The Hindu : New Delhi News : IGNOU to start new courses in visual arts

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 12, 2007
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New Delhi

IGNOU to start new courses in visual arts

Parul Sharma

University has set up a School of Performing and Visual Arts

V-C has appointed an expert committee to study and make recommendations
The courses will be offered in English, Hindi and other regional languages

NEW DELHI: In addition to other conventional courses Indira Gandhi National Open University will now offer programmes in various forms of performing and visual arts from next July. The University has set up a brand new School of Performing and Visual Arts – accommodating most of the broader forms of arts -- last month that will offer certificate, diploma and degree programmes. The school will develop courses to cultivate and hone the students’ skills in the areas of performing arts and fine arts. It aims at preserving the Indian traditional arts and embracing the entire culture, regions and languages of the country.

“For centuries, Indian arts have been distinguished for their aesthetic and functional value. They are a part of our cultural heritage and are integral to our society. A comprehensive arts education programme also engages students in a process that helps them develop self-discipline and self-motivation necessary for success in life. It will also give the learners exposure to different cultures, help promote social harmony and encourage appreciation of diversity,” said Vice-Chancellor V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai.

The field of visual arts will comprise painting, sculpture, arts history and aesthetics, applied arts and traditional arts, while different forms of classical dance, classical music, theatre and drama will come under the umbrella of Performing Arts. Prof. Pillai has appointed an expert committee to study and make recommendations on the establishment of the new school. Each programme will have a practical component of 70 per cent and the remaining 30 per cent will be devoted to theory. Theory classes would include a brief history, heritage and culture along the concerned subjects.

The courses will be offered in English, Hindi and other regional languages where applicable. “All the courses will be mainly in the face-to-face mode through the approved centres across the country. The Open and Distance Learning mode will supplement the curriculum. The School Board, comprising internal teachers as well as those from other universities and members from the industry, is being constituted,” said Director of Planning and Development Unit at IGNOU C. G. Naidu.

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