/> It looks like Bollywood's loss would be the Western world's gain. A R Rahman is deliberately turning down big Bollywood assignments because of copyright and royalty issues regarding music sales.

The reticent retainer of the raga and the rhythm, Rahman is reluctant to talk about the issue. "It's too complicated.

But yes, the issue of publishing rights does stop me from accepting more Bollywood offers. Those who want to work with me in Mumbai are agreeable to my terms and conditions. Those who do but won't agree to my conditions are going to other composers.

At the moment I've also cut down my film assignments because I want to focus on my western-classic music conservatory which I want to create in India.

With this convervatory I hope to bridge the gap between Western classical and Indian ragas. Imagine a thumri being played by an orchestra! Or a Caranatic raga being a part of a big Hollywood epic."

The musical visionary admits he's slowing down his foray into Bollywood.

"I can't be doing just films films films all my life. I need to take my music to another level now. But whenever I work in Mumbai I give my fullest concentration, as I did for Ashutosh Gowariker's Jodhaa-Akbar which I'm very proud of.

The music takes both Ashutosh and me to another level."

However the international assignments are getting more prominent in Rahman's career.

"I enjoyed doing Shekhar Kapoor's Elizabeth The Golden Age. Now my music for the stage adaptation of The Lord Of The Rings is ready.

Since it required more finances than I could afford a private aurline (Jet Airways) is sponsoring it. The album is being released in February."

Rahman sees this album as his big international leap. "Every song has a minimum of 200 musicians and technicians involved in it. Huge choirs and orchestras were brought into play.

We recorded the album in London and mixed it right here in Chennai in my studios. The whole crew came down from all over the world."

All the songs are in English and in Elvish...the language of the Lord Of The Rings. "I had lots of help from fellow-musicians like Christopher Nightingale. It took me three years to do the album. Without help from like-minded musicians it'd have taken five years."

Looking back Rahman is not the least content with his achievements.

"No matter how much you do it's never enough. Music is my only therapy. There're so many awful things happening in the world. I wish I could heal the world. All I can do is use my music which I do.

My peace anthems like Vande Mataram and Pray For Me,Brother are a small candle-light in the storm. But you never know which candle will light a thousand other candles."