Rahman teams up with UK University for fusion music

Oscar winner musician A. R. Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Middlesex University of United Kingdom (UK), focusing on blending Asian and Western music styles.

With this MOU between A.R. Rahman’s KM Music Conservatory in Chennai (India) and Middlesex University, both the organizations agreed to explore the possibilities for collaboration in music and education, and it aims at educational collaboration between India and UK. Both the institutions are reportedly looking at offering a collaborative three-year music program. This University has also awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree to Rahman.

Rahman thinks of this collaboration in music instruction “as a great bridge between Indian and Western music”.

Middlesex University, whose history dates back to 1878, offers programs in music composition, music management, music performance, jazz, popular music, etc. Besides London, it has campuses on Dubai (United Arab Emirates) and Hertfordshire (UK).

Rahman, who has reportedly recorded sales of over 300 million, was called “Mozart of Madras” by Time magazine. Pop icon Michael Jackson reportedly approached him before his death to partner on a peace anthem on the lines of “We are the World”.Rahman sees music “as a way to connect to spirituality and embrace it” and for “creating harmony in troubled times”.

-Sampurn Media