Dear rasikas,
1. I started a petition http://bit.ly/CMusicinSchools on 2 July 2015 suggesting to the HRD Minister to make classical music basics compulsory in schools.
2. See http://www.rasikas.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=25687 - we have had some wonderful discussions here on it.
3. 669 people signed this petition already!!!
4. There is a detailed article by Anil Srinivasan, the well-known musician and innovator in scroll.in. He begins by stating several risks and difficulties in mandating something like classical music in an overburdened and poorly managed school system of our country, but then gives some wonderful examples of how music has worked wonders in schools!
Links
https://youtu.be/vOvb1cGs0mU A school called Gandhi Ashram in Kalimpong teaches western classical music to underprivileged kids!
https://youtu.be/FxE1qdw-piU A school in Madras where children sing the famous Lalgudi Desh tillana!
Now here is ANOTHER example of classical music teaching doing wonders in a regular school - The Shankar Mahadevan Academy in a Bangalore school
https://youtu.be/wr-4vgsegg0
The most impressive part of Anil Srinivasan's article, for me, is quoted below:
I thank Anil Srinivasan to have added the weight of his consideration and expression to a cause which has found so much resonance in so many people. Some 12.4k people have seen Anil's article in the past 18 hours. I am happy he does not argue against teaching music. He is concerned about the "burden" and Ïneffectuality" of any compulsion. But as I have stated in the petition, the idea is not jingoism or for a draconian imposition but for the government working towards providing exposure to our classical musical traditions in an innovative and fun way in ALL schools.No one questions the need to take tremendous pride in our culture and in our traditions. And yes, there is much more to be done. However, it is important that we look at what we already have put in place, and help that process, rather than impose demands on it that are sometimes less practical than they sound. Further, asking for interventions from ruling parties and their agendas certainly tolls a rather dangerous bell.
Whatever these deliberations will entail, one must keep in mind the need for teacher training and constant re-skilling, an activity that is arduous and requires tremendous thought and enlightened policymaking. Jingoism and social media warmongering may not be entirely fair or appropriate as there is so much at stake. And keeping in mind, always, that it is our children who stand to lose, and who have everything to gain, by the decisions we force upon them.
Creativity cannot be so easily defined. And neither can the love of music be fostered by it becoming yet another mandatory examination requirement.
It is precisely subject experts with competence and concern who can effectively take forward such a profound idea of teaching music in ALL schools.
India is not known yet for innovation in teaching, or preservation of classical arts with government intervention, or a widespread cultural movement. There are obviously risks and difficulties, dangers and doubts, but there are also aspirations and dreams. Let us see how this movement takes off!!!
