145;Classical musicians need patronage146;

The Indian Music Academy comes at a time when there is a dire need for patronage in classical music. We have a wealth of musical talent, but...

The Indian Music Academy comes at a time when there is a dire need for patronage in classical music. We have a wealth of musical talent, but it is suffering from a lack of interest, attention and support. In the old days, the musical community was self-sufficient, driven only by individual patronage. But in today8217;s world, when the mantra is to create a lot of hype over everything, musicians, especially classical musicians who are otherwise a quiet lot, need to make their presence felt.

This, of course, is an urban phenomenon. Even the media only concentrates on showing faces and getting quotes. By ignoring the performance itself, the actual skill and talent of the musician doesn8217;t get highlighted. We need to give it the attention and credit it deserves.

So this academy has been formed with the vision of reviving interest in Indian music. This will be done not just by recognising and felicitating the truly talented musicians, but also, very importantly, by supporting young talent, through patronage, guidance and even financial help in terms of medical aid.

Many legendary Indian musicians and singers have come together to lend their support whole-heartedly to the Academy. With the involvement of known names such as Pandit Kishen Maharaj, Pandit Ravi Shankar and Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, younger talent will get a chance to be properly nurtured. The Academy intends to hold 12 concerts a year, one every month, in which upcoming musicians will share the stage with established names. So, while the maestros draw in the crowd, the audience also gets introduced to talented new musicians.

The medical aid programme is devised with the same intention. People who would otherwise give up music as a career because of financial constraints, will now have a chance to explore their potential. Initially, we intend to concentrate on Maharashtra, and then, as we grow stronger roots, we intend to expand this facility to the entire country.

The Indian Music Academy is a body formed by artists and musicians themselves; with the initiative coming from The Indian Express group, it is not likely to deviate from its focus.