FEEL THE GLOBAL BEAT: The original-song medley - a departure from the individual performances of years past
- will have a vibrant world-music theme driven by nominee "Slumdog Millionaire," said DJ Ravi Drums, the leader of the Indian drum line for the number.
"It's going to be tremendously exciting. The energy is through the roof and the choreography is awesome," Drums said Friday.
Drums, one of four musicians playing Indian dohl drums, said he's been rehearsing with African, Japanese and Chinese percussionists. The number is a "giant extravaganza" with a full orchestra and choir and choreography by Fatima Robinson, he said.
The song nominees are "O ... Saya" and "Jai Ho" from "Slumdog Millionaire," the rags-to-riches story set in Mumbai, India; and "Down to Earth" from the animated film "WALL-E."
Drums, a first-generation Indian-American, does studio and event work - he played at the 2008 Super Bowl pregame show with Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson
- and is music director for NBC's series "Howie Do It" with Howie Mandel.
This is a culturally exciting time for people of Indian or South Asian origin, Drums said, citing the work of Indian composer A.R. Rahman, nominated for co-writing the two songs from "Slumdog Millionaire," and other artists including MIA, the rapper with Sri Lankan roots.
Then there's "Slumdog Millionaire," which has 10 bids including a best picture nod and is expected to dominate the Oscar ceremony.
"I'm totally rooting for it," Drums said.
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NAKED OSCARS: Oscar host Hugh Jackman plans to reveal more than most at Sunday's awards ceremony.
"I haven't told anyone this, but we are going to do most of it naked and we're going to sing through the whole show," the affable actor joked during an interview backstage at the Kodak Theatre. "In fact, all the acceptance speeches are going to be sung. There will be some interpretive dance behind them, and I really think it will be beautiful and touching."
But don't expect People magazine's "sexiest man alive" to show everything.
"There will be a strategic leaf placed here or there," he said. "We don't want to be distasteful or anything. This is a raw night. This is the Oscars. Raw emotion, that's the quality we're going for."
The 40-year-old entertainer has hosted the Tony Awards three times, but this is his first time in the Oscar spotlight.
"If I hadn't done the Tonys, I think I'd be a lot more nervous than I am," he said.
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FATHERLY ADVICE: Veteran actor James Cromwell says he warned Josh Brolin not to be nervous at Sunday's Oscars ceremony.
