Industrialist Mukesh Ambani and his wife Nita launch AR Rahman's music college in Chennai on Friday. (PTI)
It was a dream come true for Oscar winner A R Rahman. His fledgling five-year-old K M Music Conservatory moved to a brand new state of the art campus in Chennai on Eid Day.
The Chairman of Reliance Industries Ltd Mukesh Ambani and his wife Nita inaugurated the new campus named K M College of Music and Technology.
Soulful music by students and the faculty treated the audience. Mr Ambani described Rahman as a legend who exceeded his expectations by hundred times. "Whenever I think of innovation, I think of you" he added.
The college would nurture musical talent among underprivileged children. "I find a greater commitment among poor children and they could turn professionals," Mr Rahman told NDTV. He added, "It's a dream come true for me. We started this in a car shed."
The college is affiliated with the Middlesex University in London. With faculty from around the world, it offers a range of full time and part time courses on classical music. The college's studio also offers high-tech facilities for film and band recordings and sound design.
Does the double academy award winner guarantee Oscar for music learners at his college? A laughing Rahman says, "Students should aim beyond Oscars."