The inaugural concert of the Quarantine From Reality (QFR) High 5 Tour drew an enthusiastic crowd of over 800 members from the Tamil community on May 24, 2025, in Vienna, Virginia. The event attracted attendees not only from the Washington DC metropolitan area but also from neighboring states such as Pennsylvania and Delaware. Over the course of a three-hour program, the audience was taken on a nostalgic journey through classic Tamil songs composed by musical legends including M.S. Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, Ilayaraja, and A.R. Rahman.
This event served a dual purpose as a fundraiser for the World Tamil Music Development Center (WTMDC), which was established in April 2022. The center aims to create a global platform dedicated to Tamil music resources, providing educational materials, literary compositions, and curated musical content for enthusiasts worldwide.
QFR was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic and rapidly gained popularity due to its distinctive ability to evoke memories from the golden age of Tamil cinema music. Although global lockdowns have since ended, QFR’s appeal has not diminished; the show has amassed a worldwide following and has produced over 700 episodes in the past five years. Known for its meticulously curated performances, QFR not only delivers music but also shares behind-the-scenes stories about iconic songs, their composers, musicians, and traditional instruments, enriching the audience’s experience.
During the concert in the DMV region, the QFR ensemble presented an impressive setlist featuring timeless hits like Madhavi Pon Mayilal, Thee TheeThithikkum Thee, Aayiram Thamarai Mottukale, GermaniyinSenthenMalare, Rasathi Unna KanathaNenju, Madura MarikolunthuVaasam, PoonkadhaveyThaalThiravai, Poove Ilaiya Poove, Kannan VandhuPaaduginraan, AattamaTherottama, and En Kanmani Un Kadhali, among others. The evening was further enhanced by several medleys that added layers of musical richness to the performance.
A notable innovation during the concert was the QFR Live segment, in which Subhasree Thanikachalam’s team re-recorded the background score for an old movie clip with precise synchronization, blending the visual and auditory experience seamlessly. Another highlight showcased a cross-geographical live collaboration between musicians: a singer performing from Chennai and a guitarist playing from Mumbai joined forces with onstage musicians in Virginia to create a harmonious musical experience.
Following the event, Subhasree Thanikachalam, founder of QFR, described the concert as “fantastic.” She expressed her joy, stating, “I am very happy that the show was houseful on a Saturday evening that too on the Memorial Day weekend. And I’m so honored to be performing for such a prestigious organization. The audience really enjoyed throughout the concert and cheered us all along. It was so heartwarming. I will never forget this concert for a long time,” she told South Asian Herald.
Babu Vinayagam, founder of WTMDC and a key partner in promoting the concert in the DMV area, spoke to South Asian Herald about the synergy between the two organizations. He said, “WTMDC was pleased to organize the QFR event as their mission to give opportunity to the musicians worldwide aligns with ours.” Vinayagam praised QFR’s live music quality as “unparalleled” and was particularly excited to see the traditional Tamil instrument, Veena, featured during the performance. He added that the funds raised from the event will support ongoing efforts to build a comprehensive Tamil music content library for WTMDC members.
Kishore Singh, a core member of the organizing team, described the concert as a “success,” applauding Thanikachalam and her ensemble for their exceptional renditions of songs and medleys by the revered composers. Arthi Srinivasan, another important organizer, joined Vinayagam in presenting WTMDC’s mission and future plans to the audience.
Among the evening’s standout performers was Sai Vignesh, a Filmfare Award-winning vocalist known for his work on “Varaha Roopam” from the film Kantara. His contribution added significant depth to the concert’s musical showcase.
The QFR High 5 Tour’s debut concert not only celebrated the rich heritage of Tamil music but also reinforced the commitment to preserving and promoting this cultural treasure globally. Through innovative performances, cross-regional collaborations, and a strong community turnout, the event marked a memorable milestone for Tamil music enthusiasts and set a promising precedent for future shows under the QFR banner and WTMDC’s ongoing development initiatives.