A R Rahman The Legend

Mozart of Asia - A.R.Rahman

‘Mozart of Asia,’ musician Allah Rakha Rahman has done everything from classical to reggae and now with Shekar Kapur’s ‘Elizabeth: the Golden Age’ awaiting release, where he pairs up with Hollywood actor Craig Armstrong, he is very excited. “It has been really a wonderful experience working with Craig. We traveled a lot in places like Glasgow…Remotely working with the guys in London,” says Rahman who was in the capital recently.

The singer-composer has his hands full with a lot of films, the latest being Ashutosh Gowarikers ‘Jodha Akbar’ starring Hrithik Roshan and Ashwariya Rai Bachchan. Jodha Akbar is a romantic story about a king falling in love with a princess and ARR has tried to keep the music contemporary so that it satisfies both critics and the music lovers. The music of the film is very much what is required for the film. It has celebration songs and quawallis.. Rahman, who composed the music of Subhash Ghei’s ‘Kisna’ is once again paring up with the director in his latest flick, ‘Yuvraaj’ which is a very challenging project. Practically A.R.R had a tough time composing the first two songs but now as those have been cracked he will be able to wrap it up quickly.

Rahman's instant success is owed to his clever usage of Western instruments to invoke Indian sounds while his peers tried to invoke Western sounds through Indian instruments. His interest in the works of Classical and Romantic period composers, Carnatic composers, early film composers and predecessors K. V. Mahadevan and Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy of the film industry of Tamil Nadu and others continued through his late teens. He further explored and trained in Carnatic music, Western classical, Hindustani music and the Qawwali style of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, in addition to numerous other styles. His interest and outlook in music is said to stem from his love of experimentation. As a result, his scores have alternated from songs and themes composed covering a variety of genres, with unconventionally-grouped instruments, and different vocal styles being used and combined together in some of his film soundtracks, to more traditional orchestral themes with leitmotif techniques composed in others. Rahman's works often feature a mix of minimalist songs and evocative, thematic pieces, building on his differing chord progressions and rhythms. He has scored with new and varied melodic and percussive sounds from outlandish instruments of different music systems

He is referred to as the ‘Beethoven of the East’. And why not, he brought in Technology-based music to India and now, the great musician plans to start an authentic Indian orchestra. Rahman has put forward his first step and has established the KM Music Conservatory, which will act as a bridge between music, technology and culture. KM Music Conservatory establishment is not projected to cater to the needs of the film industry, though this may be its first objective. The music school is also expected to add a new element to popular Indian music. A.R.Rahman wants this music to acquire a global dimension with the help of a host of world-renowned mentors he has lined up to teach his school with a difference.

KM Music Conservatory is named after Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti in Ajmeer. Also a devotee of the Sufi saint of Nagore, Kandoori Meeran Baba, Rahman is hoping to weave a magic of mysticism and music not only for his Indian following but also for his worldwide fans. Ghulam Mustafa Khan and his sons will “mentor” the department of Hindustani music and Srinivas Krishnan of the Global Rhythms Ensemble will be associated with the institution, which already has 150 enrolments. The vision of KM Music Conservatory is to eliminate every obstacle and provide an exemplary orchestra here in India.

Music Maestro and of course, Mozart of Asia officially launched his Music School “K M Music Conservatory” today morning. He had earlier announced his idea of commencing his new venture during the occasion of his 42nd Birthday. Today morning, he had hosted a press conference held at Sri Mutha Venkata Subha Rao Concert Hall, Sherstone Park in Harrington Road, Chetpet at Chennai.

Speaking on the occasion, A R Rahman addressed the gathering that as a first step, they would be kick-starting with an institution in Chennai and later in outskirts of Chennai in a silent ambience. When asked on how long would it take for the mentors to nurture each musician with perfect professionalism? He came up with a pleasing reply that it all depends upon the talent and passion that each student has. Meanwhile one of Rahman’s companions interrupted with a best illustration saying that when there is a strong wind getting in contact with a powerful flame, the fire keeps going on and on. Well, only if the wind is strong and fire is so weak, then it will stop burning within fraction of seconds.

So we wish a very best for the successful venture of our maestro…


Music director’s Music school

Music director and distinguished musician Bharadwaj, launched Bharadwaj School of Music in Chennai. This was the musical school which recognizes the importance of light music, and the school offers one year Diploma in applied music recognized by Tamil Nadu Open University.

The one year Diploma course covers various aspects of Vocal Music, and the candidate will also get trained with latest multi-media kit. According to the students convenient apart from Chennai, the school likely to conduct class at seven different locations in Tamil Nadu, the places are Coimbatore, Erode, Salem, Tiruchy, Thanjavur, Thirunelveli and Madurai.