Swaras in cyberspace
CHITRA SWAMINATHAN
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Time and distance matter no more as gurukuls are giving way to e-schools teaching music.
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Photo: K. V. Srinivasan.
AT THE TOUCH OF A BUTTON: Virtual school for learning music.
Sa re ga ma pa dha ni... `e'. Classical swaras now echo in cyberspace. Gurukuls are giving way to e-schools, where gizmos are the gurus and gen-Y junkies, the sishyas.
Time and distance do not matter — a master in Chennai conducts classes simultaneously for students in Christchurch, Columbia and Cochin.
Says Bharath Subramaniam, management graduate-turned-entrepreneur, who offers e-courses in Carnatic music through Indiamusicinfo.com, "Art cannot remain unaffected in this technology-driven world."
Three years ago, when he started the online course with his software-professional friend Gokul Krishnan, it evoked a tepid response. "Few people had access to the net and fewer appreciated such modern intrusions into tradition. But we persisted as the venture is more about passion for music (both are trained instrumentalists) than commerce."
Today the young duo has no regrets with Carnatic enthusiasts and wannabe musicians from all over the globe enrolling for their course. They managed to convince the famous vocalist Neyveli Santhanagopalan to be the online instructor. "Initially, he was sceptical whether the idea would take off at all. But he gave his hundred per cent," says Gokul.
Aiming at running a virtual school, the two decided against the use of CDs and DVDs. "A lot of thought went into formatting the courses. The lesson content can also be transferred onto any portable device, such as an i-pod or mobile phones with MP3. For those who would want to watch the master while he teaches, we are working towards having a video-conferencing facility."
Says Neyveli Santhanagopalan, "From gurukulavasam we are moving towards sishyakulavasam. We need to open up and reach out. Grooming performers is not enough, inculcating art appreciation is equally important. When most youngsters are hard-pressed for time such courses are the best thing to happen. What's more, it reaches every nook and corner of the world."
Interactive courses
Santhanagopalan has tried to make the courses interactive by encouraging students to send in their feedback. Instead of making it just an academic exercise, he has packed in a lot of interesting information on ragams, kritis and composers.
"He has gone to the extent of analysing voices and recommending sangatis that would suit each. Every aspect has been so clearly explained that even beginners will not find it difficult," says Sriram Krishnan, an e-learner who works with the Infosys.
According to Amsterdam-based Ludwig Pesch, a Carnatic musician and musicologist, whose online course was perhaps the first of its kind in Carnatic music, "I was invited by the director of the distance learning department of Lueneburg University (the Netherlands) to develop this course for the European Study Centre. The course was an extension of the workshops and lectures on Carnatic music I used to conduct at the University."
Ludwig was the co-founder of Sampradaya, the well-known music documentation centre and archive in Chennai. The pianist, during a visit to the city under an exchange programme, realised "this is the music I would like to practise and understand." Then began his intensive training under the late Ramachandra Sastry. Says Ludwig: "E-learning is not just another channel to deliver information or knowledge but a platform to exchange experiences and probe questions specific to each. We are not saying here's a substitute for the conventional learning methods. That would be preposterous. It's more about tapping this amazing medium that connects the art and its lovers worldwide at just the press of a key."
Reaching out
Well-known Carnatic musician and instructor Suguna Purushothaman feels e-learning has made it easier for her to teach students in different parts of the globe. "Earlier, they would clear their doubts over the telephone, send audiocassettes or chat on the net. Now, people who feel that passive appreciation and knowledge acquired from books are not sufficient are taking the e-route."
Says Germany-based Beate Koehler, who during a search on the Internet some years ago was thrilled to find Pesch's e-learning course, "The fee was reasonable and the course, comprehensive and engaging. Most importantly, it encourages a profound cultural dialogue. By the end of the course, I felt I knew South India, though I have not visited." Beate got a tambura shipped from Chennai for a better understanding.
Paul Depprich, a practitioner of Western music and a regular at the December music festival in Chennai, says, "Pesch's course during the year and the music season at the end, that's the best mix." "E-learning," Ludwig says, "transcends national and cultural barriers, fosters personalised dialogue through a suitable learning environment and provides access anywhere and at anytime."
Will we someday have a kutcheri by an e-learner? "Of course," says Bharath.
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