Music “maestro” and Oscar award winner AR Rahman was in the news in October 2024 when he endorsed Kamala Harris with a lineup of song dedications during the campaign for the US Presidency.
In the video, he says, “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.”
In the half-hour “dedication” video, which saw the likes of leftist supporter Chinmayi and a few others, Rahman sang quite a few songs in various languages. He expressed his support for “Indian origin” Kamala Harris for President.
AR Rahman performs #Singapenney in support of @KamalaHarris. @arrahman pic.twitter.com/AnrXKDK9Kf
— Kolly Buzz (@KollyBuzz) 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 centred on progress and representation. The performance was broadcast on 13 October 2024. It featured some of his most beloved songs, interwoven with messages underscoring Harris’s historic candidacy and her commitment to AAPI issues.
AR Rahman for Kamala Harris! https://t.co/p7PBuXwu85
— When we Fight, We Win!🌊🇺🇸 (@manju_iyengar) October 29, 2024
However, following the counting and subsequent results of the elections, which Harris lost, AR Rahman has become the butt of people’s jokes. Here are a few examples:
rt @/arrahman https://t.co/8sMN1uC5ux pic.twitter.com/jwQAGU1dSS
— republican naveen. (@sevarkodiii) November 6, 2024
பாய் @arrahman அவ்ளோதோன் முடிச்சு விட்டானுங்க போங்க 😭
விடியல் ஆட்சிக்கு சொம்பு தூக்கும் நமக்கு எதுக்கு பாய் international politics 🤡
#USA2024 #USAElection2024 pic.twitter.com/3U3wjvJAh8— Arvinth Easwaran (@arvinth_e) November 6, 2024
முடிச்சு விட்டான் @arrahman 😂💥#USElection2024 #Trump #Modi pic.twitter.com/oYpJQwCowl
— ᴋᴀʀᴛʜɪ (@SaffronTwitz) November 6, 2024
Ar rahman magic did not work
pic.twitter.com/syA2XHNkMT— Iswarya Mohan (@IswaryaMohan7) November 6, 2024
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