Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

Taking delight in Indian culture

K. Manikandan

Elmhurst students on a programme to study music, religion

EXPERIENCING INDIA: Students of Elmhurst College at a yoga session. — Photo: A. Muralitharan

TAMBARAM: Among the thousands who had flocked to Tiruvaiyaru village on the banks of the Cauvery for the Thyagaraja Aradhana this year was a small group of students from Elmhurst College in Illinois State of the United States.

While classical musicians and fans immersed themselves during the rendering of the `pancharatna krithis', the American students, led by their teachers, were an observant lot, taking delight in the region's rich cultural heritage.

Twenty-three students from various academic disciplines were in India on a fortnight-long programme as part of an annual exchange programme.

With the campus of Madras Christian College as their base, the theme of this year's visit was 'music, religion and culture in India.' Mladen Turk, co-leader of the tour, said students and staff of Elmhurst College were visiting India for the fifth year now.

Most of the students were pursuing music, while some others came from other disciplines. The purpose of the visit was to get a closer glimpse of the cultural heritage of India, Mr. Turk said. Project coordinator P.J. Sathiaraj said the visit of the American students to MCC began five years ago after academicians from the two institutions met and discussed the idea.

Mr. Turk said attending concerts by classical musicians from India at temples in Illinois was an integral part of the students' efforts to know more about world music. They also attended some kutcheris during the December season.

Yoga sessions

The students also attended some Yoga sessions during their stay. K. Gopinath, who taught about 25 simple asanas, breathing and relaxation techniques to the students said: "They wanted to attend more sessions but it was not possible due to want of time."

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