceans with precision, guided by instincts honed over generations. Discover how a whale fall – the final resting place of a whale – gives rise to a thriving deep-sea ecosystem. Walk through a life-sized whale fall skeleton and learn how its gradual decomposition sustains countless species for decades, brought to life through an immersive projection show. This zone also features live deep-sea species that thrive in extreme environments, such as the Japanese isopod, deep akaza prawn and the Australian ghostshark. 8) SHARK SEAS Stand before a large viewing panel and see how many different shark species you can spot. Then step into the Shark Tunnel, where sharks glide overhead and circle around you, offering a thrilling close-up view of their movements and behaviour. 9) BENTHOS Experience the vibrant marine life found near the bottom of shallow seas. Admire a cylindrical habitat teeming with species like the banggai cardinalfish and yellow tang – each playing a vital role in this underwater ecosystem. Conclude your visit at the gift shop, where you'll find marine-inspired merchandise – including an axolotl plush toy. All products are designed with sustainability in mind, and some are created in collaboration with local artists to promote conscious consumption.
AsiaOne
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
Hazelle Teo announces engagement to pianist James Wong, Entertainment News
Wedding bells will soon be ringing for Hazelle Teo. The Yes933 DJ, 31, announced her engagement to pianist-content creator James Wong, 24, in an Instagram post yesterday (June 6). "It was on the last day of my Qingdao work trip that this completely took me by surprise," she wrote in her caption. "I arrived at the hotel at 1am, looking like a mess and all ready to rest before heading to the airport at 6am. "But when I opened the door, I was greeted by soft orange lighting, lots of flowers, someone holding a camera, plenty of confusion… and then I saw my then-boyfriend (now fiance, lol) standing there nervously." The photo carousel Hazelle posted shows the hotel room decorated with white roses and candles, and a heart-shaped cake with "Marry me" written on it. She is dressed casually in an oversized shirt and jeans. Hazelle found out that she would not be returning to Singapore yet, as James had asked her work for leave a month in advance and had brought her spare clothes in his luggage. "He planned it all — quietly, sweetly, thoughtfully — and it turned out to be even more beautiful than I ever imagined," Hazelle added. "This feels so right. We feel so right. The rest of our lives feels so right. "We're so excited to begin this new chapter together, and thank you for sharing in our joy." [embed] Hazelle told CNA Lifestyle that she had come across James on her Instagram explore page in 2024, and reached out to collaborate. "I thought 'Hey, this guy is pretty cute. He plays the piano. Let me reach out to him to do a Taylor Swift song [where] I would sing and he would play the piano'. To my surprise, he agreed," she said. [embed] Hazelle also used the opportunity to ask for James' Telegram handle so they could talk more, but the latter wasn't initially very receptive to her attempts at conversation until she asked him out for supper one evening. "That night we spoke for a solid three hours. We just went on and on and on," she shared. "After that night, it just felt like we could still keep talking about so many more things. And that's when he became more responsive on Telegram." "I could feel the dynamics between us shift a little bit. Things between us progressed quite smoothly and swiftly, because it just felt so, so right." Germaine Tan also engaged Fellow jock Germaine Tan also shared news of her engagement to Zouk Group CEO Andrew Li on June 1. The 987FM DJ shared: "Andrew has always known my appreciation for sunsets and ocean, so he'd been planning this secretly for some time. In the Maldives, on a private sandbank, while the evening sun approached the horizon over the open ocean. It couldn't have felt more right." After Andrew made his heartfelt speech, Germaine revealed she got nervous and didn't get to respond appropriately, instead going: "What should I say now? Yes?" However, she thanked him in her Instagram post for his "patience, gentleness, and kindness" and wrote that she could not imagine life without him as her "pillar of support". Germaine also thanked her loved ones and concluded: "With that, cheers to the rest of our lives." [embed] [[nid:718815]] drimac@
