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Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'The most important thing about art is freedom': AR Rahman at London forum
As AR Rahman delivered a deeply personal and philosophical address on the closing day of India Global Forum London 2025 on June 23, he said, "The most important thing about art is freedom—you can't do that with a film studio. " The Oscar-winning composer used the platform to reflect on the evolving nature of creativity, the urgency of preserving Indian classical arts, and the complex role of artificial intelligence in music and storytelling. Rahman opened up about his growing dissatisfaction with traditional cinematic formats, saying, 'In cinema for over 40 years now, I was bored with the same rectangle form. It's just seeing and hearing—what else can we do?' This question led to the creation of Le Musk , his multisensory, immersive project that blends scent, touch, and narrative. Inspired by a conversation with his late wife, the project is now set for a year-long run in London. 'Why not create a theatre experience with perfume and haptics?' he said, describing Le Musk as more than a film—an experiment in expanding the sensory boundaries of storytelling. The conversation soon turned to the future of Indian classical music. Rahman sounded the alarm on the dwindling presence of traditional instruments and artists. 'Where is the next shehnai player? Where is the next Bismillah Khan Sahib?' he asked. 'Unless we find them, recognise them, and let the world see them—they'll vanish.' To address this, Rahman spoke of an initiative he's developing— JHAALA —that aims to spotlight under-recognised classical talent through technology, global exposure, and institutional support. 'We need to make the invisible visible,' he said. Rahman also offered a nuanced perspective on Artificial Intelligence. 'AI is like Frankenstein—it just steals from human experiences, human knowledge, human art, and then puts together multiple thoughts. It's copied from us.' Despite this, he encouraged artistes to use AI as a tool rather than view it as a threat. 'Don't fear it. Use it to speed up the mundane.' Rahman also pointed to global examples of cultural resurgence led by policy and collective effort. 'Look at South Korea and K-pop—it emerged in the last 10 years because of government involvement and economic growth. That needs to happen with Indian music too. We need to reinvent the wheel.' Throughout the session, Rahman repeatedly returned to the idea that art must remain untethered. 'True art doesn't always fit inside formats or institutions,' he said. 'It needs space to breathe.' He ended the session with a reminder of music's transcendent power: 'Music connects. It heals. It's a shared soul. And it belongs to everyone.'
Business Standard
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
"The Most Important Thing About Art is Freedom," says AR Rahman at IGF London 2025
PRNewswire London [UK], June 23: In a deeply personal and expansive conversation at the final day of India Global Forum London 2025 at Taj St. James' Court, Academy Award-winning composer AR Rahman urged artists, institutions, and governments alike to nurture creative freedom and cultural innovation. * Oscar-winning composer on scent cinema, AI, and the reinvention of Indian music culture "In cinema for over 40 years now, I was bored with the same rectangle form," Rahman confessed. "It's just seeing and hearing--what else can we do?" That question sparked Le Musk, Rahman's pioneering immersive project which brings scent, touch, and narrative together. "The idea came from my ex-wife who loved perfumes. I thought, why not create a theatre experience with perfume and haptics?" Now coming to London for a year, Le Musk is more than a film--it's an artistic manifesto, showcasing Rahman's continued defiance of convention. The fireside chat turned from personal to philosophical, as Rahman explored the urgent need to preserve traditional Indian music, asking: "Where is the next shehnai player? Where is the next Bismillah Khan Sahib? Unless we find them, recognize them, and let the world see them--they'll vanish. That's where the inspiration for JHAALA came in." JHAALA, Rahman's initiative to platform and preserve Indian classical arts, seeks to make the invisible visible--through technology, talent discovery, and global exposure. On artificial intelligence, Rahman struck a balanced note of caution and curiosity: "AI is like Frankenstein--it just steals from human experiences, human knowledge, human art, and then puts together multiple thoughts. It's copied from us. And now it gets faster, because we feel with emotion--and it just runs on data." "We should use it for what it is--for speeding up the mundane. Don't fear it, use it." Beyond technology, Rahman called for a national cultural renaissance: "If you look at South Korea and K-pop, it emerged in the last 10 years because of government involvement and economic growth. It was a collective movement. That needs to happen with Indian music too. We need to reinvent the wheel." Throughout the session, one sentiment rang clear: true art is unbound by formats, expectations, or institutions. "The most important thing about art is freedom," Rahman stated. "You can't do that with a film studio." He ended with a reminder of music's enduring universality: "Music transcends religion. It heals. It connects. It's a shared soul." IGF London 2025's closing conversations made one thing certain: in a world fractured by algorithms and agendas, it is artists like Rahman who restore harmony--not just in sound, but in society. The forum forms part of IGF London 2025. With over 100+ speakers, 1000 participants, and events across iconic venues in London, IGF London 2025 encompasses a spectrum of topics - from technology and trade to culture and commerce. This year's edition marks a powerful milestone - a decade since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's landmark 2015 visit to the UK, and the two nations have finalised the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement. IGF London is the first major international platform to celebrate and analyse this historic achievement, unlock new opportunities that emerge from its conclusion, and shape the next phase of UK-India collaboration. About India Global Forum India Global Forum tells the story of contemporary India. The pace of change and growth India has set itself is an opportunity for the world. IGF is the gateway for businesses and nations to help seize that opportunity. To know more, click here Social Media Handles & Hashtag to Follow Twitter: @IGFUpdates & @manojladwa LinkedIn: India Global Forum #IGFLondon Logo -
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
"The Most Important Thing About Art is Freedom," says AR Rahman at IGF London 2025
Oscar-winning composer on scent cinema, AI, and the reinvention of Indian music culture LONDON, June 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a deeply personal and expansive conversation at the final day of India Global Forum London 2025 at Taj St. James' Court, Academy Award-winning composer AR Rahman urged artists, institutions, and governments alike to nurture creative freedom and cultural innovation. "In cinema for over 40 years now, I was bored with the same rectangle form," Rahman confessed. "It's just seeing and hearing—what else can we do?" That question sparked Le Musk, Rahman's pioneering immersive project which brings scent, touch, and narrative together. "The idea came from my ex-wife who loved perfumes. I thought, why not create a theatre experience with perfume and haptics?" Now coming to London for a year, Le Musk is more than a film—it's an artistic manifesto, showcasing Rahman's continued defiance of convention. The fireside chat turned from personal to philosophical, as Rahman explored the urgent need to preserve traditional Indian music, asking: "Where is the next shehnai player? Where is the next Bismillah Khan Sahib? Unless we find them, recognize them, and let the world see them—they'll vanish. That's where the inspiration for JHAALA came in." JHAALA, Rahman's initiative to platform and preserve Indian classical arts, seeks to make the invisible visible—through technology, talent discovery, and global exposure. On artificial intelligence, Rahman struck a balanced note of caution and curiosity: "AI is like Frankenstein—it just steals from human experiences, human knowledge, human art, and then puts together multiple thoughts. It's copied from us. And now it gets faster, because we feel with emotion—and it just runs on data." "We should use it for what it is—for speeding up the mundane. Don't fear it, use it." Beyond technology, Rahman called for a national cultural renaissance: "If you look at South Korea and K-pop, it emerged in the last 10 years because of government involvement and economic growth. It was a collective movement. That needs to happen with Indian music too. We need to reinvent the wheel." Throughout the session, one sentiment rang clear: true art is unbound by formats, expectations, or institutions. "The most important thing about art is freedom," Rahman stated. "You can't do that with a film studio." He ended with a reminder of music's enduring universality: "Music transcends religion. It heals. It connects. It's a shared soul." IGF London 2025's closing conversations made one thing certain: in a world fractured by algorithms and agendas, it is artists like Rahman who restore harmony—not just in sound, but in society. The forum forms part of IGF London 2025. With over 100+ speakers, 1000 participants, and events across iconic venues in London, IGF London 2025 encompasses a spectrum of topics - from technology and trade to culture and commerce. This year's edition marks a powerful milestone - a decade since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's landmark 2015 visit to the UK, and the two nations have finalised the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement. IGF London is the first major international platform to celebrate and analyse this historic achievement, unlock new opportunities that emerge from its conclusion, and shape the next phase of UK-India collaboration. About India Global ForumIndia Global Forum tells the story of contemporary India. The pace of change and growth India has set itself is an opportunity for the world. IGF is the gateway for businesses and nations to help seize that opportunity. To know more, click here Social Media Handles & Hashtag to Follow Twitter: @IGFUpdates & @manojladwaLinkedIn: India Global Forum#IGFLondon Photo - - View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
News18
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
AR Rahman Receives Praise From Singapore President For Collaborating With Local Musicians
Last Updated: Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam praised AR Rahman for his contributions to the cultural scene and collaboration with local musicians. Singapore's President Tharman Shanmugaratnam has expressed deep appreciation for Oscar-winning Indian composer AR Rahman's continued collaboration with local musicians, calling it a meaningful contribution to the country's cultural scene. In a recent social media post shared on June 2, Tharman talked about how Rahman has uplifted Singapore's homegrown artists over the years. 'ARR has also done our own talent good over the years, by giving them valuable exposure," The Straits Times quoted him as saying. Referring to Singapore's diverse arts scene, the President noted, 'Our Indian music and cultural talent, from classical to the most contemporary and edgy, are naturally a minority in the local scene. But they make Singapore's multiculturalism all the more special." It was an honour meeting President @Tharman_S. My company, @ARRimmersive, looks forward to collaborating more with Singaporean artists on cutting-edge creative projects that push the boundaries of art and for the love at the Le Musk premiere. 🔗… — (@arrahman) June 3, 2025 Tharman named several Singaporean acts who have teamed up with the celebrated composer, including rapper-songwriter duo Lady Kash and Krissy, singer Shabir, and rapper Yung Raja. Notably, Rahman's 2014 film Highway featured the track Wanna Mash Up? in collaboration with Lady Kash and Krissy. The President also shared a personal touch, recalling Rahman's early ties with Singapore. Back in the 1980s, the composer made his first international trip to the city-state and bought his music gear from iconic local stores Swee Lee and City Music. 'Good to see that both local music stores are still going strong after all these years," Tharman added. Tharman also posted photographs from his meeting with the music maestro, who was in Singapore recently for the premiere of his directorial debut Le Musk — a 37-minute virtual reality film that blends scent, music, and immersive visuals. The film, which is showing at Golden Village Suntec City until August 12, features viewers sitting in specially designed egg-shaped chairs while wearing VR headsets and experiencing scents released during key moments. Rahman's bond with Singapore goes back decades. He has performed in the country multiple times, including concerts at Gardens by the Bay (2014), the Singapore Indoor Stadium (2005), Marina Bay Sands (2011), and most recently at the National Stadium in August 2024. First Published: June 04, 2025, 14:27 IST
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Singapore President Tharman praises A.R. Rahman for empowering local artists
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam has praised India's leading musician A R Rahman (ARR) for collaborating with local musicians and giving them "valuable exposure". "ARR has also done our own talent good over the years, by giving them valuable exposure," The Straits Times quoted Tharman as having said in a social media post on Monday (June 2). "Our Indian music and cultural talent, from classical to the most contemporary and edgy, are naturally a minority in the local scene. But they make Singapore's multiculturalism all the more special," Tharman said. Tharman listed the home-grown acts who have worked with Rahman - rapper-songwriter duo Lady Kash and Krissy, singer-musician Shabir and rapper Yung Raja. Rahman's collaborations include "Wanna Mash Up?," a song with Lady Kash and Krissy for the 2014 Hindi film Highway. Tharman added that Singapore was the first place the Chennai-born Rahman travelled to outside of India in the 1980s and how the musician bought his equipment from local music stores Swee Lee and City Music. "Good to see that both local music stores are still going strong after all these years," Tharman wrote. Tharman uploaded photos of himself meeting the Grammy-, Oscar- and Golden Globe-winning music and film icon popularly known as ARR, who was in town on May 10 and 11 for the premiere of Le Musk, a multi-sensory virtual reality (VR) film he directed that is screening at Golden Village Suntec City theatre until August 12. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Le Musk, a 37-minute film that marks his directorial debut, uses pioneering camera technologies to present an immersive film that blends VR, haptics, music and fragrance. At GV Suntec City, viewers will wear VR headsets and sit in special egg-shaped chairs that release scents. Rahman has staged several concerts in Singapore, most recently at the National Stadium on August 31 (2024). He also performed at Gardens by the Bay in 2014, the Singapore Indoor Stadium in 2005, and Marina Bay Sands in 2011. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
