THE BEGINNING In the early 90’s music classes
were started for children. The response was such that suddenly a large number
of students wanted to be musically trained by Smt.Seetha Rajan. Her style of
music teaching was liked by the children. Seeing the response it was felt that
it would be worthwhile to introduce a well focused training with commitment to
the subject. The concept of Project Saraswati was
visualized where students could be trained holistically in maximum possible
areas of classical music such as vocal singing, theory, languages, instrumental
training, teaching, voice culture, research studies and such like. In Project Saraswati,
the concept was to intensify the training with the aim of turning out very
capable musicians, scholars, teachers and finally Guru’s who would be capable
of acting as torch bearers who would become worthy of emulation for coming
generations of learners. This is how the concept of the Gurukulam became a reality where only those who would undertake a rigorous journey over a sustained period of time to pursue knowledge for the sake of knowledge through excellence and wisdom and only such learners who were passionate about learning for life were permitted to continue. It was found that the majority disagreed
with this and many left. A few remained and these few have all taken up music
full time and today have formed a network and have also started contributing to
our rich heritage and legacy. It is a matter of pride that, 3 disciples are doing their Ph.D studies and research work. Several have completed their MA music and are waiting for their turn to register for Ph.D. All of them are musicians and are performing in the Radio and Stage. A Junior batch is following the
Senior batch and are going through intensive training and in a few years time
they would be emulating their seniors. A Sub-Junior batch of young
children average age 10-12 have also joined the Gurukulam recently. The training has been very
challenging and arduous particularly because almost all the students are from a
non-musical background with a willingness to work. Looking back the results are
really producing a deep inner satisfaction and with a definite assurance that
the baton and the torch of knowledge shall continue to be passed on with a
reasonable degree of success. It is emphasized that most if not all disciples
due to the quality of training received and undergone by them would easily be
able to establish music schools in the short term for a greater number of
learners. It is also emphasized that atleast
a few disciples who have put in tremendous hardwork and have taken to the
subject exceptionally well. These disciples definitely, would in their own turn
and time establish Gurukulams thus making Project Saraswati a continuing and
effective reality with much benefits for the future generations.
|