Renowned music composer AR Rahman was recently honored with the XTIC Award 2024 for Innovation by IIT Madras, in recognition of his groundbreaking work on the virtual reality film Le Musk. The accolade was presented by the eXperiential Technology Innovation Centre (XTIC), an institute dedicated to advancements in Virtual Reality and related technologies.
Expressing his gratitude upon receiving the award, Rahman reflected on the pride he felt in being recognized by an esteemed institution like IIT Madras. “I feel immensely proud to see an institution like IIT in Chennai that has paved the way for numerous success stories. I visited this campus when I was just 13. Le Musk was my attempt to explore global experiences right from India. I was honored in Hollywood, Los Angeles, but receiving this award in my hometown holds a special significance for me,” he shared.
The award was presented by Professor Steven LaValle and Professor Anna Lavalle, the co-inventors of Oculus and visiting faculty members at IIT Madras. This honor is a testament to Rahman’s exceptional contribution to immersive storytelling and technology.
In his acceptance speech, Rahman emphasized the importance of pushing boundaries in technological innovation. “Creating this film required specialized cameras and equipment. Whenever I visit tech giants like Microsoft or Intel, I wonder why India hasn’t yet produced a company like Apple or Nvidia. The government must take steps to foster such innovation. Personally, I’ve invested heavily in this passion project. I believe VR can be used for various applications, from temple visits to virtual weddings,” Rahman noted.
Earlier, Rahman launched the soundtrack for Le Musk, which features 12 unique compositions. The immersive film, which he directed, integrates music, scent, and visual storytelling to deliver a novel cinematic experience. According to Rahman, “Music is the essence of Le Musk, guiding audiences through an emotional, sensory journey. This project involved a lot of dedication, as we sought to leverage technology to create a truly immersive narrative.”
The soundtrack, a fusion of jazz, orchestral, and eclectic elements with Rahman's signature soulful touch, features collaborations with renowned artists such as Nora Arnezeder, Sana Moussa, Linda Lind, Mayssa Karaa, Hiral Viradia, and Simona Gilbert. It also includes performances by the Firdaus Orchestra and the Budapest Orchestra, with music engineering by the award-winning Greg Penny.
On the global showcase of Le Musk, Rahman expressed plans to establish immersive experience studios worldwide to bring the film to a broader audience. Reflecting on the journey, he credited his team for their relentless efforts in pushing the limits of what’s possible in immersive filmmaking. The soundtrack was launched globally through Believe Music.
