Rahman's new doctorate

AR Rahman was conferred with an honorary doctorate by the Middlesex University in London on July 8th. Rahman, the founder principal of the KM Music Conservatory in Chennai was honored at a function that was held in Middlesex University. The Midddlesex University and KM Music Conservatory will jointly work on developing the syllabus for Bachelor of Arts Honours Programmed for Music Composition and Music Performance. The joint venture is exploring the possibilty of offering the program to students who will take up the course in KM Music Conservatory during the first two years and the final year in Middlesex University.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Rahman conferred with Middlesex degree

A R Rahman is on the receiving end. After the honorary doctorate offered by the Anna University, Chennai for his achievements in the field of music, now it is the turn of Middlesex University, London.The Mozart of Madras has been identified for an honorary degree by the reputed Middlesex University, London. The degree is likely to be conferred on the maestro on the day of the Graduation Ceremony to be held at Middlesex University in London in the month of July this year. Mr. Joe Victor, Regional Director of Middlesex University met Mr. A.R Rahman and Mr. T Selvakumar Co-founder & CEO of KM Music Conservatory in Chennai, regarding this issue. KM Music Conservatory & Audio Media Education was launched in the month of July last year. Their main goal is to train Indian students in Western music performance, Composition and Music Technology so that they can compete in the international arena. They are also working towards forming their own symphony orchestra consisting of its own musicians. Talks are on with the Regional Director South Asia of Middlesex University, London, for academic recognition for the Bachelor of Arts Honors Program for Music Composition and Music Performance. This will be a three year program the first two years of which will be at Chennai at the KM Conservatory and the final year in London. The course is likely to start from January 2010. The eligibility criteria to avail this degree would be a pass in twelfth standard and one year training in KM Music Conservatory Foundation Program.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Rehman to compose for Ponnar Shankar

AR Rehman, the present numero uno in Indian Film Music, is going to compose for Kalaignar Karunanidhi's new project Ponnar Sankar, a historical film that was announced recently. Based on the famous historical novel written by the Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in the same title, this Prashanth starrer film is produced and directed by his father Thyagarajan.

A week ago Thiyagarajan told that he would be roped in with the country's best technicians to make the film as an unforgettable historical movie in Indian Cinema.


It may be recalled that a couple of days ago AR Rahman called on the CM and spent some 40 plus minutes and discussed various things including his dream project KM Music Conservatory which is going to be launched soon in the suburban of the City.



It is said that during this discussion the CM asked Rahman to compose for his dream project Ponnar Sankar. Some reliable sources confirmed that the composer also accepted the offer with a pleasing smile and confirmed his role as the Music Director for Ponnar Sankar.

Courtesy: oneindia.in

A noble man called Rahman

Noted music composer A R Rahman, has ambitious plans up his sleeve.

In spite of his busy schedule, he has started the K M School of Music to promote and propagate Indian and Western music. He has now gone a step ahead and is aspiring to help aged musicians who are suffering due to various reasons.

'It has been my dream for a very long time to help musicians, especially aged ones who are now unable to perform,' said Rahman in a recent interview.

However, the 'Mozart of Madras' feels that he cannot run the show effectively all alone. 'I need some others too to work for this noble cause. If anyone comes forward, I will join them.'

Rahman is flying high currently for he would be composing music for the movies starring two big stars of Indian cinema - Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth. This soft-spoken music composer par excellence is scoring music for ‘Marmayogi’ and ‘Robot’ simultaneously.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Rahman took three years to complete The Lord of The Rings

It took music maestro AR Rahman three years to finish the album for the stage adaptation of The Lord Of The Rings, working with 200 musicians and technicians for every song. The album, which has pushed up his international status, was released in February.

"Since it required more finances than I could afford, a private airline (Jet Airways) is sponsoring it," Rahman, who has recently opened a western classical music conservatory in Chennai, told IANS.


"Every song has a minimum of 200 musicians and technicians involved in it. Huge choirs and orchestras were brought into play. We recorded the album in London and mixed it right here in Chennai in my studios. The whole crew came down from all over the world," he added.

All songs are in English and in Elvish... the language of the Lord Of The Rings.

"I had lots of help from fellow-musicians like Christopher Nightingale. It took me three years to do the album. Without help from like-minded musicians it'd have taken five years."

With Rahman increasing his Western assignments, it looks like to be Bollywood's loss. Rahman is deliberately turning down big Bollywood assignments because of copyright and royalty issues regarding music sales.

Rahman is reluctant to talk about the issue. "It's too complicated. But yes, the issue of publishing rights does stop me from accepting more Bollywood offers," said Rahman.

"Those who want to work with me in Mumbai are agreeable to my terms and conditions. Those who do but won't agree to my conditions are going to other composers."

"At the moment, I've also cut down my film assignments because I want to focus on my western-classic music conservatory. With this conservatory I hope to bridge the gap between Western classical and Indian ragas. Imagine a thumri being played by an orchestra! Or a Carnatic raga being a part of a big Hollywood epic!" he added.

Commenting on his Bollywood assignments, Rahman said: "I can't be doing just films all my life. I need to take my music to another level now. But whenever I work in Mumbai, I give it my fullest concentration, as I did for Ashutosh Gowariker's Jodhaa Akbar, which I'm very proud of. The music takes both Ashutosh and me to another level."

Looking back, the talented composer is not the least content with his achievements.

"No matter how much you do, it's never enough. Music is my only therapy. There're so many awful things happening in the world. I wish I could heal the world. All I can do is use my music, which I do. My peace anthems like Vande Mataram and Pray for me, brother are a small candlelight in the storm. But you never know which candle will light a thousand other candles."


Courtesy: hindustantimes.com

Rahman's school an insider's view video

Courtesy: Behindwoods.com

Rehman's music institute starts with 150 students

AR Rehman, the musical genius of India has announced that his dream music institute KM Music Conservatory will be started from June this year with 150 selected students. The Maestro met the media representatives yesterday and spent nearly 3 hours to brief his plans and ideas on the project, which was described as one of the rare meets of the musician.

The KM Conservatory of Music in collaboration with Audio Media Education, an Apple Authorized Training Centre, will concentrate on instrumental and vocal music (both Indian and western), and music technology. Courses will first be offered in Music Technology, voice, strings and keyboards (piano and electronic keyboards).

As informed by Rehman, other instruments and aspects of the art of music and sound design would be added to the curriculum depending on the demand and interest.

“The main idea behind this novel attempt is to develop the knowledge of music technology, which is a must in today's musical world. Students, who complete the Music Technology Course will be equipped to handle advanced studio equipment, with long term professional prospects" Rahman said.

Facilities Offered:

The courses are at present divided into Preparatory, Foundation and Diploma. It is learnt that there will be a place for any student with musical interest, from the earliest level to higher level, to learn and to perfect their skills. Boarding and lodging also will be provided for the needy pupil.

The AR Rehman Foundation, the main sponsor of the KM Conservatory has also planned to provide scholarship aid to the needy students initially in the Foundation and Diploma Courses.

Students, who are dedicated to the art of performance will be trained up to professional standards over a period of years by teachers, both from India and from other parts of the world in a widening number of instruments as the conservatory develops and grows.

The Conservatory would also make the musicians develop professional approach to enhance musical proficiency, without which no artist can survive in today's world. The courses and training aim to serve as a place of training up to the highest level, where one could widen his or her musical and technological awareness, literacy and standards.

Discussions are under way with the University of Madras to consider the possibility for the KM Conservatory eventually to gain status as a Deemed University offering Bachelor Degrees in Music and Music Technology.

The Conservatory would operate from a place adjacent to his studio in Kodambakkam in its first year. In the next year, in a suburb of Chennai, a leafy three acre campus will be made ready for the building of class rooms, a concert hall, recording studio and residential facilities for faculty and students from out of station.

AR Rehman, the Founder and Principal of the conservatory (as announced by himself) is also founding a symphony orchestra in the western mode, to serve as a resident studio orchestra to perform music of his own composition for the music industry and to perform for the general public in Chennai and elsewhere in India as occasions arise. This orchestra is to be populated by salaried professional musicians at an international standard, both from India and abroad. Some of these players will also teach at the Conservatory.

Answering to a question about the fee structure in the institute the musician told that that would be 'normal Indian fee structure'.

Rehman requests all to visit his website www.arrahman.com for further information and announcements about the KM Conservatory and Orchestra.

Courtesy: OneIndia.in

Now, you can learn music from A R Rahman

Thanks to the Almighty for making music the universal language!

Nobody except a highly spiritual musician like A R Rahman can start his new venture on this note.

Only a man like him can dedicate his dream venture to one of the most famous Sufi saints in Chishty order, and the founder of Sufism in India: Khawaja Moinuddin Chishty.

Yes, Rahman has named the first music conservatory in India as K M Music Conservatory. The school was official launched on March 12 in the midst of highly acclaimed musicians from all over the world.

"The two letters are spiritually close to me, and brought me good luck," he confessed.

Music has given Rahman everything and he says the Music Conservatory is his way of giving something back to music. "The more you give, the more you get."

"There are 1.4 billion people in India and thousands of musicians but there is no symphony orchestra with our very own musicians while even smaller countries have their own orchestra. So, the reason to start the KM Conservatory is simple. Most of the young aspiring musicians want to learn more of electronic stuff. Acoustic instruments are of no interest to them. We want to start a course where students learn acoustic instruments as well as electronic instruments. It is important to raise awareness about different kinds of music," he continues.

It was this desire to have an orchestra in India that mainly prompted him to pump a lot of his money into a dream project like this.

"We are chipping in all that we have. We have not counted yet. It's the project that is more important."

Padmabhushan Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, one of India's leading Hindustani classical musicians, and his son Mustafa Khan, will be teaching Hindustani classical music to the students at the Conservatory.

Congratulating Rahman on his effort, Khan said, "I congratulate Rahman for starting a music school of international standards in India. We are always with him."

Padmabhushan Dr L Subramaniam who is in the advisory board said, "This music school is one of the best things that can happen in India. It is a great venture. When we grew up, we didn't have this kind of an opportunity. Here, musicians from different parts of the world will come and take classes for the students. The approach to music is holistic."

Dr Randy Giles, who will advise on the academic curriculum said, "This is a very new idea in India. Indian musicians will benefit a lot from the school. The future of the school is one in which music is seen as a discipline just as any other, with the potential to be a professional career."

The others in the advisory panel, who were present with Rahman at the launch included the Founder of Global Rhythms ensemble Prof Srinivas Krishnan, pianist composer Pushkar, voice trainer and composer Wendy Par, and violinist Ladislav.

Rahman says he welcomes all those musicians who want to teach at the Conservatory.

The KM Conservatory, in collaboration with Audio Media Education, an Apple authorised training centre, will concentrate on both Indian and western instrumental and vocal music technology.

Initially courses will be offered in music technology, voice, strings and keyboards. These are divided into Preparatory, Foundation and Diploma courses. The Preparatory course is open to any student from any age group with interest in music while the Foundation and Diploma courses are more advanced. In fact, the Diploma course is a two year program.

There are also plans to make the KM Conservatory into a Deemed University with a Bachelor's Degree course in music.

In addition to providing scholarships to students from the A R Rahman Foundation, Rahman's role is that of a Founder-Principal overseeing the curriculum. In two year's time, he hopes to have a huge sprawling campus away from the hustle and bustle of city where only music notes are heard.

Rahman's advice to all aspiring musicians, "Be passionate about music, true to yourself and give 101 per cent to music."

Courtesy: Rediff.com

Forerunner to a world university?

'If music be the food of love, play on', said the bard.. . The music wizard of India A R Rahman has decided to play on. This music Director and Composer is taking a new role, that of a Founder and Principal of a Music Conservatory, KM. He declines to clarify as to what these two alphabets stood for. He simply says this close to his heart. For him music is the passion flowing endlessly from his heart.

India has been, from time immemorial, the nurturing home of music. However, we are inward looking. The time has now come for us to open up. Already, Musicians like Dr L Subramaniam have been deeply involved in fusion music – an amalgam of Indian and Western music. A new form of music is already evolving in the world arena.

It is a pity that we don't have a symphony orchestra at home. Rehmans and Ilayarajas are compelled to go abroad to create orchestras of high quality. When the world is shrinking and music is becoming more and more universal – universal in its appeal across cultures, in its language, in melody, in harmony, in rhythm, we have to boost the level of musical proficiency which the emerging wider culture demands.

Let's hope that A R Rahman's KM Music conservatory will substantially contribute to this end and who knows it might be a percusser toa World University. Let's wait to listen to that new melody. After all, Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter.

Courtesy: chennaionline.com

Rahman plans Broadway-style musical in India

Music composer AR Rahman, making a self-confessed "U-turn" after his success with the Lord of the Rings musical on London's West End, is now planning to bring a mega Broadway-style musical to India.

"Yes, it will be very soon," Rahman said at the Jet Airways-sponsored gala launch of the Lord of the Rings compact disc in London on Monday.

Rahman said his plan is to create an original musical play - of the kind seen in London and New York - to be put up on an Indian stage, most probably in Haryana, near Delhi.

The staging will hinge on plans by Indian events management and entertainment company Wizcraft to develop an entire town near Delhi, patterned after Las Vegas, Rahman told IANS in an interview.

"There will be a big theatre, that's all good news. It's good to see people opening up," he said.

Although Rahman is keeping his plans tightly wrapped, it is aimed at linking Indian tourism with a modern musical stage, just as London's West End attracts millions of international tourists.

"A lot of things are too early to say, let's hope for the best."

Whether the original musical will be on the scale of London's musicals remains to be seen - Rahman himself prefers something on the scale of "Lion King", based on a popular Disney film.

Lord of the Rings, the most expensive West End production, is an eye-popping spectacular that cost £12 million (about Rs.950 million) to put up. On any given night there are 226 people - from computer programmers to actors - involved in the show, which brings British author J.R.R Tolkien's fantasy epic to life.

But Rahman, who has breathed life into the cult classic with his music, said he has made a "u-turn" after his stint with West End and Hollywood - he scored the music for Elizabeth: the Gold Age - and is now looking at India.

"I've been given great respect in India. It's time for me to give back," he said in the interview.

His biggest projects at the moment are his music production company KM Music and a music school that he launched in Chennai on his birthday, January 6.

Looking at India again, he said, has had "a liberating effect" on him.

With American and British musician-friends ready to fly to India to help with his project, Rahman said his school is designed to teach "the minutiae" of music to young Indians, adding: "That's what every kid wants to do - learn music the right away.

"Some of this stuff is beyond money - it's about changing people's perspective on things. This can only be done if you have a musical vision. It might not give instant gratification, but in the long run it's going to help shape up a lot of things."

The launch of the CD on Monday night was a gala affair led by Raja Segran, Jet Airways regional vice-president for Britain, Europe and Americas.

Drawing a parallel between the "Jet experience" and the show, Segran said both were known for their "quality, innovation and the fact they take people on a magical experience".

Courtesy: Hindustantimes.com

A. R. Rahman launches his dream-project

Music Maestro A.R. Rahman brought in his birthday last Sunday (January 6). While other stars prefer to either throw a bash or celebrate with friends on their special day the normally shy music-director had other plans.

He fulfilled one of his long term dreams to launch a music conservatory on Sunday. The institution named KM Music Conservatory will be India’s first Apple authorized training centre where professors and musicians from India and abroad will provide training and education to students in Indian and Western classical music.

The institute located in Chennai, will also help in fine-tuning the skills of students who play instruments like flute, trumpet, violin, French horn and percussion. Needless to say there will be more career options open for these young talented kids once they combine their musical skill with the latest knowledge in production technology.

Through this institute, Rahman would also fulfill his vision of having a full-fledged orchestra in India so that Indian composers don’t have to go abroad when they have to record with orchestras.

Must say this initiative by Rahman is indeed one unique way of giving back something to the world of music.

Courtesy: Indiafm.com

‘Music Conservatory’: A.R.Rahman’s Birthday Gift

The musical saga A.R.Rahman who celebrated lastday his 42 years of old ,announced the initiation of an establishment naming ‘Conservatory’ for rendering music training to the young vibrant

The musical saga A.R.Rahman who celebrated lastday his 42 years of old ,announced the initiation of an establishment naming ‘Conservatory’ for rendering music training to the young vibrant new comers of the field.

Since long time such a seed of thought was in his mind and now he says, “Many have the opinion for having such a training center to benfit the new comers of music world and I purposes to set in soon such an establishment.”

He come forth with his institution’s name as ‘K.M.Music Conservator and Audio-Video Education’

The establishment will institutionalise along with the Rahman’s studio at Kodampakkam. Later on it will be shifted to any campus premises near by Chennai. From this May onwards it will functionalise, he also added. The institution will provide training for Indian and Western music related arenas. Rahman says, ‘ Many eminents abroad would co-operate in training programmes’ and he adds those who completes the course successfully would be given chances by K.M.Music symphony orchestra.


Courtesy: Keralaonline.com

Learn music from A.R.Rahman's school

His fans across the world popularly refer him to as the ‘Mozart of Madras’. This musical genius called A R Rahman celebrated his birthday yesterday, January 6th. Rahman has always wanted the music industry to be more organized, which for a long time remained largely unorganized.

He, of late, insists on retaining the rights for the music he composes for his films, which he says has not been the norm all these years. This, according to the music director, is the reason most yesteryear composers are on the fringes of penury in spite of their music still garnering revenue. Rahman has on his birthday announced another initiative worthy of applause and this time it is about nurturing local talent. In his communiqué to Behindwoods he announced that his label KM music has started the KM Music Conservatory and Audio Media Education, India's First Apple authorized training center. Located in Chennai, the center will offer a Program in Music and Music Technology. He says electronic sounds have in the last two decades played an instrumental role in revolutionizing music so much so that listeners have lost interest in live classical compositions. This, he believes, will deprive future generations from appreciating the joy of live classical music and KM Music Conservatory will play a significant role in rekindling interest in live classical music. As of now, Indian music composers have to travel abroad in search of orchestras; it is this hassle that KM Music Conservatory intends to eliminate. The conservatory faculties include both Indian as well as International professors and musicians who will educate students in Indian and Western Classical music. The school will be auditioning and accepting singers and students who play flute, oboe, clarinet, French horn, trumpet, trombone, violin, viola, cello, double bass, and percussion. Courses will include Western Vocal and Instrumental Performance, Indian Classical Vocal, Western and Indian Music Theory, Music Appreciation, Ear Training, Piano, Audio Engineering, an Apple certified course in Logic Pro, and a Digidesign certified course in Pro Tools. Scholarships will be offered to deserving students from the A.R. Rahman Foundation. Students also have the opportunity to audition for the professional KM Music Symphony Orchestra upon completion of the program. For more details visit http://www.arrahman.com and http://www.audiomedia.in.

Courtesy: Behindwoods.com