Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director, Reliance Industries, inaugurated the KM College of Music and Technology founded by music director A.R. Rahman here today.
Speaking at the launch, Rahman said the institute was a step to recognise music as a serious art form, and liberate it from the trappings of cinematic entertainment.
Sufi ensemble
Upon arrival at the institute, Ambani and his wife Nita Ambani were treated to a Sufi ensemble performed by students of KM Music Conservatory, after which the industrialist and his wife were taken on guided tour of the facility, which boasts a 10,000 sq.ft lawn, a wide foyer, two floors of ensemble classrooms, separate recording studios for the piano, drums, and one for string instruments.
Singer Shakthisree Gopalan, the architect of the building, says the second and top-most floors have an auditorium and a reading lounge. The library is on the first floor, and the recording studios and classrooms occupy the rest of the building.
The new 27,000 sq.ft facility will also accommodate an orchestra school for underprivileged children, apart from housing Rahman’s music school KM Music Conservatory, set up in 2008.
UK affiliation
On offer are full-time and part-time courses affiliated to the Middlesex University, London.
Asked about the prospect of the college receiving funding from the Reliance Industries Chairman, Rahman said the institute was not looking to partner with anyone for investments.
bharani.v@thehindu.co.in