Learning Hindustani Classical Music! A Unique Blend of Gurukula and University

Chinmaya Naada Bindu Gurukula at Kolwan, Pune has started a Master’s Programmes (MA) in Hindustani Vocal, Bansuri and Tabla streams. Renowned artists, Vid. Manjusha Patil, Pt. Rupak Kulkarni and Pt. Abhijit Banerjee, respectively are set to spend good time in nurturing the students in Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth (CVV), a Deemed to be University under the ‘De Novo’ status. A unique blend of Gurukula and University learning will be used to train students, and CVV is perhaps the only University to do so in the world, the statement in relation read.

 

 

While there are many Gurukulas even today, students do not have the option of getting a ‘Degree Certificate’, due to which they do not see their career path growing. On the other hand, a University provides a Degree certificate, however, no performers come out of this system, unless they are trained separately. The endeavour at Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth is to remove the drawbacks and adopt the advantages of both the systems, benefiting students as well as the music world.

 

 

This MA Music programme is the Gurukula pattern of learning as Music a ‘Gurumukhi vidya’ is to be learnt only by sitting in front of the teacher. "By staying in Guru's company, the student picks up a lot more than is taught. This traditional system is proven to be effective over a period of time", it added.

 

"Students are well-versed in theory, but most are unable to shine as performers. At Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth, along with the theoretical knowledge, students are given umpteen opportunities to perform, allowing their confidence and skill to grow. Like other Universities, CVV has well-qualified faculty, but alongside, there are also successful and renowned performing artists who mentor the students in the nuances of this art. For Bansuri, we have the disciple of Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia - Pt. Rupak Kulkarni; for Tabla, disciple of Pt. Jnanprakash Ghosh – Pt. Abhijit Banerjee and for Hindustani vocal, disciple of late Pt. D V Kane and Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar – Vidushi Manjusha Patil, all well-known and renowned in the international music circuit. Under the mentorship of such Gurus, students would most certainly grow as artists"

 

 

The Chinmaya Naada Bindu Gurukula campus provides a quiet and conducive environment for the learning and practice of music. About 40 km from Pune, the Gurukula is nestled in Chinmaya Vibhooti (the vision centre of Chinmaya Mission) campus, Kolwan, and is surrounded by Sahyadri hills on all sides. The spiritual ambience provided by the Ashram, with the Pranav Ganesh and Chinmaya Maruti temples, a monumental walk-through multimedia exhibition on Swami Chinmayanandaji’s life, works and teachings, and the Swanubhooti Vatika for self-exploration provide the much-needed impetus for the growth of a musician. All these help in focused study, contemplation, and practice.

 

 

The MA Music programme is a 2 year programme split into four semesters. Experienced theoreticians and performers have come together to draw up the syllabus, giving appropriate weightage to both theory and practice and combining the specialities of the Gurukula and a University. A minimum of four hours are spent by the students daily with the teachers for practical training, followed by theory classes. Alongside music, the other subjects included are Sanskrit and Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS). The speciality of this University is to bring to light traditional knowledge of India that has invariably touched almost all modern subjects under the sky. Applying such knowledge in today’s world is one of the highlights of Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth. Students are given multiple performance opportunities, helping them to hone their skills as well as raise their self-confidence. Another speciality is that students get to opt for Elective courses other than their chosen stream of specialization. They are also given exposure to Yoga and spiritual discourses, helping them with a rounded growth of personality.

 

 

With such a wide spectrum of learning, students would find it simpler to take to the performing arts and build up their career. Some might be interested in teaching, and such students would make understanding and sympathetic teachers. The degree earned by them can also be used for jobs as music lecturers in schools or colleges. Some others may decide to pursue higher education, a Ph.D., and some others may take to music journalism, music direction, sound production, and some may become adept accompanists. Thus, this programme makes students fully equipped for either taking up a job or standing out as performers, the statement signed off.

 

 

Admissions are open for musically inclined students with a Bachelor’s degree in any field. Certificates in music from institutions like Gandharva Mahavidyalaya etc. are recognized, however, graduates in music will be preferred. Admissions will be based on a final audition.

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