Rahman ki Paathshala
AR Rahman has set up a state-of-the-art music conservatory at Chennai
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Posted On Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Sandipan Dalal
A R Rahman
It's only natural for the most sought after music director in the
country to work on his birthday. A R Rahman, who turned 42 on January
6, however, didn't hit the studios to compose music. Instead he opened
the doors of his Apple authorised music conservatory at his home city,
Chennai. The reclusive music maestro has been closely working on his
training centre, KM Music Conservatory, which offers training
programmes in music and music technology.
"I
have finally, opened my music conservatory. In the coming months we
will have students and singers training in performances and
production," says Rahman.
The schoolhouse will audition budding
musicians and students who can play various instruments including
flute, French horn, trumpet, violin and percussion. The handpicked
candidates will then enrol for the course that promises to cover
Western vocal and instrumental performance, Indian Classical vocal,
Western and Indian music theory, music appreciation and ear training.
As far as music technology goes, Rahman intends to train his students
in audio engineering. Apple certified course in Logic Pro and
Digidesign certificate course in Pro Tools will also be a part of the
module, says the music director.
So, what prompted Rahman to
establish a music training school? "Having the knowledge of both music
performances and music technology is invaluable. The skill to perform
an instrument combined with production capabilities will ensure many
more career opportunities," he says.
Amidst his work for the
conservatory, he was busy meeting friends who had turned up to wish the
reclusive music director, and of course, answering phone calls from the
industrywallahs. He says, "Ashutosh Gowarikar and Shankar had called to
wish me." Ask him about the gifts that he received on his birthday and
the shy music director says, "I have received quite a few bouquets and
good wishes from other Mumbai-based directors and lyricists."
Rahman
is presently accumulating musicians for an orchestra in the country.
The pass outs from his music conservatory will get to audition for the
KM Music Symphony Orchestra. "Indian composers usually travel abroad to
record with orchestras. My vision is to provide an orchestra in India," adds
Rahman.
The skill to perform an instrument combined with production capabilities will
ensure many more career opportunities - A R Rahman
