Oscar and Grammy-winning music composer A.R. Rahman, in collaboration with his music institute, KM Music Conservatory, has launched the Bharat Maestro Awards.
The awards will recognize the timeless influence of Indian classical music, honour legendary figures in Indian classical music, and inspire future musical talents.
The new initiative is aimed at preserving the rich tradition and honouring the music legends associated with the genre.
The awards will not only recognize the contributions of past legends but also celebrate the achievements of contemporary music icons.
The launch of the Bharat Maestro Awards also coincides with the 16th anniversary of KM Music Conservatory.
Founded by the award-winning singer-songwriter himself, KM Music Conservatory is a higher educational institute offering a range of part-time and full-time courses in Hindustani and Western classical music and music technology.
Musicians who will form the mentor panel include renowned names like Asha Bhosle, Amjad Ali Khan, Bombay Jayashri and Ajoy Chakrabarty.
The advisory board would comprise Ila Paliwal, Sai Shravanam, Bharat Bala, Fathima Rafiq, Khatija Rahman, Adam Greig and Clint Valladares.
The Bharat Maestro Awards will honour individuals across various categories, including the Stellar Young Musicians Award, Lifetime Achievement Award for the Guru, and the State Medallion for Music Contribution.
Four awards will be presented to promising young musicians, a lifetime achievement honour for educators, and a state medallion recognising the regional contributions of those who took significant steps in classical music preservation.
The awards will be presented in the traditional Indian Guru-Shishya (Teacher-Disciple) format.
Recipients of this prestigious award will additionally receive cash prizes and opportunities to perform on the international stage, even collaborating with the maestro himself.
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The award-winning composer said, “The greatest joy of a guru is to witness the success and growth of their students, and it is this bond that the Bharat Maestro Awards seeks to celebrate. This initiative goes beyond just awards; it connects the past, present, and future of music, uniting us all through the language of sound.”
