Rahman plans second music conservatory in West Bengal

Kolkata, April 4 (IANS) After setting up his first western classical music conservatory in Chennai, music maestro A.R. Rahman plans to set up the second one in Kolkata. He said he would love to explore talents from West Bengal.

'The first music conservatory in India for training national musicians in western classical music will be opened at Chennai in June. The second one will follow shortly in Kolkata,' Rahman told IANS.

Speaking of Kolkata and music, Rahman said: 'The city breathes refreshing music. I was thoroughly inspired by the traditional baul music while composing for 'Mangal Pandey'. In fact, I would love to explore the new talents and music of West Bengal.

'Right now I am planning a new album. It has been 10 years after 'Vande Mataram' that I came up with a new one,' added Rahman who was here Thursday to shoot the season finale of Airtel Bandwagon, a television reality show promoting music bands.

Rahman, who wowed his fans with melodious and soulful compositions in 'Jodhaa Akbar', also said that he would return to Kolkata with a larger-than-life concert by the end of this year.

Incidentally, Rahman's first music concert in India was held in Kolkata in February 2003.