Maroc - POPDIARIES.COM - A La Une - 07/Jan 17:48

AR Rahman Introduces Bharat Maestro Awards to Honour Classical Masters

Oscar-winning composer and singer A.R. Rahman has partnered with the KM Music Conservatory to uncover the Bharat Maestro Awards. This new initiative is designed to celebrate the long term impact of Indian classical music while nurturing the talent of future generations. The awards focuses to preserve the rich cultural heritage of Indian classical music and recognize the legendary artists associated with the particular genre. The announcement clashed with Rahman's 58th birthday. The launch of the Bharat Maestro Awards also marks the 16th anniversary of the KM Music Conservatory, which Rahman himself had founded. This well known institution offers both part-time and full-time courses in Hindustani and Western classical music, as well as music technology. Reports by Variety say, the Bharat Maestro Awards will honor musicians in three categories: four awards for promising young talents, a lifetime achievement award for educators, and a state medallion recognizing regional contributors who have majorly advanced the preservation of classical music. Award recipients will receive cash prizes, along with several opportunities to perform on international platforms, and even collaborate with A.R. Rahman! The awards will be presented in the traditional Guru-Shishya (Teacher-Disciple) format, where gurus will present the awards to their “shishya” in recognition of their brilliant  talent. The composer also shared his thoughts on the initiative, stating, “The greatest joy of a guru is to witness the success and growth of their students, and it is this bond that the Bharat Maestro Awards seeks to celebrate. The idea behind instituting this is for it to be more than just an award; it’s about connecting the past, present, and future of music and uniting us all through the language of sound." The panel of mentors for the awards will include influential figures like Asha Bhosle, Amjad Ali Khan, Bombay Jayashri, and Ajoy Chakrabarty. The advisory board will feature prominent names such as Ila Paliwal, Sai Shravanam, Bharat Bala, Fathima Rafiq, Khatija Rahman, Adam Greig, and Clint Valladares too. A.R. Rahman’s official team also shared the news on Instagram by  posting a screenshot of the Variety article. They said, “Honored to announce the launch of the #BharatMaestroAwards, celebrating the timeless art of Indian classical music." They further stated, “Together, we honour bright talents, educators, and regional pioneers who keep this rich legacy alive. Let’s connect past, present, and future through the universal language of music." READ MORE -  BCCI In Dilemma Over Potential Retirement of Rohit and Kohli