As a Tamilian from Pondicherry who now lives in Toronto, seeing Anirudh Ravichander’s concert at Scotiabank Arena on August 25th, 2024 felt like a homecoming. I moved to Toronto to attend Sheridan College, leaving behind the familiar streets of Chennai and my friends. When I learned that Rockstar Anirudh, one of the best and most popular performers of my generation in India, was performing here, I knew I couldn’t miss it. I knew this concert would be more than simply a night out; it would take me back to my roots.
A Personal Connection
Anirudh’s music (and Yuvan, another favorite of mine) has always been a huge addition to the soundtrack of my life, especially during my undergrad education in Chennai. His songs were always there whether we were chilling with our friends or attending college fests. When I moved to Toronto, I had to leave those days behind, but the moment Anirudh took the stage and the first beats landed, I felt like I was back home. The energy in the arena was fantastic, with thousands of people like me gathering to bring back those experiences.
Why does this Matter?
For those of us living overseas, concerts like these mean more than mere entertainment. They provide us an opportunity to reconnect with our culture and relive the sounds that became such an important part of our lives back home. Anirudh’s music is more than just popular; it serves as a bridge connecting all of us to our beginnings, no matter how far we have traveled.
The crowd was incredible, and for a few hours, Toronto felt like Chennai, filled with the same energy and love.
I love attending as many concerts by Tamil artists as possible. In the past, I’ve enjoyed concerts by Yuvan Shankar Raja and Pradeep Kumar, and I’m looking forward to seeing even more Tamil artists perform in the future. If you’re interested in Tamil music, I’d be more than happy to provide recommendations. Just like me, you can enjoy the rich world of Tamil music, even here in Toronto.