Indian music maestro AR Rahman has thrown his support behind US Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign, recording a 30-minute performance video ahead of the upcoming 5 November 2024 election. At 57, Rahman is the first prominent South Asian artist to back Harris for the presidency, marking a significant cultural endorsement as the campaign seeks to energize diverse voter communities.
💡👀 #ARRahman recorded a 30-minute performance to support |#KamalaHarris in her presidential campaign ahead of the #USelections. He is the first South Asian international artist to endorse Harris, who has Indian and African heritage. Rahman performed the song "Singapenne" at a… pic.twitter.com/C0jIw8FvwG
— Saikiran Kannan | 赛基兰坎南 (@saikirankannan) October 14, 2024
The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Victory Fund announced the performance, describing it as an influential act of solidarity. Shekar Narasimhan, chairman of the AAPI Victory Fund, highlighted that Rahman’s contribution was not merely a musical offering but a “call to action,” urging the community to rally for a future centered on progress and representation. The performance was broadcast on 13 October 2024. It features some of his most beloved songs, interwoven with messages underscoring Harris’s historic candidacy and her commitment to AAPI issues.
In the video, he is seen saying, “Kamala Harris’s vision for a more equitable world is an inspiration for us all. Her interest in focusing on what unites us instead of what divides us is a message that is very important not just for the United States but for the world. As a fellow South Asian Tamizh person, I am deeply proud of her commitment to making the world a better place. I look forward to having the first female President.”
The performance also features his Singappenney song which is a song from the film Bigil and is considered as a women’s anthem.
Rahman’s endorsement has stirred conversation. Some see it as a bridge to mobilize South Asian and AAPI communities, while others raise concerns over Harris’s stance on various foreign policy matters.
The endorsement sparked a backlash from critics who took issue with Rahman supporting a U.S. political figure amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Israel’s military actions. Some detractors accused Rahman of ignoring the complexities of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, including military aid to Israel, which they argue perpetuates conflicts involving groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. Accusations of compromising principles for political gain surfaced, with some lamenting Rahman’s lack of public statements on the humanitarian situation in Palestine.
Rahman has not made a statement on the ongoing war between Israel and its neighbouring countries, nor has he condemned the Hamas attack on Israel in 2023. By endorsing Kamala, critics wonder if he is also endorsing the war in the Middle East and the crimes against humanity.
(With inputs from India Today)
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