SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): A.R. Rahman loves to tell stories. Narrative is of great importance to the celebrated Indian musician, and it is a key part of his creative approach.

Music is an immersive experience, the 58-year-old Indian music maestro tells The Straits Times via Zoom from Oakland, San Francisco, where his The Wonderment concert tour stopped by.

The prolific film composer and singer, known for his Oscar-winning score and song Jai Ho for the film Slumdog Millionaire (2008), is expanding his love for storytelling into the virtual-reality (VR) world with Secret Mountain, a virtual band he created using artificial intelligence (AI).

Rahman’s first teaser came in February 2024, when he shared a trailer about the six-member group on Instagram.

While the project is still in its early stages, storytelling is central to Secret Mountain. Describing the group – comprising three males (Ekam, David and Zentamizh) and three females (Cara, Blessing and Aafia) – as “very cinematic”, Rahman has created a backstory for them and is preparing a movie.

It is this same storytelling approach that Rahman focused on when he composed the musical adaptation of The Lord Of The Rings in 2006, which makes its Asia premiere at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, on Aug 12.

Presented by Base Entertainment Asia, "The Lord Of The Rings – A Musical Tale" is based on English author J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved epic fantasy book series (1954 to 1955), instead of director Peter Jackson’s action-packed Oscar-winning film trilogy (2001 to 2003).

The three-hour show is told from the perspective of hobbits Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin, and follows the four friends’ adventures as they seek to destroy a powerful magical ring.

The Lord Of The Rings – A Musical Tale, starring (from left) Rarmian Newton as Frodo and Terence Crawford as Gandalf. - PHOTO: DANIEL BOUD via The Straits Times/ANN

Rahman, who worked alongside Finnish folk band Varttina and Tony-winning musical composer Christopher Nightingale, admitted he did not know much about Tolkien’s novels when Kevin Wallace, chief executive of the theatrical production, first approached him.

Rahman had just finished working with famed British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber on the Bollywood-themed musical Bombay Dreams. It opened in 2002 in the West End in London and closed in 2004, and was Rahman’s first stage production.

Rahman turned to Jackson’s films for reference and started reading Tolkien’s source material and the musical’s book to prepare.

Composing for "The Lord Of The Rings – A Musical Tale" was a difficult and exhausting process.

His inspiration stemmed from extensive research into the type of music that would best suit the story and setting. He avoided using Indian ragas or music styles, focusing instead on Western classical and theatrical traditions.

His favourite song is Lothlorien, sung by elven queen Galadriel, because it is “very spiritual, surreal and mystical” – qualities that he deeply enjoys and connects with.

“Scoring for a musical is very different from composing for a movie,” says Rahman. “For instance, songs often serve as an interval or music video that do not necessarily advance the story.

“In a musical, every song must move the narrative forward. There are no visual gimmicks or exotic shots to rely on – the music and lyrics must carry the story.”

He adds: “If the songs don’t propel the narrative forward, the musical will fail. The songs are not just standalone numbers.”

Rahman spent about 1½ to two years on this job. He explains that his goal was to capture the right feel and vibe for the musical, ensuring the music created an immersive experience for the audience.

"The Lord Of The Rings – A Musical Tale" made its debut at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto, Canada, in 2006. It then travelled to Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London in 2007, where it played until 2008, earning five Laurence Olivier Awards nominations that year.

It was revived in 2023 at Watermill Theatre in Britain, followed by a staging at Chicago Shakespeare Theater in the US in 2024 before making its way to New Zealand, Australia and Singapore, with an Australian cast.

The current production sees the actors doubling as musicians, instead of relying on an orchestra.

While Rahman – who feels proud that the musical has stood the test of time – values the involvement of an orchestra, he appreciates the innovative approach and calls the production “immersive”.

“It captures the essence of the original music while giving it more soul,” he says.

Note: "The Lord Of The Rings – A Musical Tale" will be held at the Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore from Aug 12 to 31. - The Straits Times/ANN