Academy winning maestro AR Rahman launched a single titled 'Infinite Love' after a gap of fifteen years. The music composer who has made his mark in Indian as well as international music industry, is experimenting with new sounds and expanding his music each day. Some of his remarkable achievements include two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe, four National Film Awards, fifteen Filmfare Awards and thirteen Filmfare Awards South. In 2009, Time placed Rahman in its list of World's Most Influential People.

Speaking with Radioandmusic.com, he expressed his ideas and experience about his single, KM Music Conservatory and classical music. A memory of Vande Mataram (!1997) was the last solo that was imprinted in the mind of Rahman fans but he is hoping borderless message given by 'Infinite Love' will all do the same.

Excerpts:

What was the idea behind ‘Infinite Love’?

Nothing was compelling enough for me. After Vande Mantram, which was a big canvas and larger than life, this is the only thing that beats it. It goes beyond border, both mental and physical once. I did not see anything so compatible. I didn’t even know about the music but the idea supersedes everything.

You have experimented with the song in terms of language and music?

My idea was to give a statement from India to the world especially in English. It’s time for us to give. I am aware that it’s a huge ego issue for people (other countries) to understand us. We have so much of wisdom and knowledge from centuries so why can’t we reveal and give to the world, all that we have. Why cannot we create options for our young creative leaders? The flag in the video is giving the message; I am giving a thought from India to the world and it’s not about myself it’s about our generation here. Putting seals in their mind, this is what we should do when we grow up giving to the world, giving to humanity.

What compelled you to work with lyricist Irshad Kamil for the Hindi version?

I was really comfortable working with Irshadji. He had written the hero Jingle, Rock star and it was very nice working with him.

Are there any plans of promoting the single?

I am thankful to god that this happened and even to Reliance foundation for their support.

I am planning of an extended play (EP) and also a remix of 'Infinite Love'. We wanted to release the song on 20 December because it was too timely with the conflicts and unforeseen happenings around the globe .

What are your plans of expansion for KM Music Conservatory?

Now, we are moving into a bigger campus five times of what we have, it’s a huge thing. Being emotionally attached and monitoring it personally is very exhausting for me, but it’s worth because kids are the future. We don't have musicians who play orchestral music as getting them in the conservatory is a task but as we move into the campus we will be able to do our full-fledged music. I see so much of brightness in the eyes of the kids that it has pushed me to far beyond and make KM really huge.

What do you think is limiting Indian classical music from becoming a part of Bollywood?

Classical music is a league of its own and I wish people expand it more. Earlier we had K Viswanath, R Balachandran and other amazing directors who made movies-based on carnatic music, to glorify them. Unfortunately, we don't have many of them left now. It’s the responsibility of the director or script writer to make a movie which is based on Indian music and attract the audience. We are somewhere rooted in our fantastic tradition that is such a gift to us. The situation with classical will change if we crack the code and give audiences the list of movies even if they don't like it. It’s the only way we can get the young generation aware.

Maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar had represented Indian Classical music around the world. How do you look at his loss?

It's a big loss. He was an amazing ambassador for sitar player and classical music. Off course, there is much new talent who are extra-ordinarily talented and they will take the matter going.

What are you future projects?

I am doing Anand Rai's 'Raanjhna', Mani Ratnam's forthcoming movie 'Kadal' and Imitiaz Ali's next movie. I have international project ‘Monkeys of Mumbai’ (Working Title) for DreamWorks Animation.