Composer AR Rahman will bring his artistry to the inaugural world congress dedicated to exploring music’s power to create social change, The Glenn Gould Foundation announced recently. The landmark gathering takes place this October in Toronto, uniting artists, visionaries, and cultural leaders from across the globe.

On October 10, Rahman will perform with his Sufi band, offering audiences a musical journey rooted in spirituality and innovation, as per a press release. He will also present ‘Jhalaa’, India’s first raga based contemporary music collective, following its debut earlier this year at the Waves Summit in Mumbai. ‘Jhalaa’ formed under the aegis of the Bharat Maestro awards was created to celebrate the young virtuosos of Indian classical music and consists of 6 young male and 6 young female musicians trained in Indian classical music and instruments. 

The celebrations begin on October 9, when the Sunshine Orchestra, a youth ensemble from Rahman’s KM Music Conservatory in Chennai will take the stage for their Canadian debut. The orchestra comprises of students from underserved sectors of society.

Speaking about the event Rahman said in a statement, “In challenging times like these, the joy and talent of children and music bring back our faith in art, humanity, and friendship. Art and Music belong to everyone; they come with no borders or rules. They heal, they inspire, and they remind us of all that we share. So, when we share our gifts, the happiness we feel is often greater than the joy of those who receive them. With The Promise of Music, we hope to show that music is more than performance. It is a bridge that brings people together and creates hope for a brighter tomorrow.”

The Promise of Music - A Glenn Gould Foundation project will take place in Toronto, Canada from October 6 - 10 and convenes the world’s most inspiring artists, performers and changemakers for five transformative days of concerts, public forums, special events and bold new ideas.