Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music (SAM), under the aegis of internationally renowned guitarist / composer Prasannaas its President, is the first ever professional college of music in India to offer a range of programs in contemporary music that includes Rock, Jazz, Classical and World music. With Voice, Guitar, Piano, Bass, Drums and Indian Percussion performance as its focus, SAM has initiated to organize a five day music performance workshop from December 4 – 8 2010.
Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music has a world class international faculty and top of the line facilities comparable to the best in the world. SAM is fully residential facility set in a sprawling 4 acre campus in lush green surroundings at MARGSwarnabhoomi, about 75 km from Chennai, 60 km from Pondicherry and 38 kilometers from Mahabalipuram.
COME AND LIVE YOUR DREAMS at the Five day music performance workshop
Stay connected to us for more info on faculty for the workshop, fees, Facilities and other nitty-gritty details
The TEDx Chennai was organized at IC&SR Auditorium, IIT Madras, Chennai. Guitarist Prasanna was the second speaker of the event. Mr. Kiruba Shankar the curator of TEDx Chennai gave a short introduction about the guitarist Mr. Prasanna and then invited to deliver a speech. Guitarist Prasanna thanked Kiruba Shankar for the invitation and said he was really excited on seeing the speakers of TEDx Chennai.
The world renowned celebrity as he walked to the stage looked very calm and Professionalist. But the reason for the calmness was not only because of his traits, but also because of his dedicated assignments on ‘Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music’. During his speech he expressed about the sleepless assignments with SAM faculties and students. He had slept only after 5.00 a.m. for the past three weeks. Speaking on TEDx Chennai he told that he was invited to TED events. As he stood on the stage and delivered the speech he recalled the days when he studied at IIT, Chennai in the year 1992.
Prasanna appreciated the theme for the event ‘Do’ and stressed on the importance of using active verbs in conversations. He cited the non English speaking countries approach of speaking. Best explanation for complex things can be given only in simple words. It took months for him to select the title to his album ‘Be The Change’. So that everyone would admire and appreciate the albums simplicity and its title. Prasanna believes in Mahathma’s words but also took the essence for naming his album “You must be the change you wish to see in this world”.
Music College Turned Realistic – SAM
When he came across the idea of starting a Music college in India, there were so many oppositions from within his own mind. He had other questions like what kind of music to be taught, whom to be targeted, etc. He decided to share the idea with Mr. GRK Reddy, promoter of MARG group, five hour discussion. Mr Reddy and was very receptive to his Music Academy Idea and turned into a reality.
Excerpts from Prasanna speech
If you are a musician, don’t just be a musician.
Your first primal function is to enrich the humanity.
All of us have our own way of leaving a legacy behind.
Build a community around ourselves.
Think, share and realize.
The entire event was streamed live on www.tedxchennai.com and was also live updated on Facebook, twitter and blog posts.
Guitarist Prasanna’s solo number with his guitar enthralled the TEDx Chennai Audience.
Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music ( SAM ) is all set to present a grand musical evening to support a social cause “SAM Fund Raising Concert”. Live in your dreams for a public concert on Thursday, September 30th, 2010 between 07.30 pm. onwards. The venue of the concert is ‘Museum Theatre’, Egmore.
Ways To Buy Show Tickets
The entry to the concert is available under admission categories Rs. 1000, 500, and 250. Tickets are available at landmark and fruit shop outlets.
Guitarist Prasanna taking the lead for a concert with SAM faculty from USA, Canada, Switzerland and India. Vocals by Sarah Jerrom, Keyboards by Manu Koch, Bass by Steve Jenkins, Drums by David Anderson & Jovol Bam Bam Bell, Ghatam by Dr. S Karthick.
It is also likely that the students of SAM ensemble would also perform
In 1992, after graduating in Naval Architecture from Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai he took up software engineering position in Complete Business Solutions, India. In 1993 he quit this job to go to the Berklee College of Music.
Prasanna with his Instrument as a Guitarist
Performed / recorded with Joe Lovano, A.R. Rahman, Victor Wooten, Omar Hakim, Hariprasad Chaurasia, Trilok Gurtu, Anthony Jackson, Vijay Iyer, Dave Douglas, Steve Smith, Larry Coryell, Aka Moon, Alphonsa, Ralph Humphery, Rudresh Mahanthappa and others.
Performances at North Sea Jazz Festival in Netherlands, Java Jazz festival in Indonesia, Festival Guitares Du Monde, Festival Jazz en Artois in France, Middle Jazz Festival in Belgium, panafest in Ghana, Chicago Jazz Festival, Chicago World Music Festival, Madison World Music Festival in USA and others.
Performances at Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, Symphony Space in New York, Theatre Lieu Unique in nantes, Charlie Davis, Concert Hall in Fairbanks, Alaska, Seymour Center in Sydney, Museum KunstPalast in Dusseldorf, Bimhuis in Amstredem, The Jazz standard in New York, Yardbird Suite in Edmonton, Jumo Jazz in Helsinki, Scullers in Boston and others.
Prasanna – a Composer / Arranger
Original score for 2009 academy winning documentary ‘Smile Pinki’ Watch Video
Original score for English feature film ‘Framed’ Watch Video
Orginal score for contemporary dance theater productions such as ‘The Tempest’ in Australia, ‘Sanaatana’ in England, ‘A story and a song’ in USA, ‘Soliloquy’ in India and others.
Numerous original compositions in contemporary Jazz and classical Music
Prasanna’s Contribution to Indian Film Music
The first filmy music that he played is for the song “July Matham” (Tamil) from the movie Puthiya Mugam. Prasanna is best known for the string orchestra for the title score of 2002 academy award nominated film Lagaan in alliance with A.R. Rahman. He also gained contacts with several Indian cinema composers, including Ilayaraaja.
Prasanna – as an Educator
Faculty at Banff center for the arts jazz summer program 2008
Guest lectures at berklee college of music, MIT, Harvard University, Arizona State University, Utah State University and others.
Clinics lectures at Berklee College of Music, Java Jazz Festival, Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music, The British Council, The Madras Music Academy and others.
