MUMBAI: After representing Indian music on the World map with two Oscars and collaborating with international artistes, AR Rahman has inspired Trinity College of London to include Bollywood and Indian classical music in its curriculum.
Explaining the reason behind change in the syllabus to PTI, Trinity College chief executive Sarah Kemp said, “Bollywood music has been catapulted to centre stage. The international success of Rahman’s music has a very important role in bringing Indian music to the world platform. We are changing our syllabus to keep it fresh, relevant and contemporary. It should reflect global trends and including Bollywood music, is a way of doing that. This brings inclusiveness in our repertoire.”
Trinity College Chief Examiner of Music Nick Keyworth said, Under a pilot project in London, we have offered Carnatic music of South India to some of our students. Depending on the feedback we might include Indian classical into our syllabus permanently. Overall, the focus was on rock, pop and jazz which were hot favourites among students….
The Trinity College delivers around 500,000 assessments each year worldwide, out of which 36,000 were from India. In music, the assessments were offered in piano, violin, viola, cello, classical guitar, plectrum guitar, keyboards, flutes, recorders, singing and drumkits.
The Trinity College of London is a leading international examinations board providing qualifications in the English language and performing arts including music, dance, drama and speech. It is present in over 60 countries all over the world; the pan-India network has over 30 centres.