Indian singer and composer A.R. Rahman was in Sydney on Saturday to perform at a free concert.

The event was part of a New South Wales Government initiative to ease frayed relations between India and Australia, after a spate of recent attacks on Indians living in Australia.

The Oscar winning performer encouraged tolerance.

[A.R. Rahman, Indian Singer]:

"I want all of you guys staying here to treat the children of India with love, and from Australia got unconditional support."

About 70,000 people enjoyed the occasion at Parramatta Park in Sydney's western suburbs.

The song best known for its appearance in the film Slumdog Millionaire, Jai Ho, meaning Victory to You, seemed to be the most appropriate song of the evening.

[Hardeep Kuat, Federation of Indian Students Association]:

"It is a very positive step in creating very good relationship between the Indian and Australian community."

Indian communities have celebrated in the run-up to India's Republic Day on January 26, but for some the memories of recent attacks are never far from mind.

[Aruna Chandrala, United Indian Association Spokesperson]:

"It is, again, you know a healing process we are all trying to achieve."

Two Indian taxi drivers were the latest victims of an attack in the Victorian town of Ballarat on Friday.

One 29-year-old driver was beaten and his car stolen by four men.

[Taxi Driver]:

"I picked some passengers and they started spitting on me. They started playing with the gauge system and something."

Two of the men ran away and the other two stole the taxi before abandoning it by the side of the road.

Another driver was threatened with a knife about one hour later.

Another man was jailed for abusing an Indian driver in Ballarat on Thursday.