Dear Rahmaniacs, The transcript of his interview to Raihannaji is as follows :-
My name is Selvakumar. I have a company called Audio Media. We do training on Apple Software for Video Editing, Music production. We do a software called Final Edit pro for Video Editing. Shake for Visual Effects. I had a Music recording studio from 1993. I basically did a degree in Music, from Madurai. I read B.A ( Music ) ,and learnt the Veena. I also used to be playing Guitar for a long time. Playing Mandolin and a lot of instruments. After doing my degree, I did my Diploma in Adyar Music College. I came here under the pretext of pursuing Veena but my quest was getting into the Film Industry and start playing music. I was playing a lot. In fact, once when I ordered for a Midi Guitar, the person got me something else. He got me a Rhythym Box. At that time, there was a Model called RX7 from YAMAHA. When I was doing my Bachelors, Mridangam was my subsdiary music. So, I started playing Rhythm Box for all the Music Directors. My first recording was for Mr. RAJAMANI. Then I was playing for Johnson. Then I started playing for Raj Koti. and at that time, I met Rahman. Rahman was playing Keyboard there, and that was the time, when he was actually leaving Raj Koti. By that time, I had also started sequencing. So, I also do Keyboard sequencing and stuff like that. I remember Rahman recommending me to Koti for sequencing. I was with Koti for about 2 years. Hello Brother was the last film with Koti. Then, I started my own studio, which multiplied into 4 studios ( said by RAIHANAji) . I was also doing these Music Albums for HMV. Ulavum Thendral CDs. After I started the studio in 1992, I got into a seperate line called Product Distribution. I was supplying Musical Instruments and other Equipments to Rahman and other MDs. I got into distribution of the Neundo Software. ( which is very very popular amongst Musicians and MDs ) I was the first distributor, and was the person who brought it into India. That association grew up, and I got associated with APPLE. Most of these softwares work well with Apple machines. Though, we knew each other, when it comes to Apple, Rahman is crazy about it, and we became little close. Any machine he wants in Apple, I am the one who supplies him the same. So, we are always in touch , both for the software and music. I also go to all Trade Shows in the world, to keep in touch with Apple's latest products. I am like the candy man for RAHMAN, bringing all the technology related stuff to him.. I had to go to Europe for some Conservatory Tie Ups. We want the School to be of International Standards. Its certainly that Rahman or me dont want to make money out of this. We want to make the Education 100% not available anywhere in India. There are a lot of Western Instruments, which dont have any teachers in India. like FRENCH HORN, OBO. For this, we wanted to get the teachers from Europe and the US. They will be coming down and teaching the music part of it, and from audio media, we will be teaching the technology part of it. The idea is to make them a full fledged musician, once they complete the program. For Voice Techniques, we have got a Faculty called Maxsmith, who is from Cincinnatti, USA. He would be taking the voice technique. Opera would be taught here, and the faculty would be giving adequate training if desired. For Carnatic Music, we have the Kings here in Chennai. So for teaching Hindustani Music, we wanted to bring Ghulam ali Mustapha, to be our guest faculty. He is in the Advisory Board and would also come on a monthly basis , to do workshop for our students. we have also got other teachers for Hindustani from other parts of the country. For Piano, we have a teacher from ITALY. One teacher from HOLLAND. They are all Master degrees in Music from big Conservatries in the West. We also have Violin Faculty from the Royal College of Music. All the teachers have been hand picked by us, and all are desirous of coming to India, and passionate to teach . There are going to be two types of courese. One is going to be the Preparatory type, which is open to anyone. For someone, who wants to take Music as a career, for them to start music, this could be a good option. The Foundation followed by a Degree is our Professional Course. Its a full time course, and is really a full time. We are looking at students, who will learn music for 6 to 7 hours in college, and who will practise the same for about 8 hrs ( compulsory). Being consistent is the key for success. For Eg :- We are getting a Vocal Student. He gets the vocal classes, plus a repertoire on Hindustani. Piano is going to be compulsory for all students. Very high End Western Classical Theory, as Theory is the key for high end composing. Everybody who joins here, can become a Sound Engineer, Arranger, Composer, and also a Sequencer in Logic. After four years, they will become a full fledged musician, and can produce their own album. One more Important Course is COMMUNICATIVE ENGLISH. There are a lot of musicians, who dont know how to sell themselves. We would teach them how to go and talk in the stage, etc . Our program is going to be an affiliate program, and is shortly going to be affiliated to MADRAS UNIVERSITY. We need a minimum Plus two for students to join in. we assume that they would have had enough English . All our faculty are foreigners, and they would not be knowing to speak TAMIL. For the Foundation and Degree Course, Knowing english is a must. VISION FOR THE SCHOOL :- Take Music to an International level. The Musician who goes out of here, should be able to do Post Graduate Programs in other Conservatories, without any hesitation etc. The standard has to match. They should be compatible to any orchestra. We are starting with a Graduate Program now, and would be scaling up with a Post Graduate and a Doctorate degree soon. We have a Vision to do the Whole thing. We are also planning for these exchange programs with other conservatories in Europe. Those students would come here to learn Indian Music. we also have this Ethno Musicology, where the students from the West will learn folk music here etc . Once the bigger school gets ready next year, it will have other departments. If at all, anyone wants to learn just one instrument, they can come and learn it in the Preparatory program. Its weekly two days. They will teach the Instrument and the Theory, as theory is underlying. FAV SONG OF RAHMAN :- Every song is favourite for me. Veerapandi Kottayile .. In fact, I like all the songs from Thiruda Thiruda, as these were the songs, Rahman sequenced himself, all the songs. There is so much underlying work in all these songs. -- regards, Vithur HELP EVER; HURT NEVER; LOVE ALL; SERVE ALL
