A R Rahman presented two songs from the hit musical Bombay Dreams, including the infectious Shaklaka Baby, sung in English by Vasundhara Das, who appeared at a Rahman concert for the first time in New York.

"Given the war situation, we were praying hard the show should succeed," Bharat Jotwani, promoter of the New York event, had told rediff.com a few days ago.

"I don't see no reason why people should stay away," he continued. "The best of Broadway shows are going full. And this is no ordinary event. Who knows how long we will have to wait for Rahman to return for a concert with so many wonderful singers?"