Oscar, BAFTA, Golden Globe and Grammy-winning composer A.R. Rahman (“Slumdog Millionaire”) and the KM Music Conservatory have unveiled the Bharat Maestro Awards, a new initiative celebrating Indian classical music and its practitioners.
The awards program features three distinct categories: four awards for promising young musicians, a lifetime achievement honor for educators, and a state medallion recognizing regional contributions to classical music preservation.
The mentor panel includes established musicians Asha Bhosle, Amjad Ali Khan, Bombay Jayashri and Ajoy Chakrabarty. The advisory board comprises Ila Paliwal, Sai Shravanam, Bharat Bala, Fathima Rafiq, Khatija Rahman, Adam Greig and Clint Valladares.
Recipients will receive cash prizes and opportunities to perform internationally, including collaborations with Rahman. The awards presentation will follow the Indian traditional guru (teacher)-shishya (disciple) format, with teachers presenting honors to their students.
“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. The idea behind instituting this is for it to be more than just an award; it’s about connecting the past, present, and future of music, and uniting us all through the language of sound,” Rahman said.
The launch coincides with KM Music Conservatory’s 16th anniversary. Founded by Rahman, the institution offers programs in Western and Indian classical music traditions and music technology.
“The Conservatory has always sought to bridge the gap between tradition and modernity, creating opportunities for young artists to develop their craft while staying grounded in the cultural fabric of India. With this annual award being instituted, I want to support in building an ecosystem that will also fuel the immersive experiences in the arena of music,” Rahman added.