Two-time Oscar winner A.R. Rahman has been named honorary president of Trinity Laban, Britain’s sole conservatoire for music, musical theater and contemporary dance, for a five-year term.
The composer of “Slumdog Millionaire” follows conductor Charles Mackerras and violinist Yehudi Menuhin in the role. His appointment builds on Trinity Laban’s 125-year history of music education in India and extends a 15-year collaboration between the institution and Rahman’s KM Music Conservatory (KMMC) in Chennai.
Rahman, whose credits include “Bombay Dreams” with Andrew Lloyd Webber and the “Lord of the Rings” musical, won two Academy Awards, two Grammys and a BAFTA for his “Slumdog Millionaire” score. He recently earned his seventh Indian National Film Award for “Ponniyin Selvan.”
“It is a great honor and privilege for me to accept the role,” Rahman said, noting that during his 2023 visit to Trinity Laban, he “recognised the institution’s deep drive to nurture the best of art for the world.” “We live in an age where music, dance, and technology combined are primed to explore the vastness of human expression. I am glad that the creative relationships between U.K. and India can continue to be strengthened and I hope that through this role we can explore more exciting possibilities for the future together,” he added.
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The appointment comes as Trinity Laban formalizes its partnership with KMMC, allowing students to split studies between Chennai and London. The conservatoire is also working with Rahman to explore adding musical theater to its curriculum. Musical theater is uppermost on the composer’s mind these days as he revealed during a masterclass focusing on the subject at the recent International Film Festival of India in Goa.
Principal Anthony Bowne said Rahman “embodies the ethos of innovation, engagement and excellence that we strive to achieve at Trinity Laban.” Aleksander Szram, artistic director added, “We believe that embracing talent from around the world is vital to an outstanding performing arts education.”
The institution will celebrate Rahman’s appointment with an Indian music event featuring student performances of his work at Blackheath Halls on March 7, 2025.
Beyond his film work, Rahman composed for the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony and has collaborated with artists including U2, Mick Jagger’s SuperHeavy, and Michael Bolton. He’s currently developing “Slumdog Millionaire: The Musical” and has ventured into film directing with “Le Musk” and producing with “99 Songs.”
Trinity Laban supports Rahman’s Sunshine Orchestra, launched in 2009 to provide music education to underprivileged children. The conservatoire’s International Academies program, established in 2013, offers masterclasses, recitals, and teaching across India.