The Neo Art Magazine

Award-winning music composer and lyricist A. R. Rahman has been appointed as the honorary president of the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, which is in the heart of London, well-known for its arts related to music, dance, and theatre. This position epitomizes the growth of the Trimontain institution, as he brings in growth in cultural relations between India and the UK. This collaboration aims to expand its worldwide artistic outreach even stronger.

A. R. Rahman, as we know him, returned to India in the late 90s, gained recognition in part through his work on the film “Roja,” and went on to be the first Indian to win two Oscar Awards. He is known for his cutting-edge concoction of traditional Eastern music and Western music. He fundamentally changed the landscape of the Indian music industry, which previously focused on Bollywood music and later Indian pop. He is one of the 100 most influential people in the world, recognized by Time magazine and close to 170 million people of Indian descent.

Rahman has won several GRAMMYs, a BAFTA, and multiple Indian National Film Awards, among others. His influence is not limited to India, as he has transformed the Indian film music industry and is considered a UK-based music trendsetter. His works, like the 2012 London Olympic Games Opening Ceremony and other performances, fuse a blend of Indian and Western culture.

This partnership builds on over a decade of continued efforts from both sides, where Trinity Laban and Rahman’s KM Music Conservatory (KMMC), based in Chennai, have been collaborating with each other. Throughout the duration, KMMC and TL have had a number of musical exchange programs that allowed students to partake in classes and workshops that shaped their musicality.

As for A. R. Rahman, he has joined the institution as the honorary president with an ambition to enable students and alumni of Trinity Laban to engage with new artwork and culture from an international perspective during his helm. His vision for the center is expected to redefine the range and depth of artistic events that students from 61 countries can attend.

Trinity Laban became involved in the Indian music education sector through the International Academies scheme, which started in 2013 and was expanded in 2009; music education in the Indian subcontinent dates back 125 years.  This program strives to offer Indian students international standard educational qualifications while providing them the opportunity to experience other cultures. Rahman’s engagement with this program further consolidates these initiatives and builds new bridges for artistic interaction between India and the United Kingdom.

As of 2008, it has been exposing Trinity Laban students to the KM Music Conservatory, which was founded by Rahman and is also in agreement with the policy of developing artistic excellence.  As a result, they began to search for additional areas of collaboration, such as the incorporation of modern dance and the teaching of musical theatre into their syllabi. Such ideas represent a resolve to incorporate new performing arts education ideas and customs from multiple places around the globe.

A. R. Rahman considers that his agency perfectly complies with the Trinity Laban campus, inspiring students to invent and go beyond limits.  His focus will certainly add value to the conservatoire’s international network. Here’s what he says:

“It is a great honour and privilege for me to accept the role of Honorary President of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. When I visited Trinity Laban in 2023, I recognised the institution’s deep drive to nurture the best of art for the world; an ever evolving, living expression to be shared with the world. This is a similar ideal I seek to instil in my own KM Music Conservatory and Sunshine Orchestra in Chennai. We live in an age where music, dance, and technology combined are primed to explore the vastness of human expression. I am glad that the creative relationships between UK and India can continue to be strengthened and I hope that through this role we can explore more exciting possibilities for the future together.”

Rahman’s appointment as a member of the Trinity Laban School reflects its readiness to widen its boundaries and be more innovative. The conservatoire’s artistic director, Eskandar Szram, exemplified this decision through performance arts education, emphasizing how it fosters diversity and global creativity in the performing arts.

It is clear that almost every student will be inspired by Rahman’s leadership to accept once-considered alternative approaches to art. His multi-genre experience, which spans from his musical score for the popular movie Slumdog Millionaire to collaboration with greats like U2 and Mick Jagger, is sure to be of enormous help to students who wish to have diversified careers.

Indian students are seeking new opportunities. This partnership carries immense weight, especially for learners in India. A good number of Indian musicians that have attended Trinity Laban College under the various scholarship programs have been successful, with some of them joining the Symphony Orchestra of India. With Rahman’s appointment, this trend may get a boost further and motivate many Indian talents to go international.

Innovative Career Andrew Rahman is a humanitarian too, and he does not only confine his movement to music.  He has projects like the Sunshine Orchestra, which helps less privileged kids learn music. In the same way, his massive amounts of money donated for disaster relief efforts, together with needy people, stress his desire to make a difference without boundaries from the arts.

Professor Anthony Bowne, Principal of Trinity Laban says, “A. R. Rahman embodies the ethos of innovation, engagement and excellence that we strive to achieve at Trinity Laban. His work transcends boundaries across multiple art forms and genres, and we believe his leadership will inspire our students to broaden their musical experiences and embrace new forms of artistic expression.”

He has built a reality thriller, Le Musk and Slumdog Millionaire: The Musical, and he is working on other plans too. His innovative approach at Trinity Laban is expected to foster an environment where students can think creatively across disciplines.

Honorary President of Trinity Laban, A. R. Rahman’s appointment cannot be seen as a mere ceremonial appointment, since it has meaning for the performing arts. It highlights the essence of global integration, innovation, and inclusivity in contemporary society. For the students and alumni of Trinity Laban, Rahman’s leadership opens up new artistic dimensions and processes in the discourse on the creative potential of the art world.

Aleksander Szram, Artistic Director comments, “A. R. Rahman’s appointment reflects our commitment to expanding the repertoire and experiences available to Trinity Laban’s students. Our global community includes students from over 60 countries and we believe that embracing talent from around the world is vital to an outstanding performing arts education. We look forward to the inspiration and vision Rahman will bring to the conservatoire in the coming years.”

This collaborative undertaking in honor of Rahman’s remarkable life and achievements, as well as the rich tradition of the conservatoire, ideally demonstrates how organizations can utilize their role as gatekeepers to different cultural areas and empower budding artists in the process.

In a world so often beset by division, A. R. Rahman’s partnership with Trinity Laban is a source of hope and oneness. It emphasizes music as a universal medium that provides everyone with an opportunity to connect with one another across the globe. As he sits as their honorary president, A. R. Rahman has been able to, and will, reach out beyond the confines of this institution and impact the world over in how performing arts are taught.

Rahman’s journey from Chennai to Hollywood is an inspiration for artists who are on the rise. It is proof that with adequate passion and dedication, change can happen. While taking on this new position, Rahman continues to establish that the arts are more than just an embodiment of culture but rather a catalyst for growth and reform.