Lucknow, (IANS) One of the prestigious destinations for learning Hindustani classical music, the Bhatkhande Music Institute University, in this state capital will now also impart training in Western classical music, officials said.
The varsity administration has decided to launch courses in Western music, especially instrumental, from the next admission session.

“The move would immensely help those students who want to build a career in Western music outside India. We must not forget that Western music has a lot to teach us,” varsity Vice Chancellor and well-known Hindustani classical exponent Shruti Sadolikar Katkar told IANS.

“We believe the step to impart training in Western music would get a great response from various parts of the globe, and the varsity will succeed in its motto to strengthen music education,” she added.

According to officials, the varsity will initially train students to play different types of Western musical instruments like the piano and others coming under the brass and the strings category.

Later, depending upon the feedback from students, the varsity will expand the domain of training. In a few months, the varsity will make appointments of faculty members to train students in Western music.

In 1926, Pt.Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande established a music school in Lucknow with the help and co-operation of Rai Umanath Bali and Rai Rajeshwar Bali and other music patrons and connoisseurs of Lucknow.

The institution was inaugrated by the then Governor of Awadh Sir William Marris and was named after him as ‘Marris College of Music’. On March 26, 1966, the Uttar Pradesh goverment brought the college under its control and renamed it after its founder as Bhatkhande College of Hindustani Music.

At the request of the state government, the central government by a notification on Oct 24, 2000, declared the institute a university.

Students not only from India, but also from Sri Lanka, Nepal, central and east Asian countries study in the varsity on (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) ICCR scholarships.

The music study subjects are grouped into four : Vocal, Melody, Instrumental and Dance. These are spread into Classical, Semi-Classical and Light Vocal (Gayan), Swaravadya and Talavadya in Instrumental (Vadan) and Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Manipuri and Folk in Dance (Nritya) departments.

-- IANS