Yamaha Music India Appoints World-Renowned Composer A.R. Rahman as Brand Ambassador

The partnership aims to extend the reach of music and support India’s next generation of musicians.

Hamamatsu, Japan ― Yamaha Corporation announced that its production and sales subsidiary, Yamaha Music India Pvt. Ltd., has entered into a Brand Ambassador agreement with A.R. Rahman ― the Academy Award-winning composer and one of India’s most influential musical figures. The collaboration will help carry India’s rich musical heritage forward to the next generation while extending the reach of music for people from all backgrounds.

Widely recognized for expanding the global presence of Indian music and internationally known for works exemplified by his scores for Slumdog Millionaire, A.R. Rahman has also long supported music education in underserved communities and shares Yamaha’s commitment to broadening access to music and nurturing emerging talent. His decades-long artistic journey and social impact align closely with Yamaha’s vision of creating a future where individuality shines through the power of sound and music. The collaboration also reflects Yamaha Music India’s long-term commitment to strengthening India’s music ecosystem.

“Yamaha has always represented precision and reliability, and I am honored to collaborate with a brand whose legacy is rooted in musical excellence,” said A.R. Rahman. “My musical journey began in India and evolved across global stages. If we mentor young artists and strengthen music education, Indian music can lead on the global stage, while ensuring the Indian audience has access to globally produced Yamaha instruments as well.”

Over the course of the two year collaboration, activities will include co-creating brand content that communicates the value of musical experience, A.R. Rahman’s appearances at Yamaha Music India events, and music initiatives in collaboration with the KM Music Conservatory (KMMC), the institution founded and led by A.R. Rahman in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

India ― home to a population of approximately 1.4 billion ― remains one of the world’s most significant music markets and a priority market under Yamaha’s three-year “Rebuild & Evolve” management plan through March 2028. Since establishing a manufacturing facility in Chennai in 2019, Yamaha Music India has continued to enhance local production, expand its sales network and brand experience touchpoints, and deepen institutional partnerships ― building a foundation that delivers Yamaha musical instruments and audio products in line with local culture and needs.

“Music remains central to Yamaha’s philosophy, and our medium- to long-term vision is to create a future where individuality shines through the power of sound and music,” said Taketoshi Yamamoto, Managing Director of Yamaha Music India. “India’s musical heritage continues to inspire us. Our collaboration with A.R. Rahman will help expand structured music education and encourage the next generation of musicians, while reinforcing our goal of making music accessible to every aspiring artist.”

A.R. Rahman is a composer, keyboardist, singer and educator from Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He established an international reputation in film music, earning numerous accolades from the Academy Awards (2009, Best Original Score and Best Original Song) for Slumdog Millionaire, the Golden Globe Awards (2009, Best Original Score), the BAFTA Film Awards (2009, Anthony Asquith Award for Original Film Music), and the Grammy Awards (2010, Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media). He founded the A.R. Rahman Foundation in 2006 and operates the Sunshine Orchestra, which provides free orchestral training to underprivileged children. In 2008, he established the KM Music Conservatory in Chennai, offering internationally aligned programs across Hindustani music, Western classical music, and music technology. He was named to TIME magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in 2009.

Official website
https://www.arrahman.com/

To learn more about Yamaha Music India, visit: https://in.yamaha.com/.