The Indian music industry is largely dominated by Indian film soundtracks. For decades the music industry has welcomed various composers and musicians, but few have become icons with their compositions. A.R. Rahman needs no introduction when we talk about maestros of modern Indian music. Known as ‘Mozart of Madras’, A.R. Rahman has recently released the 99 Songs Special Concert — a digital show chronicling the music of his upcoming film 99 Songs. Streaming in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, the 99 Songs Special Concert sees Academy and Grammy Award-winning composer Rahman unite with the voices of the 99 Songs soundtrack.
Since lighting played an important role for the digital concert experience, veteran Lighting Designer Becket Tundatil have opted for MA Lighting grandMA3 lighting console. Becket shares his compatibility of using MA console, “MA is the first and only choice when it comes to AR Rahman’s live show. As I often tour with A.R. Rahman, grandMA3 console is very user-friendly and easy to create show-files which is a priority. Since most of the shows are pre-programmed with few updates, MA console saves my time after creating show-files. This makes my life easy and enhances my lighting skills”. Becket continues. “For the online streaming show I have used Sharpy (160 no’s), LED wash (80 no’s), LED Par (200 no’s) and a grandMA3 Light console.”
MA Product Manager /Tech Support Engineer Kakkaroda Ajay Teja from Hi-Tech Audio Systems stepped in to help with the technical part. Hi-Tech Audio Systems is the distributor for MA Lighting in India. “As a technical expert my main role for this one-of-a-kind digital concert was to manage the event show-file on the console. I have also used Art-Net protocol to send DMX data from the grandMA3 Lighting console to the Lighting fixtures. Since I was working from a remote place and not at the venue, I have provided the Technical Support for creating the MA Network backup solution with the onPC application. Such features and software from MA really makes it easier for us to provide impeccable technical support to our clients”, explains Ajay.
The grandMA3 Light console for A.R. Rahman’s 99 Songs Special Concert was rented out by Udaya Lights Ltd., Kerala. Azeem from Lumos Lighting Ltd, accompanied Becket Tundatil in operating the show and on-venue support. Azeem has a vast experience about entertainment lighting scenario as he has been part of this industry for more than a decade. The show was directed by Mr. Nazeef Muhammed from BtoS Productions , Mumbai and Azeem has worked along with the show director to light up the grand stage. The grandMA3 Light console was purchased from Hi-Tech Audio Systems, New Delhi by Azeem. Lumos company.
“At this time of global pandemic, it’s very difficult for entrepreneurs to escalate their business in the live entertainment industry. But such grand experience ticketed digital concerts can play an important role to maximize business. Moreover the support from international brands like MA Lighting can be beneficial for India’s live entertainment industry”, concludes Rajan Gupta, Managing Director of Hi-Tech Audio Systems.
