During his latest Toronto tour, A.R. Rahman spoke about a group of young musicians from Chennai who arrived in Toronto for an international cultural and music exchange program, supported by the Glenn Gold Foundation and the Government of Canada.
“They brought our kids all the way from Chennai to Canada. We’re proud of our kids, and this experience is going to inspire them to become better musicians,” Rahman said.
He added that the children had the opportunity to interact with musicians from other countries, exchanging ideas and cultures, which he believes will have a lasting impact on their musical growth. “We hope that many other countries will adopt similar exchange programs, like the one Canada and the Glenn Gold Foundation have organized,” he remarked.
Rahman also highlighted that the students will premiere JALA abroad for the first time. “JALA is a 12-member band with six men and six women. It’s a unique raga-based classical band combining live music and dance. And then I have my Sufi concert as well, showcasing the rich diversity of Indian music,” he explained.
He praised the initiative for promoting cross-cultural understanding and inspiring young musicians to pursue excellence in their art, calling it a transformative experience for all involved.
