A.R. Rahman Pushes for Indian Classical Arts Revival

A.R. Rahman Calls for a National Endowment to Revive Indian Classical Arts

At the 99th Annual Conference of The Music Academy in Madras, composer A.R. Rahman urged greater support for Indian classical arts. He called on wealthy Indian Americans and cultural leaders to back a new initiative: a National Endowment for Indian Arts. The goal is to protect and promote India's heritage on a global scale.

Rahman's speech highlighted the need to move beyond mere preservation. Instead, he pushed for a more dynamic approach to positioning Indian classical music and dance for modern audiences.

Rahman began by acknowledging the deep sophistication of Indian classical arts. Centuries of philosophy, discipline, and practice have shaped them into refined traditions. Yet he warned that without evolution in presentation, these art forms risk becoming insular.

A key challenge is reaching younger and global audiences. Many emerging artists are already blending innovation with classical rigor, using technology to expand their reach. But Rahman stressed that individual efforts are not enough. A *coherent ecosystem* is required—one that includes strong presentation, clear narrative framing, strategic marketing, and well-chosen venues. He pointed to successful models, like the UTSAV Festival at Washington's Kennedy Center, where Indian classical arts were showcased with global visibility. Closer to home, he cited Nita and Mukesh Ambani's world-class venue in Mumbai as an example. Chennai, he suggested, needs a similar cultural epicentre to elevate its artistic standing. Rahman also noted a gap in financial support. While Indian Americans possess significant economic capacity, they have historically invested less in classical arts than other high-income groups in the U.S. To change this, he called for collaboration between public institutions, private patrons, and younger artists. Only then, he argued, can the depth of these traditions match their global ambitions.

The proposal for a National Endowment for Indian Arts aims to create lasting infrastructure for India's cultural heritage. Rahman's call to action targets both funding and innovation, ensuring these art forms remain vibrant and accessible.

The success of such an initiative would depend on unified efforts. Institutions, artists, and donors must work together to build a system that honours tradition while embracing the future.