Latest news with #LeMusk
Hindustan Times
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
AR Rahman meets OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, other AI leaders to discuss his project Secret Mountain; know all about it
Oscar-winning music composer AR Rahman met with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to discuss his upcoming AI project, Secret Mountain. He took to social media to post a picture with Sam, writing about how they talked about the project and teasing a future collaboration. AR Rahman posted a picture with Sam Altman on his social media. AR Rahman meets Sam Altman Rahman posted a picture that shows him dressed in a suit and Sam in a casual T-shirt and jeans. He wrote that he met up with Sam at his office to discuss Secret Mountain, a virtual global band project made with the help of AI. He said, 'It was a pleasure meet @sama at his office …we discussed 'Secret Mountain', our virtual global band, and to empower and uplift Indian minds to use AI tools to address generational challenges and lead the way forward. EPI @chatgptIndia @OpenAI #arrimmersiveentertainment @hashgraph.' Srinivas Narayanan, VP of OpenAI wrote about how Rahman held a Q&A about the project, 'It was an incredible honor to host the legend @arrahma - a huge idol of mine - at @OpenAI today for a fireside chat and Q& being an iconic composer, he is also a true innovator—constantly pushing boundaries, from creating the VR film Le Musk to building a metahuman digital band with Secret Mountain.' He added, 'It was inspiring to hear his thoughts on how AI is reshaping creative expression, his recent projects at the intersection of technology and the arts, and his vision for the future of music and media. Really grateful for this unforgettable conversation!' Rahman also met Aravind Srinivas of Perplexity AI to discuss the project. Arvavind posted a picture with Rahman on his social media, writing, 'Great hosting @arrahman at @perplexity_ai office today with live demos of Comet browser, and his upcoming project 'Secret Mountain'.' What is Secret Mountain? In February last year, Rahman posted a video on YouTube that introduced Secret Mountain. It tells the story of a young woman called Luna who is transported to the world of Secret Mountain, where she meets different musical characters from various cultural backgrounds. In the video, Luna says, 'Hey, I'm Luna, let me tell you a story. Like most of us, I have been wandering the jungles of instant gratification, dooms of scrolling.' Secret Mountain is described as a 'Meta band' on the website, adding that Rahman's own musical compositions serve as the 'heartbeat' for it. Recent work Rahman recently received praise for his compositions for Chhaava, Kadhalikka Neramillai, and Thug Life. He is now collaborating with Hans Zimmer to compose the music of Nitesh Tiwari's Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash-starrer Ramayana films. He also has numerous other projects lined up, including Tere Ishk Mein and Peddi.
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'The most important thing about art is freedom': AR Rahman at London forum
As AR Rahman delivered a deeply personal and philosophical address on the closing day of India Global Forum London 2025 on June 23, he said, "The most important thing about art is freedom—you can't do that with a film studio. " The Oscar-winning composer used the platform to reflect on the evolving nature of creativity, the urgency of preserving Indian classical arts, and the complex role of artificial intelligence in music and storytelling. Rahman opened up about his growing dissatisfaction with traditional cinematic formats, saying, 'In cinema for over 40 years now, I was bored with the same rectangle form. It's just seeing and hearing—what else can we do?' This question led to the creation of Le Musk , his multisensory, immersive project that blends scent, touch, and narrative. Inspired by a conversation with his late wife, the project is now set for a year-long run in London. 'Why not create a theatre experience with perfume and haptics?' he said, describing Le Musk as more than a film—an experiment in expanding the sensory boundaries of storytelling. The conversation soon turned to the future of Indian classical music. Rahman sounded the alarm on the dwindling presence of traditional instruments and artists. 'Where is the next shehnai player? Where is the next Bismillah Khan Sahib?' he asked. 'Unless we find them, recognise them, and let the world see them—they'll vanish.' To address this, Rahman spoke of an initiative he's developing— JHAALA —that aims to spotlight under-recognised classical talent through technology, global exposure, and institutional support. 'We need to make the invisible visible,' he said. Rahman also offered a nuanced perspective on Artificial Intelligence. 'AI is like Frankenstein—it just steals from human experiences, human knowledge, human art, and then puts together multiple thoughts. It's copied from us.' Despite this, he encouraged artistes to use AI as a tool rather than view it as a threat. 'Don't fear it. Use it to speed up the mundane.' Rahman also pointed to global examples of cultural resurgence led by policy and collective effort. 'Look at South Korea and K-pop—it emerged in the last 10 years because of government involvement and economic growth. That needs to happen with Indian music too. We need to reinvent the wheel.' Throughout the session, Rahman repeatedly returned to the idea that art must remain untethered. 'True art doesn't always fit inside formats or institutions,' he said. 'It needs space to breathe.' He ended the session with a reminder of music's transcendent power: 'Music connects. It heals. It's a shared soul. And it belongs to everyone.'
Business Standard
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
"The Most Important Thing About Art is Freedom," says AR Rahman at IGF London 2025
PRNewswire London [UK], June 23: In a deeply personal and expansive conversation at the final day of India Global Forum London 2025 at Taj St. James' Court, Academy Award-winning composer AR Rahman urged artists, institutions, and governments alike to nurture creative freedom and cultural innovation. * Oscar-winning composer on scent cinema, AI, and the reinvention of Indian music culture "In cinema for over 40 years now, I was bored with the same rectangle form," Rahman confessed. "It's just seeing and hearing--what else can we do?" That question sparked Le Musk, Rahman's pioneering immersive project which brings scent, touch, and narrative together. "The idea came from my ex-wife who loved perfumes. I thought, why not create a theatre experience with perfume and haptics?" Now coming to London for a year, Le Musk is more than a film--it's an artistic manifesto, showcasing Rahman's continued defiance of convention. The fireside chat turned from personal to philosophical, as Rahman explored the urgent need to preserve traditional Indian music, asking: "Where is the next shehnai player? Where is the next Bismillah Khan Sahib? Unless we find them, recognize them, and let the world see them--they'll vanish. That's where the inspiration for JHAALA came in." JHAALA, Rahman's initiative to platform and preserve Indian classical arts, seeks to make the invisible visible--through technology, talent discovery, and global exposure. On artificial intelligence, Rahman struck a balanced note of caution and curiosity: "AI is like Frankenstein--it just steals from human experiences, human knowledge, human art, and then puts together multiple thoughts. It's copied from us. And now it gets faster, because we feel with emotion--and it just runs on data." "We should use it for what it is--for speeding up the mundane. Don't fear it, use it." Beyond technology, Rahman called for a national cultural renaissance: "If you look at South Korea and K-pop, it emerged in the last 10 years because of government involvement and economic growth. It was a collective movement. That needs to happen with Indian music too. We need to reinvent the wheel." Throughout the session, one sentiment rang clear: true art is unbound by formats, expectations, or institutions. "The most important thing about art is freedom," Rahman stated. "You can't do that with a film studio." He ended with a reminder of music's enduring universality: "Music transcends religion. It heals. It connects. It's a shared soul." IGF London 2025's closing conversations made one thing certain: in a world fractured by algorithms and agendas, it is artists like Rahman who restore harmony--not just in sound, but in society. The forum forms part of IGF London 2025. With over 100+ speakers, 1000 participants, and events across iconic venues in London, IGF London 2025 encompasses a spectrum of topics - from technology and trade to culture and commerce. This year's edition marks a powerful milestone - a decade since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's landmark 2015 visit to the UK, and the two nations have finalised the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement. IGF London is the first major international platform to celebrate and analyse this historic achievement, unlock new opportunities that emerge from its conclusion, and shape the next phase of UK-India collaboration. About India Global Forum India Global Forum tells the story of contemporary India. The pace of change and growth India has set itself is an opportunity for the world. IGF is the gateway for businesses and nations to help seize that opportunity. To know more, click here Social Media Handles & Hashtag to Follow Twitter: @IGFUpdates & @manojladwa LinkedIn: India Global Forum #IGFLondon Logo -
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
"The Most Important Thing About Art is Freedom," says AR Rahman at IGF London 2025
Oscar-winning composer on scent cinema, AI, and the reinvention of Indian music culture LONDON, June 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a deeply personal and expansive conversation at the final day of India Global Forum London 2025 at Taj St. James' Court, Academy Award-winning composer AR Rahman urged artists, institutions, and governments alike to nurture creative freedom and cultural innovation. "In cinema for over 40 years now, I was bored with the same rectangle form," Rahman confessed. "It's just seeing and hearing—what else can we do?" That question sparked Le Musk, Rahman's pioneering immersive project which brings scent, touch, and narrative together. "The idea came from my ex-wife who loved perfumes. I thought, why not create a theatre experience with perfume and haptics?" Now coming to London for a year, Le Musk is more than a film—it's an artistic manifesto, showcasing Rahman's continued defiance of convention. The fireside chat turned from personal to philosophical, as Rahman explored the urgent need to preserve traditional Indian music, asking: "Where is the next shehnai player? Where is the next Bismillah Khan Sahib? Unless we find them, recognize them, and let the world see them—they'll vanish. That's where the inspiration for JHAALA came in." JHAALA, Rahman's initiative to platform and preserve Indian classical arts, seeks to make the invisible visible—through technology, talent discovery, and global exposure. On artificial intelligence, Rahman struck a balanced note of caution and curiosity: "AI is like Frankenstein—it just steals from human experiences, human knowledge, human art, and then puts together multiple thoughts. It's copied from us. And now it gets faster, because we feel with emotion—and it just runs on data." "We should use it for what it is—for speeding up the mundane. Don't fear it, use it." Beyond technology, Rahman called for a national cultural renaissance: "If you look at South Korea and K-pop, it emerged in the last 10 years because of government involvement and economic growth. It was a collective movement. That needs to happen with Indian music too. We need to reinvent the wheel." Throughout the session, one sentiment rang clear: true art is unbound by formats, expectations, or institutions. "The most important thing about art is freedom," Rahman stated. "You can't do that with a film studio." He ended with a reminder of music's enduring universality: "Music transcends religion. It heals. It connects. It's a shared soul." IGF London 2025's closing conversations made one thing certain: in a world fractured by algorithms and agendas, it is artists like Rahman who restore harmony—not just in sound, but in society. The forum forms part of IGF London 2025. With over 100+ speakers, 1000 participants, and events across iconic venues in London, IGF London 2025 encompasses a spectrum of topics - from technology and trade to culture and commerce. This year's edition marks a powerful milestone - a decade since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's landmark 2015 visit to the UK, and the two nations have finalised the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement. IGF London is the first major international platform to celebrate and analyse this historic achievement, unlock new opportunities that emerge from its conclusion, and shape the next phase of UK-India collaboration. About India Global ForumIndia Global Forum tells the story of contemporary India. The pace of change and growth India has set itself is an opportunity for the world. IGF is the gateway for businesses and nations to help seize that opportunity. To know more, click here Social Media Handles & Hashtag to Follow Twitter: @IGFUpdates & @manojladwaLinkedIn: India Global Forum#IGFLondon Photo - - View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
News18
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
AR Rahman Receives Praise From Singapore President For Collaborating With Local Musicians
Last Updated: Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam praised AR Rahman for his contributions to the cultural scene and collaboration with local musicians. Singapore's President Tharman Shanmugaratnam has expressed deep appreciation for Oscar-winning Indian composer AR Rahman's continued collaboration with local musicians, calling it a meaningful contribution to the country's cultural scene. In a recent social media post shared on June 2, Tharman talked about how Rahman has uplifted Singapore's homegrown artists over the years. 'ARR has also done our own talent good over the years, by giving them valuable exposure," The Straits Times quoted him as saying. Referring to Singapore's diverse arts scene, the President noted, 'Our Indian music and cultural talent, from classical to the most contemporary and edgy, are naturally a minority in the local scene. But they make Singapore's multiculturalism all the more special." It was an honour meeting President @Tharman_S. My company, @ARRimmersive, looks forward to collaborating more with Singaporean artists on cutting-edge creative projects that push the boundaries of art and for the love at the Le Musk premiere. 🔗… — (@arrahman) June 3, 2025 Tharman named several Singaporean acts who have teamed up with the celebrated composer, including rapper-songwriter duo Lady Kash and Krissy, singer Shabir, and rapper Yung Raja. Notably, Rahman's 2014 film Highway featured the track Wanna Mash Up? in collaboration with Lady Kash and Krissy. The President also shared a personal touch, recalling Rahman's early ties with Singapore. Back in the 1980s, the composer made his first international trip to the city-state and bought his music gear from iconic local stores Swee Lee and City Music. 'Good to see that both local music stores are still going strong after all these years," Tharman added. Tharman also posted photographs from his meeting with the music maestro, who was in Singapore recently for the premiere of his directorial debut Le Musk — a 37-minute virtual reality film that blends scent, music, and immersive visuals. The film, which is showing at Golden Village Suntec City until August 12, features viewers sitting in specially designed egg-shaped chairs while wearing VR headsets and experiencing scents released during key moments. Rahman's bond with Singapore goes back decades. He has performed in the country multiple times, including concerts at Gardens by the Bay (2014), the Singapore Indoor Stadium (2005), Marina Bay Sands (2011), and most recently at the National Stadium in August 2024. First Published: June 04, 2025, 14:27 IST
