Indian composer A.R. Rahman opens music school

Well-known Indian composer A.R. Rahman has opened a school to train promising musicians in the southern Indian city of Chennai, a newspaper reported Tuesday.

Rahman said he felt the need for a school to teach talented musicians production and technology skills.

"I have finally opened my music conservatory," he told the Mumbai Mirror newspaper. "In the coming months we will have students and singers training in performances and production."

One of India's leading composers, Rahman produced the music for the stage musical version of J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy The Lord of the Rings, which premiered in Toronto, for Andrew Lloyd Webber's Bombay Dreams and songs for more than 120 movies, including Canadian director Deepa Mehta's elements trilogy: Fire, Earth and Water.

"Having the knowledge of both music performances and music technology is invaluable," Rahman was quoted as saying. "The skill to perform an instrument combined with production capabilities will ensure many more career opportunities."

He said he also hopes the school will nurture gifted musicians who could be part of an orchestra that he dreams of starting.

"Indian composers usually travel abroad to record with orchestras. My vision is to provide an orchestra in India," Rahman said.