Indira Kala Sangeet varsity hit by fund crunch

The university, with five faculties and 17 departments has 40 institutions affiliated to it across the country.

quot;We are having frequent changes at the top level. Further, there is lack of adequate financial assistance,quot; laments varsity Vice-Chancellor Indrani Chakravarti, an eminent sitarist.

It was during the 8217;70s and early 8217;80s that the University enjoyed a prominent place in the music and dance circles of the country. In 1972, sitar maestro Ravi Shankar was awarded D Litt. Dansuese Rukmanidevi Arundale, legendary sitarist Allauddin Khan, popular singer Lata Mangeshkar, doyenne of carnatic music M S Subbulakshmi and scholar Pupul Jayakar were among others later conferred with the same honour.

quot;Those were days when we used to have eminent artistes as visiting professors8230; Pt Krishnarao Pandit, Sitara Devi8230;,quot; recalls Prof Chakravarti. The varsity offers degree and diploma courses in Hindustani and carnatic vocal, instrumental music, kathak and bharatanatyam, besides visual arts, folk music and humanities to over 400 students, some of them from abroad.

The varsity authorities, from time to time, have demanded for central university status to the institution. quot;Even recently one such attempt was made. But the proposal was reject on the grounds that our varsity is financially not sound,quot; Prof Chakravarti points out.

The palace which houses the varsity was donated by late Rajabirendra Bahadur Singh and late Rani Padmavati Devi of the erstwhile Khairagarh royal family. The institution has been named after their daughter Indira, an art-loving princess who died at a young age. The varsity was declared open by late prime minister Indira Gandhi on October 14, 1956.

The vice-chancellor is unhappy about quot;unnecessary interferencequot; by some local people, mainly those belonging to the erstwhile royal family, who are associated with the university. quot;Given a more free hand, the varsity still has the potential to regain its lost status,quot; she adds.

Speaking about the paucity of funds, Prof Chakravarti said consistent efforts were being made to receive grants from the university grants commission and the Madhya Pradesh Government. Also, there are quite a few of vacancies to be filled.

Some institutions under the varsity too have been racing problems. When known to have taken double affiliations, they were de-recognised. quot;However, new institutions are being affiliated recently. Also two arts centres in the United States have sought for affiliation with us,quot; she hastens to add.

In 1988, the University started graphics department. quot;Some 125 students have so far passed out of the department,quot; says Dr Nagadas, reader in Graphics.

Owning a rich collection of more than 40,000 books, a good number of audio tapes and compact discs, the varsity also provides facilities for research work. The general enrollment these days is on the increase with a rise in job opportunities in Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya School, notes Mr K Jose, a senior official with the varsity.