The interview which appears below, was originally aired on Rahmania - Aaha FM in June 2008. Interview excerpt is written by V.R. Vithur from the A.R. Rahman Yahoo Fans Group. ©The rights to this material are reserved to the owner. If you have any concerns or comments, please send an email to info@rahmaniac.com.
T. Selvakumar, founder of Audio Media and a key figure in music production and education, shares his story of innovation and collaboration. With a degree in music and experience in playing a variety of instruments, Selvakumar has established himself as a pioneer in the Indian music industry.
My name is T. Selvakumar. I have a company called Audio Media, where we provide training on Apple software for video editing and music production. We specialize in Final Edit Pro for video editing and Shake for visual effects.
I have been running a music recording studio since 1993. I earned a degree in music from Madurai, where I studied B.A. in Music and learned to play the Veena. I have also played the guitar, mandolin, and many other instruments. After completing my degree, I pursued a diploma at Adyar Music College. Although I initially focused on the Veena, my ultimate goal was to break into the film industry and start playing music professionally.
During my studies, I ordered a MIDI guitar but received a rhythm box instead—specifically, a Yamaha RX7 model. I started playing the rhythm box for various music directors, beginning with Mr. Rajamani and then Johnson. This led to playing for Raj-Koti, where I met A.R. Rahman, who was playing the keyboard there at the time. Rahman recommended me to Koti for sequencing, and I worked with Koti for about two years, with “Hello Brother” being the last film we did together.
In 1992, I started my own studio, which eventually expanded into four studios. I also produced music albums for HMV, including “Ulavum Thendral” CDs. I then ventured into product distribution, supplying musical instruments and equipment to Rahman and other music directors. I became the first distributor of Nuendo software in India and developed an association with Apple, which led to a close relationship with Rahman, as he is passionate about Apple products.
I regularly attend trade shows worldwide to stay updated on Apple’s latest products. I often bring new technology to Rahman, acting as his “candy man” for tech-related items.
Our music school aims to be of international standards. We are not driven by profit but by the desire to provide unparalleled music education in India. There is a lack of teachers for Western instruments like the French horn and oboe in India, so we plan to bring in teachers from Europe and the US. They will handle the music part, while Audio Media will cover the technology aspect. Our goal is to create well-rounded musicians.
For voice techniques, we have Maxsmith from Cincinnati, USA, who will teach opera and voice technique. For Carnatic music, we have eminent teachers from Chennai. For Hindustani music, we plan to bring in Ghulam Ali Mustapha as a guest faculty member. We also have piano and violin faculty from Italy, Holland, and the Royal College of Music. All our teachers are highly qualified and passionate about teaching.
Our courses include a preparatory program for those starting their musical journey and a professional course comprising a foundation followed by a degree. The professional course is rigorous, requiring students to practice for 6-7 hours daily in college and an additional 8 hours on their own. Consistency is key to success.
For example, a vocal student will receive classes in vocals, Hindustani repertoire, and compulsory piano lessons. We emphasize Western classical theory, essential for high-end composing. Our graduates will be proficient sound engineers, arrangers, composers, and sequencers in Logic, capable of producing their own albums.
We also offer a communicative English course to help musicians present themselves confidently on stage. Our program is set to be affiliated with Madras University, and a minimum qualification of Plus Two is required for admission. All our faculty members are foreigners, so proficiency in English is essential.
Vision for the School: We aim to elevate music education to an international level. Our graduates should be able to pursue postgraduate programs at other conservatories without hesitation. Our standard will be compatible with any orchestra. We are starting with a graduate program and plan to introduce postgraduate and doctoral degrees. We envision exchange programs with European conservatories, where students can learn Indian music. Our bigger school, opening next year, will have various departments, including ethnomusicology.
If someone wants to learn just one instrument, they can join our preparatory program, which includes theory lessons.
Favorite Song of A.R. Rahman: Every song by Rahman is a favorite, but “Veerapandi Kottayile” stands out. I also love all the songs from “Thiruda Thiruda” because Rahman sequenced them himself, showcasing his incredible underlying work.
