A.R. Rahman Launches Bharat Maestro Awards To Celebrate Indian Classical Music Excellence

Oscar, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Grammy-winning composer A.R. Rahman, in collaboration with the KM Music Conservatory, has introduced the Bharat Maestro Awards, a prestigious initiative celebrating Indian classical music and its practitioners.

The awards feature three categories: four honors for promising young musicians, a lifetime achievement award for educators, and a state medallion recognizing regional efforts in preserving classical music traditions.

A mentor panel of iconic musicians, including Asha Bhosle, Amjad Ali Khan, Bombay Jayashri, and Ajoy Chakrabarty, will guide the initiative. The advisory board comprises industry experts like Ila Paliwal, Sai Shravanam, Bharat Bala, Fathima Rafiq, Khatija Rahman, Adam Greig, and Clint Valladares.

Award recipients will not only receive cash prizes but also gain international performance opportunities, including potential collaborations with Rahman himself. In line with Indian traditions, the awards ceremony will adopt the guru-shishya format, where teachers will honor their students.

Highlighting the vision behind the awards, Rahman 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. The idea 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.”

The Bharat Maestro Awards coincide with the 16th anniversary of the KM Music Conservatory, Rahman’s institution dedicated to nurturing talent in Western and Indian classical music and music technology.

Rahman further emphasized the institution's mission, stating,“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, I aim to support an ecosystem that fuels immersive experiences in the music arena.”

The Bharat Maestro Awards promise to become a cornerstone in celebrating and preserving India’s rich musical heritage.