A.R. Rahman's music school launched in Chennai

Music maestro A.R. Rahman’s "KM Music Conservatory" was formally launched in Chennai on March 12 in the presence of renowned musicians from across the country and abroad.The school is temporarily located in Rahman’s studio in the City. It will shift to a three to five-acre campus on a quiet environment. The campus will have class rooms, a concert hall, a recording studio and residential accommodation for the faculty and students. The project is expected to be completed in two years.The school would offer three important courses: a part-time two-times-a-week preparatory programme for anyone with no age limit; a foundation course for beginners and a two-year diploma course for advanced study after the foundation course.The first batch will start in June 2008 with 150 students. ( About 200 applications have already been received). All admissions are through auditions. The fee structure is being finalized. Indian students will be charged a concessional fee. A 50 percent scholarship from Rahman’s Foundation will be offered to students considering their talent and economic background. T. Selvakumar is the managing director of KM Music Conservatory. Besides Rahman, others present on the occasion included Ms.Vendy Paar (violin trainer), Pushkar (composer-cum-conductor), and violin maestro Dr. L. Subramaniam (hon. adviser), Gulam Mustafa Khan (Hindustani vocalist), Randel Giles (composer from US), Lendis Lav (violinist from Czechoslovakia), Srinivas Krishnan (professor) and Murtaza Khan.Rahman’s objective is to create an authentic Indian orchestra or symphony that not only sounds distinctly Indian but also blends various aspects of Indian culture and bhakti, which "is at the heart of orchestral symphony".Rahman said the KM Music Conservatory is the first step and that it would serve as a bridge between music, technology and culture. "We want our Hindustani and Carnatic musicians to be able to read Western notations and adapt to playing with other musicians." Explaining why the school is called "KM Conservatory", Rahman said these initials are spiritually close to him and have brought him good luck. A project like this is a necessity for a country of 1.4 billion people who do not have their own national symphony orchestra when even small countries have their national orchestra, according to him. He observed that orchestral sound is probably the future of film music.Asked if this project would not affect his career in the film industry, Rahman said, "Not at all. I am doing just two films a year, so I guess I should have all the time." Dr. L. Subramaniam said, "It is a courageous and brilliant start. It’s going to give a lot of opportunities to groom our own talent and give them adequate exposure to other cultures through a holistic approach to music."

ISAIGNANI...........the gr8

Ilayaraja, the musical genius and the only Indian music director to work with London Philharmonic Orchestra, is one of the best and evergreen music directors in South Film industry. Born as Daniel Rajayya in Pannaipuram, Madurai, Ilayaraja took to music when he was 14. He dropped out of school and joined his brother Pavalar Varadarajan, who was a musician for the Communist party of India. With his brother, Ilayaraja travelled all over Tamil Nadu performing concerts. They were called Pavalar Brothers. In 1968, Ilayaraja moved to Madras and joined Master Dhanraj. Under his guidance, Ilayaraja was trained western classical. He learnt Carnatic under singer T.V.Gopalakrishnana. Ilayaraja took the Tirnity college of Music examination and bagged gold medal in classical guitar. He then joined G.K.Venkatesh as assistant music drecitor. His first film as music director is Annakkili. The film was a run away musical hit. His prolific scores continued with films like Amavasya Chandrudu, Vasantha Kokila, Pallavi Anupallavi, Mounageetham, Abhilasha, Nireekshana, Kirathakudu, Rakshasudu, Sagarasangamam, Sitara, Anveshana, Ladies Tailor, and many many more. Ilayaraja composed music for more than 750 films in all the four South Indian languages. There is a special touch of Ilayraja in blending the western and classical. His tunes are always refreshing. No wonder he has got such a huge and loyal fan base. Ilayaraja is the best in Background Score films like Geethanjali, Mounaragam, Nayakudu,Kaalapani, dalapathi, anjali, abhinandana and moreIlayaraja won the Best Music Composer Award instituted by the Government of India three times, in 1984, 1986 & 1988.
He was also conferred with the Cultural Doctorate in Philosophy of Music by the World University Round Table, Arizona, USA.
He also holds doctorate degrees from the Annamalai and Madurai Kamraj Universities. First Asian to compose Symphony (Symphony No. 1) with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) of London.Presented with 'Kalaimamani Award', an annual award for excellence in the field of arts, by the Government of the State of Tamil Nadu, IndiaConferred the title 'Isaignani' (wisest in the field of music) in the year 1988, at Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India.Award of Appreciation presented in the year 1994,by the Foundation and Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America.Bestowed with the honorary citizenship and presented with the key to the Teanech Township, by Mr. John Abraham, Mayor of Township of Teanech, New Jersey, U.S.A., in June, 1994.