MUMBAI: The All India Musicians' Group (AIMG) supported by cultural institution National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), in a press conference yesterday announced the progress achieved on the objectives and key developments that it had laid down post its meeting with the Prime Minister and Ministry of Culture in December 2010, and their future actions to promote Indian Music.
The meet was attended by the legends of Hindustani and Carnatic Music including Pandit Jasraj, Zakir Hussain, Hariprasad Chaurasia, Ajoy Chakrabarty, Chitravina Ravikiran, Sudha Raghunathan, U Shrinivas, Shivkumar Sharma, TN Krishnan and Rajan Mishra. Also present was Ministry of Culture joint secretary NC Goel.
Adhering to the request made by musicians to carry forward the tradition of Guru-Shishya Parampara, a dedicated scheme will be created by the Ministry of culture, where to start with, support to 100 Gurus will be provided in the first instance. The scheme will be monitored and evaluated by expert committees. This is the first time in the History of post-independent India that a scheme of such nature for Indian music teachers has been sanctioned, states the release.
The musicians have appealed for an exclusive TV channel to be dedicated to culture which is under serious consideration. In the last meeting, the AIMG had also requested for the scope of the National Culture Fund (NCF) to be enlarged beyond its present support to just monumental heritage. It was further highlighted that corporates, individuals and trusts who donate to the NCF can actually earmark their contribution to the project and art form of their choice. They will also get a 100% tax exemption on this contribution. In certain cases, the Government is also likely to make a matching donation of the contributed amount and therefore allow for larger support for the arts. The AIMG has asked for an enhancement in the amount made available for the Artiste Pension Scheme and the request for establishment of National Artiste Welfare Fund is under serious consideration. Fund will function in an autonomous manner and artistes from any genre will be able to apply for the same.
Music Education in Schools is an important issue under consideration with the Ministry of HRD. It appears that the request could be considered on a review basis for children above a certain age. As required, a syllabus in respect of Carnatic and Hindustani classical is also being prepared by members.
On behalf of AIMG Pandit Shivkumar Sharma said, The AIMG believes that the direction which Indian classical music is being induced to take requires corrective measures, and it is the mission of AIMG to strive through interactions with all concerned to ensure that the focus of Indian classical music stays true to its authentic and time-tested objectives. With support of renowned musicians, institutions like the NCPA and the Government of India, we hope to identify issues which are prejudicial to its moving in the right direction. So far, the Government has been very supportive of our objectives and we are working together to achieve the same....
NCPA chairman Khushroo N Suntook said, The NCPA joined hands with AIMG to promote the cause of Indian music. In the two years, the NCPA and AIMG have been working together to champion the cause of Indian music. The AIMG meeting with the Prime Minister was a concrete step in that direction. We are extremely happy to see the positive reaction from the PM and the Government of India....
The AIMG had a meeting with Prime Minister and union cultural minister Manmohan Singh on 8 December last year, during which the above issues were raised.