The Hindu : New Delhi News : Music enhances productivity: Kalam

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Oct 28, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Music enhances productivity: Kalam

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, OCT. 27. To enable development of a student's holistic personality and to help reduce stress in today's career-oriented education system, the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, today urged the Government to consider making music and dance a part of the regular school curriculum. This could also "enhance the productivity and performance of students in other career tasks", he added.

Addressing the gathering at Vigyan Bhavan here yesterday after conferring the Sangeet Natak Akademi awards on 33 eminent artistes from the field of music, dance and theatre, Dr. Kalam made the proposal as part of five suggestions made by him in his speech to the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Apart from introduction of arts in schools, the President also suggested that the Sangeet Natak Akademi carry out a survey of all traditional forms of music and dance across the country that currently face the threat of damage or loss so that appropriate and timely action can be provided by the Government to help save these arts from vanishing.

He also urged the Akademi to conduct a meet of musicians such as M.S. Subbulakshmi, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Pandit Birju Maharaj, Janab Ibrahim Elkazi and Yamini Krishnamurty to celebrate their contribution to the country's cultural heritage.

"In this meet, the disciples of these luminaries can perform and communicate their learning experiences with these artists which can become the source of inspiration for the future generations to adopt. You may also consider instituting young artist's awards for motivating young talents towards classical art forms," the President said.

Dr. Kalam suggested that the electronic media capture the best part of every artiste's performance and propagate it for inspiring the country's young.

Among the awardees this evening was renowned dance critic P.V. Subramaniam - better known as "Subbudu" -- who was presented a scholarship for his contribution in promoting performing arts.

Other award winners included theatre personality Arun Sarma, Hindustani vocal music exponent Ghulam Mustafa Waris Khan, Kathak dancer Urmila Nagar, and Kathakali dancer Sadanam P.V. Balakrishnan.

Also awarded for their contribution in Carnatic vocal music were Trichur Vaidyanatha Ramachandran and Mandayam Annadorai Narasimhachar, while Avasarala Kanyakumari was presented the award for Carnatic instrumental.

Dancer Kalavati Devi received the award for her expertise in Manipuri, while K. Uma Rama Rao for Kuchipudi.

Carrying a prize money of Rs.50,000, taramrapatra and a shawl, the award was also conferred on Hare Krishna Behera for Odissi and theatre personalities Ratnakar Ramkrishna Matkari, Devendra Raj Ankur and Neelam Mansingh Chowdry.

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