Gateway to fine art schools and colleges

Updated on: Wednesday, January 18, 2012

If you posses a good voice and interest in music, there are several institutions that offer systematic approach towards music these days and thereby facilitating to become full-fledged musicians.

Few hundred years back, those who were willing to learn traditional music stayed with their 'guru' and learned it through 'Gurugulam'. But, today, it is possible to learn music in schools and colleges.

It may seem amazing, but it is true. Today, it is possible study music in a college as UG and PG studies with specially designed curriculum.

Carnatic music is taught in educational centers. To add on, both, vocal and instruments are being taught in these centers. Some centers teach BharataNatyam too. Furthermore, music teacher training is also provided in some centres. Above all, today, it has become possible to learn BharataNatyam and music through distance education (correspondence).

These days, learning vocal is not merely for singing. Through learning vocals as the voice gets fine-tuned they take up work at radio station as jockeys and host television shows and comphere functions.

In the most modern institutions, students skills in the art forms like BharataNatyam, Carnatic music and others are tested and recognized at three levels such as Certificate, Diploma and Degrees.

With the help of these studies, it is possible work as music teachers in schools. Those having completed Ph.D in music are eligible to work in colleges and universities. They have new types of jobs in the offing in media.

Universities:

As for as universities are concerned, Madras University, Annamalai University, Tamil University, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Bharathidasan University and Annai Teresa University offer UG studies in music.

Bharathidasan University in Puducherry provides music studies at UG, PG, M.Phil and at PhD level. Music is taught in many colleges under this university.

Government Music Colleges :

Government music colleges are functioning in cities like Chennai, Madurai, Thiruvaiyaru and Kovai. Government music colleges in Tamil function under the Department of Art and Culture. Apart from teaching “ Devaram”, they also teach Carnatic music.

Along with this, they also teach various musical instruments like Violin, Veena, Miruthangam, Gadum, Nadhasvaram, Thavil and BharataNatyam. Besides this, they also teach folk music and folk dance.
Here, studies are provided in the form of Certificate and Diploma studies.

Now, Government Music College at Thiruvaiyaru provides UG Prorammes in music.

District Music schools:

TN Government runs music schools in 22 Districts.

These are fulltime schools that offer training in Nadhasvaram, Thavil, Bharatha Natyam, Vocals, Veena, Violin, Mirudangam and Flute. In addition to these, they also provide training in Devaram.

On successful completion certificates are provided for these courses that are of 3 year duration.

Evening training centers:

Two-year courses are provided at the Government music college in Chennai and Madurai. Vocals, Veena, Violin and Mirudangam are taught here. Bharata Natyam is taught at the Madurai Centre.

Music teacher training:

Training for music teachers are also provided at the Government Music colleges. Duration of these courses is of 1 year. At the end of 1 year training a diploma is provided. This course is very useful to work as music teachers in schools.

Both male and female can take up this training programme for music teachers at District Music Schools and Government Music Colleges.

Tamil Music College:

Tamil Isai Sangam at Madras was founded by Dr. Rajah Sir. Annamalai Chettiar, with the motto to foster Tamil music and its allied arts.

Tamil Music College is approved by Govt. of Tamil Nadu and patronised by - Tamil Isai Sangam - Chennai.

Here, both, regular and evening classes are available teaching Thevaram and other Tamil compositions besides Violin,Veena and Mirudangam. It teaches at both certificate and diploma level. Its curriculum is framed in accordance to the department of arts and culture.

Under Graduate studies in music are carried out under the regulation of Madras University. Madras University offers degrees to those pursuing UG studies in music here at Tamil Music College.

Apart from this special training is provided for both male female those aspiring to be music teachers.

Kalakshetra:

Kalakshethra is world famous center for fine arts in Chennai. It offers Diploma in dance, vocals, instruments and fine arts. It also offers Post Diploma in Dance and instruments

A vital centre of training and performance, the institution has produced and molded generations of acclaimed artists in a distinctive style. Since its establishment in the early 20th century, Kalakshetra has had stalwart musicians and dancers on its faculty list. It provides a holistic education in arts amidst a serene and inspiring natural environment cultivating a spirit of reverence. Some of India's most revered artistes are among its alumni.

Kalakshetra focuses on Bharata Natyam, carnatic vocal and instrumental music, the visual arts, traditional crafts and textile design, textual heritage, aesthetics, history and philosophy.

Dr.MGR-Janaki College:

Dr.MGR-Janaki College was founded in the year 1996 under the aegis of Mrs. Janaki Ramachandran, who wished to start a college to pay a tribute to her late husband Dr. M.G. Ramachandran, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

It offers a specialized course termed Natya.

The course on Natya is a unique opportunity for those who wish to study the art form of Music, Dance & Theatre in a very methodical way. An in depth theoretical study supported by practical sessions gives the students knowledge, wisdom and skill. Experts in the field handle the syllabus and practical training programs.

The course can be pursued as either a UG course or an integrated course for five years (The last two years being M.A. in Natya). Learning about the history and traditions of this art form and rigorous training by experts gives the students an edge over others.

Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College:

Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College, an autonomous college affiliated to Bharathidasan University is a renowned womens institution in Tiruchirappalli. At the time when educating women was not much favored in the society, the founder established the institution with the noble purpose of educating the women folk.

Here, at this college, music studies in UG, PG and at the Research level are provided.

SASTRA:

SASTRA is located on the Thanjavur-Tiruchirapalli highway at a distance of 17 km from Thanjavur and 40 km from Tiruchirapalli.

This college offers Bharata Natyam at UG and PG levels through distance education mode. Regular classes are offered by the famous Bharata Natyam Artist, Padma Subramaniam .

Kalai Kaviri College of Fine Arts:

This premier institution Kalai Kaviri College of Fine Arts, Tiruchirappalli, Tamilnadu, India, hails from her parent institution Kalai Kaviri. It aims in promoting fine arts, realizing academic excellence for Indian traditional ‘Gurukula art forms to the level of Ph.D. programme.

Kalai Kaviri College of Fine Arts, functions under Bhrathidasan University providin

Gateway to fine art schools and colleges

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