Concert row: A.R. Rahman indicates ticket cost would be refunded
cops say bigger crowd than expected thronged venue
Chennai (PTI): Top composer A R Rahman on Monday said he would respond to the grievances of his audience who said they suffered because his September 10 concert held here was "mismanaged", and indicated that the ticket cost would be refunded.
Rahman posted his statement on social media platform X after a row broke out over the alleged mismanagement of his concert on Sunday evening that caused inconvenience to many.
The Oscar-winning Rahman held the concert titled 'Marakkuma Nenjam', meaning 'Can the heart forget' on September 10 at a private venue on East Coast Road (ECR)
Tambaram City Police Commissioner A Amalraj, under whose jurisdiction the venue on ECR falls, said nearly 15,000 people beyond the expected number of attendees converged there.
Enquiries will be held with the organisers of the event, he added.
A number of social media posts were put up by people complaining of being unable to reach the venue on time due to severe traffic congestion on the ECR. It even reportedly affected the movement of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin's convoy.
The social media posts were critical of the way things were handled on Sunday evening, and highlighted the traffic snarls, angry ticket-holders being denied access despite coughing up huge sums, and children suffering due to the crowd and people jostling to move ahead.
With online complaints pouring in, Rahman sought to address the issue.
"Dearest Chennai Makkale (people), those of you who purchased tickets and weren't able to enter owing to unfortunate circumstances, please do share a copy of your ticket purchase to arr4chennai@btos.in along with your grievances. Our team will respond asap," he said in a post on X.
ACTC Events, which managed the show, also responded on the social media platform.
"Grateful to Chennai and the legendary @arrahman Sir! The incredible response, the overwhelming crowd made our show a massive success. Those who couldn't attend on overcrowding, our sincere apologies. We take full responsibility and accountable (sic). We are with you. #MarakkumaNenjam," it said.
Disappointed music lovers had several tales to tell.
People complained of "overcrowding," and the event being "shabbily organised." "It was a waste of money," a disappointed woman said.
An angry music lover complained she had paid Rs 30,000 to enjoy the concert with her family and alleged that children were badly manhandled.
Many said it took hours for them to reach the venue but still could not get access due to overcrowding and mismanagement of the entire event.
"...pretty horrible -- not safe for children, could hear them crying and not safe for women at all," another fan was heard saying on a video. An angry man was seen tearing the tickets.
Another video showed children crying while people were jostling with each other to enter the venue.
"It was worst concert ever in the History #ARRahman #Scam2023 by #ACTC. Respect Humanity. 30 Years of the Fan in me died today Mr. #ARRAHMAN. #MarakkumaNenjam Marakkavey Mudiyathu (Can't forget). A performer in the stage can't never see what's happening at other areas just watch it," a social media post from a user "@NavzTweet" on X said.
Tambaram Police Commissioner Amalraj, who visited the spot, said arrangements for the event had been on for a week. The crowd was "more than expected," as 25,000 chairs were put "but 35,000 to 40,000 people turned up."
Enquiries were on to ascertain how the number of people increased manifold, even as police had to stop many from trying to make their way to the venue.
The venue where the concert was held was a "private land," the official told reporters, adding that issues including lack of proper drinking water facilities among others would be discussed with the organisers.
Due to rains earlier, the parking lot could not be utilised, following which many parked their vehicles on the road, leading to congestion, he added.
"Only due to police presence did no law-and-order (problems) or untoward issues happen," he said.
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89 killed as storm, rain batter UP; relief work underway
Lucknow (PTI): At least 89 people were killed after a strong storm and heavy rain pounded several districts of Uttar Pradesh, uprooting trees and damaging houses, according to the Relief Commissioner's office.
As the weather changed suddenly on Wednesday evening, many took shelter under trees and flyovers. Clouds of dust enveloped large parts of the state, reducing visibility and ripping hoardings and tin sheds.
High velocity winds also uprooted trees and electric poles, many of which blocked roads, crushed vehicles and damaged houses.
Rescue efforts were launched soon after. Some dug through the debris with bare hands to rescue those trapped while others rushed the injured, including children, to hospitals.
"Due to bad weather on May 13, including storms, rain, hailstorm and lightning, reports of 89 deaths, 53 injured persons, 114 livestock losses and damage to 87 houses have been received in the state, which has been taken cognisance of by the Hon'ble Chief Minister," the Relief Commissioner's office said in a post on X on Thursday.
It said the chief minister has directed all divisional commissioners and district magistrates to verify the incidents "with full sensitivity" and ensure financial assistance is distributed to affected families within 24 hours while establishing direct communication with them and extending other necessary help.
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The Relief Commissioner's office said it is continuously monitoring the situation through direct coordination with district officials and necessary funds are being made available to districts.
Various videos showing the damage caused by the violent storm were shared on social media, but one from Bamiyana village in Bareilly stood out.
The video shows a man being flung nearly 50 ft in the air along with a tin roof by gusts of wind and thrown in a field.
The man had held onto a tin shed to protect himself during the storm.
According to a list issued by the Prayagraj district administration, seven deaths were reported in the Handia area, four in Phulpur, three in Soraon, two in Meja and one in Sadar due to the storm and rain.
In Bhadohi, at least 16 people died in storm-related incidents.
Additional District Magistrate Kunwar Virendra Kumar Maurya said trees and electric poles were uprooted in several areas and many houses were damaged in the storm.
In Bhadohi's Rampur, several people fell into the Ganga after the storm damaged a pontoon bridge at the Ganga ghat. All of them were rescued safely.
In Mirzapur's Gaura Pramanpur, too, a pontoon bridge was damaged, cutting off 20 villages.
Fatehpur Additional District Magistrate Avinash Tripathi said nine people were killed and 16 injured in storm-related incidents in the district.
"Eight people, including five women, died in Khaga tehsil, while a woman died after a wall of a house collapsed in Sadar tehsil," he said.
In Pratapgarh, four people died in separate incidents of wall and cemented shed collapse and lightning strike amid strong winds and rain.
Superintendent of Police Deepak Bhukar said Bhim Yadav (25) died after he was trapped under the debris of a cemented shed that collapsed in Ojha Ka Purwa village in the Lalganj Kotwali area.
He said Bhushan Pandey (56) died after a wall collapsed in Sari Swami village under the Baghrai police station area.
Bhukar said Shanti Devi (46) of Narangpur village and Lal Bahadur (44) of Chhatrapur Shivala Raghna village also died in storm-related incidents.
In Kanpur Dehat district, two persons died in rain-related incidents.
Police sources said a 19-year-old woman, Ruchi, died after being struck by lightning in Bhauthari village under the Rasulabad area while sheltering under a tree with goats during heavy rain. Several goats also died in the incident.
A 60-year-old man standing nearby was injured, they said.
Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue) Dushyant Kumar said reports regarding human and livestock losses have been sought from local officials and financial assistance will be provided as per government rules.
In Deoria, Komal Yadav (62), a resident of Bhimpur Gaura village, died after being struck by lightning. Two others were injured in the incident.
In another incident, Ramnath Prasad (65), a resident of Neruari village, died in a lightning strike.
In Sonbhadra district, Madhav Singh (38) died after being trapped under an uprooted tree.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the loss of lives and damage caused by the unseasonal rain, thunderstorms and lightning, and directed officials to ensure relief reaches the affected families within 24 hours.
The CM has directed all districts to send updates on storm, rain and lightning-related damage every three hours and asked officials to publicise relief measures, including compensation disbursal, on social media, an official statement said.
According to the statement, reports of human casualties, livestock losses and crop damage have emerged from at least 19 districts, including Barabanki, Bahraich, Kanpur Dehat, Basti, Sambhal, Hardoi and Unnao. Several houses were also damaged due to inclement weather.
Adityanath also instructed the officials to remain alert and ordered the revenue and agriculture departments, along with insurance companies, to conduct a survey of the damage and submit a report to the government.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav termed the loss of lives in the state "extremely saddening".
He urged the government to immediately arrange free and proper treatment for the injured, ensure the supply of food and drinking water, and make temporary accommodation arrangements for those affected.
He also demanded dignified last rites for the deceased and appealed to Samajwadi Party workers in unaffected areas to help those impacted by the storm in every possible manner.
