Young at Art

Shrikant Deshpande,executive secretary,Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsav, says,“In an attempt to attract youth and give them an opportunity to be a part of the historic festival that celebrates classical music,we had slashed down the ticket rates to Rs 150 from Rs 350 for students. And we had nearly 600 students coming with their identity cards to attend the programme.”

Shrinivas Joshi,son of Pandit Bhimsen Joshi,says that growing popularity of classical music among students is just proving the fact that good things do not go unnoticed. It was an overwhelming response that benefits both the youth and the orgasnisers. “While organisers and artistes feel that it is their responsibility to take the art to the youth and get them acquainted with the richness of the tradition,youth get to be a part of history and come close to the art form that is their own,” Joshi says.

Amruta Deshpande,student,who was a regular at Sawai,says,“I attended the event for the first time and I was awestruck when I saw Pandit Hariprasad Chourasia performing. Classical music is not only deep and intense but also enjoyable like Bollywood music. And we can have our own choices as well. I don’t like slow music,but that is not all that the classical music genre has to offer.”

The ongoing Heritage-2010 series by Spic Macay was especially conceptualised keeping in mind the foreign students in India. Kiran Seth,founder of Spic Macay,says,“The organisation is dedicated towards bridging the gap between our classical music heritage and present day youth. And it is not only overwhelming but also satisfying to see that huge number of students voluntarily come to participate in the event.”

Citing one example,he says,“After the scheduled performance by Birju Maharaj,it was difficult to stop the students,who were wanting more and the maestro very humbly obliged them as well.”

“My definition of classical art form changed after I saw Birju Maharaj performing. He makes it so easy and entertaining for the audience. You need not be from a classical art background to enjoy his performace,” says Aditi Chavan,a student.

Kathak exponent,Birju Maharaj,himself puts it,“When I have such young enthusiastic audience,watch becomes my biggest enemy,which forces me to stop. I cannot comment on their dedication towards learning the art,but they certainly know how to appreciate the art,which is the first step towards learning it.”

The Pune International Film Festival (PIFF),too has been hugely popular among youth since it the time it has started. “There were nearly 1500 students,who registered with us. We already have concessions for students,and we have been witnessing huge crowd during the screening of films. But the good news is that,we get to see more students during some classic Indian films now-a-days,” says Santosh Unecha,associate director,Pune International Film Festival.