A.R. Rahman, the globally celebrated Indian composer, has traversed diverse musical landscapes, and one of his most ambitious projects involved bringing J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth to life. Rahman was one of the composers for the stage musical adaptation of The Lord of the Rings.

The musical The Lord of the Rings, is a stage production with music by A. R. Rahman, Värttinä, and Christopher Nightingale, with lyrics and book by Shaun McKenna and Matthew Warchus. The musical tells the story of a hobbit who has to destroy an evil ring.

Rahman's involvement in The Lord of the Rings musical was unexpected. He received a call for the project and realized that he had previously worked with Christopher Nightingale, the music supervisor, on Bombay Dreams, who then recommended him. Although initially hesitant due to time constraints, Rahman ultimately embraced the opportunity.

According to a 2003 report, the producers of The Lord of the Rings musical chose Rahman after an extensive search for the right composer. Kevin Wallace, the main producer, emphasized the need for unique music to recreate Middle-earth, stating that Rahman's brilliant melodies and exotic quality would resonate with audiences. Wallace also noted that the fusion of Rahman and Värttinä's talents, rooted in their respective traditions, would provide Tolkien's mythological world with a unique and dynamic score.

Rahman collaborated with the Finnish folk group Värttinä and Christopher Nightingale to create the music for the musical. The goal was to avoid replicating the movie soundtracks and create something entirely different. Rahman, Värttinä, and Nightingale worked both separately and together to interweave their melodies.

Rahman aimed to create a sound that was Indian but not overtly so. The play revolves around the story and characters, so the music was designed to complement the narrative without overshadowing it. The "Ring theme" was based on a cyclic tune, which was also used in the final battle scene.

The musical was first performed in Toronto, Canada, in 2006. It later opened in London's West End in June 2007 and ran until July 2008. A revival of the musical occurred in 2023 at the Watermill Theatre in Berkshire, winning the Best Regional Production award at the TheWhatsOnStage Awards 2024.

According to reports from July 2025, The Lord of the Rings musical is scheduled to open in Singapore in August. Additionally, the musical will be playing in Melbourne, Australia.