amazing. really amazing. glad to know that ARR attended the function. ARR deserves this and many more. thanx for this exclusive share and pics.
On Wed, Jul 8, 2009 at 8:41 AM, Gopal Srinivasan <[email protected]>wrote: > Middlesex University honours India’s brightest musical star– AR Rahman > 8 July, 2009 > > A visit from an Indian superstar brought Middlesex University and its > students to a standstill yesterday. AR Rahman is an Indian composer, > record producer, musician and singer and is probably best known as the > winner of two Academy Awards for the music he wrote for the smash hit > film Slumdog Millionaire. His visit to Middlesex University in Hendon, > London had two purposes. Along with Middlesex’s Vice-Chancellor, > Professor Michael Driscoll, he signed a Memorandum of Understanding > between his KM Music Conservatory in Chennai, India and the > University. AR, as he is known, was also awarded an Honorary Degree, > making him a Doctor of Middlesex University, the highest honour the > University can bestow. > > Middlesex is an extremely popular British university throughoutIndia > and hundreds of Indian students come to study on its London campuses. > When the word got out that their musical hero, AR Rahman, was coming > to receive his honorary degree, excitement started to mount. When he > arrived on campus, there were scenes reminiscent of Beatlemania; women > screamed and men mobbed him for an autograph or just a glance in their > direction! > > In his speech to the University’s academics and students, AR Rahman > thanked the University and said: “It is an enormous honour to belong > to this great seat of learning. My journey as a musician started at > the age of nine and I see music as a way to connect to spirituality > and embrace it. Music touches people and breaks down barriers, > creating harmony in troubled times.This has always been my > philosophy”. > > The Memorandum of Understanding between AR Rahman’s KM Music > Conservatory and Middlesex University focuses on educational > collaboration between India and the UK. The two organisations have > agreed to explore the possibilities for collaboration in music and > education and to support one of AR Rahman’s ‘pet projects’, that of > the blending of Asian and Western musical styles. > > Dr Terry Butland is Deputy Vice-Chancellor International at Middlesex > University. He commented on the Memorandum of Understanding: “I can’t > think of a more suitable and well placed partner for the University > than AR Rahman. We are delighted to sign this Memorandum of > Understanding which paves the way for what will undoubtedly be some > interesting and innovative projects delivered jointly between > Middlesex University and the KM Music Conservatory”. AR Rahman > explained the background to the Memorandum of Understanding: “We > looked at lots of universities but felt Middlesex had the right, > friendly, vibe as well as its great history” > > During his visit to Middlesex University, AR Rahman revealed the > current projects heis working on. He is scoring a comedy film and also > writing and performing on a pop album, working with a well known hip > hop label, Inderscope.His KM Music Conservatory has only been open a > year, but already has 200 students. When asked about what he considers > to be his biggest achievement, AR says it is infilm music. “As a human > being I have so many interests. The Academy Awards [forSlumdog > Millionaire] opened doors worldwide and legitimised Indian musicians” > > Description for the photographs - > > (1) AR Rahman receiving his honorary degree from Middlesex > University’s Chancellor, The Rt Hon Lord Sheppard of Didgemere; > (2) AR Rahman with Middlesex University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor > Michael Driscoll > > Courtesy of Ashanti Omkar and Middlesex University > > > ------------------------------------ > > Are you searching for a reason, to be kind? > <b> > Explore, Experience, Enjoy A.R.Rahman - The Man, The Music, The Magic. > Only at arrahmanfans.com - The definitive A.R.Rahman e-community. > > Homepage: http://www.arrahmanfans.com > Admin: [email protected] > To Subscribe: [email protected] > To Unsubscribe: [email protected]! Groups > Links > > > >
