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 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

A. R. Rahman breezes through city of joy

Music maestro A. R. Rahman has a surprise package for Kolkata. He announced the setting up of a second western classical music conservatory in the city. The first one is being set up in Chennai and will be inaugurated in June, he told the city media.

Rahman was all praise for Kolkata and its music and said that he had been inspired by folk music called Baul music in Bengal, when he was composing for the film Mangal Pandey. He has every intention of dabbling in Bengali music and will also keep an eye out for talent from the state. The musician was in the city of joy to shoot the finale of Airtel Bandwagon, a television reality show promoting music bands.

Courtesy: merinews.com

Rahman: In sync

Rahman’s is perhaps the most popular Indian music-composer with a fan following across borders.


What is it about his music that has struck a chord globally? "I don’t know. I think the almighty has been kind to me," he says in a matter of fact tone. But there must be something that inspires him to come up with unforgettable tunes. "I think music is about personality as it reflects an artist’s inner-self. Inspiration could come from anything, the team you are working with, pressure, the script, an idea etc. But the essence is derived from nature and the desire to give something that will be cherished," he adds.


What’s presently got him most excited is a new role that he is stepping into that of a teacher. "I am coming up with a music school, K Music Conservatory. All these years, I have been investing in machinery. So, at 41, I have realised it makes sense to invest in art which is why I decided to go ahead with the music school," he shares. Learning music from AR Rahman should be an extra ordinary experience. People must be queuing up already.

Been everywhere, done everything, we wonder where he sees himself heading from here. "Art is always about the search for the next level, and that is what has kept me going all this while," he signs off.

Courtesy: TimesofIndia.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

A.R. Rahman launches first Indian orchestra

After waiting for seven years, India’s most famous contemporary music composer A.R. Rahman Wednesday launched his first full-fledged orchestra. It has been named “Global Music” and is the first homegrown orchestra. “I kept hearing someone is setting up an orchestra and waited for seven long years for someone else to set up an orchestra like the New York, London or Budapest Philharmonic in India. But it did not happen”, Rahman, whose recent works include music for “Guru” and “Jodhaa Akbar”, told the media here.


“Whenever I want to compose for an orchestra, I have to go to London or Budapest,” he complained.

The music maestro announced setting up of the orchestra along with the launch of his KM Conservatory, a music school for professional musicians in the outskirts of the city.

The orchestra, to be fully operational in the next two years, will have both Indian as well as Western musicians. “It will play combinations of two kinds of instruments. There is so much talent in India, but we have no symphony orchestra,” Rahman told the media.

He also said the orchestra was expected to bring more professionalism even in film music and introduce millions of Indian music-lovers to “opera and concert as entertainment”.

The symphony orchestra will be in the western mode, both as a resident studio orchestra to perform his own composition for the music industry and for the people in Chennai and elsewhere in India.

This orchestra will be populated by professional musicians of international standard, both from India and abroad.

The KM Conservatory of Music, in collaboration with Audio Media Education, an Apple-authorized training centre, which opens in June this year, will concentrate on instrumental and vocal music, both Indian and Western, and music technology.

“In order to bring the music culture to India, where music can be taken as a serious professional option and flourish in the coming generations, training young professionals is essential,” Rahman said.

The accomplished composer, who is trying to create opportunities for Indian wannabes, has carved a niche for himself outside the Indian film industry.

He collaborated with international composer Andrew Lloyd Webber for “Bombay Dreams”. Then he teamed up with the Finnish folk music band Varttina and composed for “The Lord of the Rings” theatre production and also did a piece, “Raga’s Dance” for Vanessa Mae’s album “Choreography”.
Courtesy: ThaiIndian.com

A. R. Rahman launches a Conservatory and an Orchestra

It was one of the rare ‘Meet the Media’ events attended by a much sought after celebrity. The music wiz kid A. R. Rahman met the media persons this morning (March 12) to make a presentation about the foundation of his new KM Conservatory of music, an institution for the training of musicians for professional careers in the field.

The KM Conservatory of Music in collaboration with Audio Media Education, an Apple Authorized Training Centre, which opens in June of this year, 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).

The music wizard informed that, 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 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.

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.

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 artiste could 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.

Rahman’s KM Conservatory has also planned to provide scholarship aid to the needy students initially in the Foundation and Diploma Courses.

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.

The young genius 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.

Courtesy: Indiaglitz.com

The journey so far

Music virtuoso A R Rahman in conversation with Rajiv Vijayakar about his newly-launched Music Conservatory and projects in the pipeline.

In every composer’s life comes a stage when he wants to pay back the art and medium that has given him so much. A R Rahman began in 1992 with Roja’s original Tamil version, little realising that he would win the National award for his debut — a first in film music history before Ismail Darbar repeated the feat in Hindi films with Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.

The payback in Hindi films was even better — Roja changed trends in music the way only Barsaat (1949), Dosti (1964), Aradhana (1969) and Aashiqui (1990) had done before. Today, Rahman, who also went on a techno trip and dominated digital domain and earned the ire of purists, is shifting gears. The Fuhrer of modern fusion, who has composed music in seven languages, has launched a unique Music Conservatory as his return gift to the seven notes.


Excerpts from an interview:

The K M Music Conservatory was a long-standing dream, right?
Yes, but since I kept hearing of similar projects I was not going ahead. Finally, since nothing was happening, I began work on it. Initially, we are operating from near my studio in Chennai. But soon, we will shift to a proper campus just outside the city.

What exactly is a Music Conservatory?
It is a concept quite prevalent in the West and takes care of music as well as musicians. For example, there are certain instruments that do not yield lucrative returns or even decent livelihoods for their players.

Such people can therefore earn in other ways, such as web designing or learning music production even as they continue with their passion. This ensures that such players are available and the instrument does not get lost.
In music today, being abreast with technology and music production opens up many doors and today's musicians should know these. When I have worked abroad, I have found it easy to prepare and record music in a few days flat — and yet it sounds good. This is as much because of the orderliness and harmonic structure of their music as it is due to availability of all kinds of instruments.

But in India, one has to often find musicians from abroad for an orchestra. And unlike two or three decades ago it is very difficult to find players of oboes or French horns, to mention just two instruments.

The same fate has come on various Indian instruments as musicians are discouraged from learning them because they cannot earn enough. In the end it is music that is compromised.

But in the conservatory, a young musician can learn even a rare instrument and earn well too. Since I have extended this concept even to Indian classical and folk music, musicians can come here to learn different styles of music too, like kirtanas or thumri. A world-class orchestra is another goal.

What will the faculty and curricula be like?
The K M Music Conservatory and Audio Media Education will be India's first Apple-authorised training centre. We will have a faculty of professors and musicians from both India and abroad and plan to start the first batch in 2008, when we will audition vocalists as well as different instrumentalists.

We will have courses in Western and Indian Vocals, Instrumental Performance, Classical, Theory, Music Appreciation, Ear Training, Piano, Audio Engineering, an Apple- certified course in Logic Pro, and a Digidesign-certified course in Pro Tools. We will give away A R Rahman Foundation Scholarships for deserving students.

Will you be choosier now about film assignments now to give more time to this activity?
(Smiles) A bit, yes. But then I was never into doing ten films at a time.

In Guru, your Barso re and Tere bina proved more popular than the ‘item’ song Mayya mayya. Does that indicate a shift in trends?
By itself, it is a very good sign. It is a fact that electronic music does not satisfy in the long run and I have always loved acoustics.

You have always taken amateur singers even if they are not in immaculate sur. Others use pitch-correction software for such voices, but you do not. Why is that?
I do not think that it is necessary to have perfection every time. Too much polish can be boring! (Laughs) It’s like this new jacket I am wearing which has rough and faded edges. That can sometimes look more attractive!

But some songs demand trained voices. Why did you want Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to sing the raag-oriented Man Mohana in Jodhaa Akbar?
Well, Ashutosh Gowariker was very keen on it, but Aishwarya had no time to rehearse. And there are hidden talents in people!

In Mumbai, two filmmakers have always had foolproof collaborations with you — Subhash Ghai and Ashutosh Gowariker.

That is why I am choosy and do not want to repeat some films that were mistakes. These filmmakers push you and yet give you time because they want perfection. As a composer, I have really enjoyed working on all their films.

You are the first choice in Mumbai for period films since Lagaan. But you have been accused of being indifferent to the eras and regions in terms of orchestration and sound.

Period films, whether Jodhaa Akbar or Bose— The Forgotten Hero make you think differently. You cannot use a catchy groove and a certain authenticity is needed. But at the same time, there should be a contemporary appeal and quality, so I have to see how friendly my music can be while retaining the correct vibe. I try to avoid something that has too modern, but it’s not always possible or even necessary. The impact of the orchestration and background music is more important, like Naushad-saab’s background score in Mughal-E-Azam.

Which are your forthcoming films?
I am doing Subhash Ghai’s Yuvraaj, Aamir Khan’s Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na and his remake of Ghajini and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Dilli 6.

In Tamil films I am doing Shankar’s Robot and also Sultan— The Warrior. Then there is a Telugu film starring Pawan Kalyan.

Courtesy: Deccanherald.com

A.R. Rahman acquires land for his dream project

Music maestro A.R. Rahman is ready to build a music conservatory in Chennai for young talents who want to learn Western classical music. He has already acquired land for it.

"It's near the Chennai airport. And we plan to start work on it very soon," Rahman told IANS. He says starting a music conservatory is a dream he has nurtured for years.


"I feel young talented musicians in our country, specially those who want to learn Western classical music, have nowhere seriously creative to go. We need to cultivate a taste for Western symphonic music so that an average musically-inclined young musician would be as enthused about learning the violin as the star," said Rahman.

The land purchase puts Rahman's dream plan into third gear.

"We'll soon be working round-the-clock. I want it to be one of the best music schools in our country."

Speaking on his latest music soundtrack in Hindi, Rahman said: "I wouldn't even want to compare my output in 'Jodhaa Akbar' with what Ashutosh Gowariker and I did in 'Lagaan' or 'Swades'.

"Or, for that matter, what Rakeysh (Omprakash Mehra) and I did in 'Rang De Basanti' (RDB). We've done what we liked without thinking of the outcome. You've to go by your instincts in every form of art. I've never intentionally tried to break the mould. I've tried to do what's right."

Two of his old scores are also ready for release.

"Two years back Abbas Tyrewallah's 'Jaane Tu Jaane Na' and 'Adaa' by Tanvir Ahmed were recorded. These will come in the next two months."

And, of course, there's Subhash Ghai's magnum opus "Yuvraj". "It's got Western classical vibes, but the sound is very Indian, very mellow."

He says his music in Ghai's "Taal" helped him earn Punjabi fans.

"I think 'Taal' took me to the Hindi-belt masses. I ceased to be different. Before that I was seen as this oddity from Chennai. Of course, 'Rangeela' got its own glory. But 'Taal' is the one that created a hardcore Punjabi audience for me."

He also has Mehra's "Dilli 6" coming up. "It's turned out very well. Who can say how it will be accepted? Did anyone expect RDB to become so big? Even a small idea can change the world.

"When I came into Hindi cinema with 'Roja', the whole road was empty. A lot of people are still doing good work, but not consistently. Good work can be done even on YouTube on the net. So let's not blame the lack of opportunities for the inconsistent musical output.

"Some of the stuff is undoubtedly good. You can't just write everything off. But I feel the whole idea of pop art has to change.

"Malayalam director Adoor Gopalakrishnan says TV has corrupted popular tastes. I'd have to agree with that. I feel the film medium deserves much better. Even I get pulled into projects which are not right."

Ask Rahman whom he considers a path-breaker after himself and he quips: "Why do we need a path-breaker? One never intends to be a path-breaker. If it happened I'm fortunate.

"Right now we need more experimental melodies in film music. The problem is that the minute you start composing a soundtrack, you're thinking you'll do what sells in the charts. Your intention becomes diluted. It's more about marketing than creativity.

"Which songs should go on the shelf, which should go into the pubs - these questions should come after you create the music. And there's a diminishing respect for creative people. Stars get all the respect because they bring in the audience. But what about other creative people?"

But Rahman is hopeful. "It will all taper off. We'll have more talent coming in."

Courtesy: Nowrunning.com

BEYOND THE FRONTIERS

In the fifteen years that he has been around, he has turned trends on their heads and reset music parameters. This year, A.R.Rahman has achieved the rare distinctions of winning both the Best Music and Best Background Music trophies for Guru and also opening an unique Music Conservatory in Chennai. In an informal chat, the elusive composer talks of - what else? - his music

You launched the K.M.Conservatory on your 42nd birthday. What exactly is the concept behind this?
Conservatories are widely known in the West and the concept comes from the orderliness and harmonic structure of Western classical music. When I worked abroad, it struck me that I could prepare and record music in three days flat - and yet it sounded so beautiful.
Over here we are not so well organised., and it is extremely difficult to find certain instruments like oboes and French horns because there are no players. Most of today’s musicians are into electronics and the learning of instruments is neglected and music is compromised because they cannot sustain a livelihood with them.
But in the conservatory, a young musician can learn the violin or even a rare instrument and sustain himself by doing, say, its edit on the computer. So he learns - but earns well too. This is a common practice abroad where people do something else for a livelihood and also play music. There are musicians, for example, who are also web designers, so that they can afford a decent lifestyle.
I have extended this concept even to Indian classical and folk music. Musicians can come here to learn different styles of music like kirtanas and thumri.
A world-class orchestra is also our goal. Since electronics sounds came in and their new sound was liked for its freshness, live classical music and instruments began to lose appreciation, which was ominous. So many Indian composers have to go abroad to find orchestras for recording. KM Music Conservatory aims to eliminate this shortcoming. For a modern classical musician, having knowledge of both music performance and music technology is invaluable. Therefore, as I said earlier, excellent music production capabilities will ensure many more career opportunities and financial security.

Where is this Conservatory located?

The KM Music Conservatory and Audio Media Education will be India’s first Apple-authorised training centre. Right now, it is located in a small premises next to my studio but by the end of this year we will shift to a proper campus just outside Chennai. We plan to have a faculty of professors and musicians from both India and abroad and start the first batch in 2008, when we will audition vocalists as well as flute, oboe, clarinet, French horn, trumpet, trombone, violin, viola, cello, double bass, and percussion players.

What will be the curriculum like?
We will have courses including Western Vocal and Instrumental, 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. We will also have a professional KM Music Symphony Orchestra for those who complete the programmes, and the A.R.Rahman Foundation Scholarships for deserving students.

A Mumbai daily stated that you are curtailing assignments, especially in Hindi films, to give more attention to this new mission.
It was my dream to have such a conservatory for years but I held back each time as news floated about others planning similar things. Finally, since nothing was happening I decided to move ahead. And it’s not that I am cutting down on Hindi films. I have always been fairly choosy, I think, and I can’t do 10 films at a time here. But yes, I am trying to choose the cream even from among them.

This time you were in Mumbai a day before theScreen Awards. So why did you not stay back? As it happened, you annexed both the Best Music and Best Background Music trophies for Guru.
I know, I regret that I could not attend the Screen Awards show. The problem was that I was in a whirlwind at that particular point, so I was not even accessible as I hardly had time even to check emails and SMS-es! Besides the launch of the Conservatory, I flew down for the music launch of Jodhaa Akbar on the 9th, but I had to fly abroad as a studio had been booked for two days for some background music work on the film.

We just spoke about classical music. In Guru, Barso re proved the most popular song along with Tere bina. The ‘item’ song Mayya mayya came a third. Does that indicate a trend?
By itself, it is a very good sign, though Mayya mayya was also popular, besides being the first song that we recorded. It is a fact that ‘item’ songs or electronic music does not satisfy in the long run, unlike folk-based or raag-based songs. But Barso re was an afterthought. We had earlier recorded a song that was based on Gujarati folk that was to be shot with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on a bicycle - Main chali. But then she suffered an injury and we thought of a rain song instead and that’s how Barso re happened. Tere bina was a Sufi number and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khansaab has always been a great inspiration for me.

What kind of song comes easier for you?
Making any good song or tune is never easy! (Laughs)

Speaking of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, is it true that you wanted her to sing Man Mohana in Jodhaa Akbar?
Well, Ashutosh Gowariker was very keen on Aishwaryaji singing that song. But she had no time to rehearse.

But the song is very demanding musically. Could an actress doing a one-off rendition have done justice to it?
Well, there are hidden talents in people! Nicole Kidman successfully sang abroad.

Today, software for pitch-correction is available. On the other hand, you have always been known to use amateur singers and maintain their natural tones, even if they are not in immaculate sur. Why is that?
As a lover of world music, I have come to believe that it is not necessary to have perfection when someone has a passion for music. Too much polish can be boring sometimes! (Laughs) See this jacket that I am wearing. It’s a new jacket but there is a deliberate faded quality at the edges. That makes it more attractive!

You tend to do a lot of Hindi films with a period or historical backdrop - The Legend Of Bhagat Singh, Bose - The Forgotten Hero, Mangal Pandey - The Rising and even Lagaan and a part of Guru. How do you approach these films’ scores vis-à-vis a ‘normal’ contemporary assignment?
Such films make you think differently. For example, there is no catchy groove that you can use and a certain authenticity is needed. At the same time, there should be a contemporary appeal and quality, and I have to see how friendly my music can be while retaining the correct vibe. Today even kids are smart - they pick up the best and the most interesting of songs, old or new.

A common allegation is that you use instruments that were not present in those eras.
Well, I try to avoid something that has too modern a sound, like a guitar. I love acoustics anyway. But such aspects are not always possible or necessary. And no composer has been able to be a purist in this genre of cinema. The effect and quality of the orchestration and background music are more important.

Another long-standing accusation against you is that your music often is repetitious, and this has been a personal observation too.
(Smiles) Well, I guess that’s because everything I do comes from within me, so a certain style or stamp is unavoidable. But it also has a lot to do with the film too and my inspirational level.

Well, we see freshness in every film of yours with say, a Mani Ratnam or a Subhash Ghai or an Ashutosh Gowariker. But then you do films like Lakeer, Tehzeeb…
(Shrugs) Sometimes I have done certain films for specific reasons. But as I said I want to be even choosier than before.

Himesh Reshammiya hopes to sing for you sometime. You used Bappi Lahiri’s vocals in Guru. And now there is news that you will be singing for Kailasa - The Band in their first film project.
Well, that’s not going to happen, unfortunately. Kailash (Kher) did want me to sing, but I am not comfortable as yet with the idea of singing for someone else. I can’t really explain why, but I guess I am somehow not cut out for that.

Which are the films that you are doing now?
I am doing Aamir Khan’s Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na and his remake of Ghajini and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Dilli 6.Subhashji’s Yuvraaj will always release this year. In Tamil films I am doing Shankar’s Robot and also Sultan - The Warrior.Then there is a Telugu film starring Pawan Kalyan. Some more projects are coming up.

Courtesy: ScreenIndia.com

Rahman’s dream‘land'

The composer has acquired property near Chennai airport for a music conservatory.

A R Rahman has already bought land to build the state-of-the-art music conservatory that he first talked about on his birthday, “It’s near the airport in Chennai. And we plan to start work on it very soon.” Now that the land is in place, preparations are underway to ensure that all functioning starts off in the next academic year.

Dreaming big

Rahman says starting a music conservatory is a dream he has nurtured for years. “I feel young talented musicians in our country specially those who want to learn western classical music, have nowhere seriously creative to go.

We need to cultivate a taste for western symphonic music so that an average musically-inclined young musician would be as enthused about learning the violin as the sitar.”

The land purchase puts Rahman’s dream plan into third gear. “We’ll soon be working round-the-clock. I want it to be one of the best music schools in our country.”

Instinctive

Meanwhile, Rahman tells us that he doesn’t want to compare his latest score for Jodhaa Akbar songs with Lagaan or Swades, “I don’t even want to compare it to Rang De Basanti. We’ve done what we liked without thinking of the outcome. You’ve to go by your instincts in every form of art.”

Two of his old scores are also ready for release. “Two years back, Abbas Tyrewala’s Jaane Tu Jaane Na and Adaa by Tanvir Ahmed were recorded. These will come in the next two months.”

And there’s Subhash Ghai’s Yuvraj. “It’s got western-classical vibes. But the sound is Indian, very mellow.

Rakeysh Mehra’s Dilli 6 is also coming up. “It’s turned out well. Who can if it will be accepted? Did anyone expect RDB to become so big?”

Hopeful

Rahman has a lot of hope from popular Hindi music. “A lot of people are still doing good work, but not consistently. Let’s not blame the lack of opportunities for the inconsistency. Malayalam director Adoor Gopalakrishnan says television has corrupted popular tastes… I agree. Even I get pulled into projects that are not right.”

Ask Rahman whom he considers a path breaker and he quips, “Why do we need a pathbreaker? Right now we need experimental melodies but neither do the films demand it, nor do the audiences.”

The composer continues, “When you start composing a soundtrack you’re thinking of what will sell and your intention gets diluted. It becomes more about marketing than creativity. The market should be assessed after the creative process. But there is hope yet.”

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