U2 Live || AHIMSA with A. R. RAHMAN & daughters || The Joshua Tree Tour 2019 || Mumbai || 2019-12-15

U2 Ahimsa with A. R. Rahman and daughter perform Ahimsa live during their The Joshua Tree Tour 2019 concert in Mumbai, India, DY Patil Stadium on December 15th, 2019. 

#U2 & #ARRahman – #Ahimsa
#U2Gigs #U2Live #ARRahmanLive

“Ahimsa” is a Sanskrit word for non-violence, and the U2 single celebrates the spiritual diversity of India. The press release for the single read in part, “To mark U2’s first ever visit to India, Island Records today announced the release of a new track titled “Ahimsa” from U2 and legendary composer A.R. Rahman. Available to stream now on all platforms. “Ahimsa” – the Sanskrit word for non-violence – celebrates the spiritual diversity of India and connects the ethos of U2 with the mastery of A.R. Rahman. The collaboration comes less than one month ahead of U2’s first ever show in India with the arrival of The Joshua Tree Tour in Mumbai on December 15.” The song was the first song of new music released by U2 since their album Songs of Experience was released in December 2017.

“Ahimsa” starts with Edge’s shimmer reverb sound, and arpeggiated intro chords. There is a pre-chorus, sang in a Tamil by Khatija and Raheema Rahman, A.R. Rahman’s daughters. This is repeated at the end of the song. Bono sings lead vocals, and A.R. Rahman joins him in the last chorus. Adam and Larry are quite low in the mix. The song was produced by Duncan Stewart, a member of U2’s live crew, and credited on the album Songs of Experienceas well. The mix of the song was done by Steve Lillywhite. The song, as with most U2 releases, was mastered by Scott Sedillo.

Rahman is an Indian music producer, singer and songwriter. Rahman previously produced a song called “Ahimsa” for the soundtrack to The Viceroy’s House, but that song is not related to this U2 release. Rahman is a winner of awards at the Oscars, Grammy’s, BAFTAAwards, and the Golden Globes for his work on the soundtrack to Slumdog Millionaire.

Commenting on the collaboration, Rahman said, “Ahimsa requires courage and strength. A quality that is impervious to weapons or power. It’s a mission which is most needed to heal the modern world and it is incredible timing to collaborate with U2, with their amazing legacy, to revive this movement.” U2 guitarist The Edge added that it had been a joy to work with A.R. on this track, “A superstar and a talent both towering and generous, we are especially excited to visit his homeland in just a few weeks. India has been on our bucket list for a very long time, the principles of ahimsa or non-violence have served as an important pillar of what our band stands for since we first came together to play music. We can’t wait to experience the culture of India first hand, a place that brings together the modern and the ancient all at once.”

Rahman’s daughters, Khatija and Raheema also contribute vocals on the track. They contributed the first verse to the track, two couplets from the 32nd chapter Tirukkural, a Tamil language book on virtue, wealth and love with a focus on ethics and morality, written around 500AD or earlier. Their voices can also be heard at the end of the song singing.

Music by U2 and A.R. Rahman
Lyrics by Bono and A.R. Rahman

Ahimsa:
Lyrics by A.R.Rahmen and U2
Performed by U2 and A.R. Rahman
Produced and engineered by Duncan Stewart
Mixed by Steve Lillywhite
Vocals by Bono & A.R. Rahman
Additional vocals by Khatija Rahman and Raheema Rahman
Additional engineering by Arjun Chandy, Karthik Sekaran, Kelana Halim and Suresh Permal
Mastered by Scott Sedillo
Guitar: The Edge
Bass Guitar: Adam Clayton
Drums and Percussion: Larry Mullen
Keyboards: A.R. Rahman

Ahimsa Lyrics 

செய்யாமற்செற்றார்க்கும்இன்னாதசெய்தபின்
உய்யாவிழுமந்தரும்
பிறர்க்கின்னா முற்பகல் செய்யின் தமக்கின்னா
பிற்பகல் தாமே வரும்
I’ll meet you the sky is TORN
I’ll meet you in the air
I’ll meet you before the world was born 
and we had not a care

This is an invitation to a high location 
For someone who wants to BELONG
This is a meditation on your radio station
If you like it you can sing along

Ahimsa
Ahimsa
Ahimsa
Ahimsa

I’ll meet you where there is no weeping
Your tears are not a stream
I’ll meet you where there is no sleeping 
where we wake up to dream

This is an invitation to a high location
For someone who wants to BELONG 
This is a meditation on your radio station
If you like it you can sing along

Ahimsa
Ahimsa
Ahimsa
Ahimsa
Ahimsa
Ahimsa
Ahimsa