MUMBAI: Two-time Academy Award-winner AR Rahman, whose work has been accolade with several awards and title, was conferred with an American Honorary doctorate from Miami University on 5 May.
Overwhelmed with an doctorate and an invitation to deliver a key note at the University’s spring ceremony. Rahman stated in his opening speech that 25 years ago, he’d never imagined the US president and his family sending him personally signed invitations to come over to the White House, getting a visa to come to the US, let alone coming over to share his love and music with Miami University and also getting his first American honorary doctorate from Miami of Ohio.
For over ten years, Rahman has been associated with Miami University which had also assisted him in the making of KM Music Conservatory. “I cannot believe that it is over ten years since my music and I have been associated with Miami University. I have enjoyed collaborating with your students and faculty and above all, every interaction has allowed for greater understanding, sensitivity and growth. I feel humbled by the fact that so many students here from another culture have made my music part of their lives. Learning from this experience has allowed me to gain considerable confidence in starting my own Western Classical Music Conservatory in India. KM Music Conservatory academy has grown in multiple ways and they have grown themselves learning from our culture back in South India,” Rahman gratified.
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The maestro who believed on the purity of work also shared about the impact music had on his life. Speaking about the musical enhancement, he expressed, “Music does not belong to one country or one race of people. My Sufi teachers opened my consciousness and helped me discover myself. People from all around India have embraced me and my music without any discrimination and today, I find the same spirit of acceptance in Hollywood. When I started listening to Bach, I did not know what religion he was, or which country he came from. Over the 25 years I have learnt, not merely their instrumental or vocal styles but also absorb the philosophies that have empowered their musical language.”
The ever humble Rahman did not forget to thank few special people in his speech. “I wish to thank a few people who have made a significant impact in my life: My father and mother have anchored me with good values; then Mani Ratnam who is India’s noted filmmaker gave me my first break in the world of cinema in the film Roja.”
Ending the speech on positive note, the musical genius asserted, “You have all the talent but the most important equipment that you need to have in order to begin the long climb is a very simple device called a ‘Smile’. Just wear it and you will see how smiles get converted to miles!”
