Bond of culture, music for life

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, AUG. 10. Appearing for an interview before a vidwan like Dr. Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana is no joke. How did she feel facing a maestro and answering his queries? "I must admit I was a little scared at first. But I felt OK later", quipped Kota Aparna, a student of sixth class of Visakha Valley School, Vizianagaram, with a blush on her face.

Aparna is one of the 172 candidates taking the interview for National Cultural Talent Search Scholarships for 2001-02, conducted over a period of three days by the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) here. M.S.V. Priyanka, studying in ninth class at Rosary Convent here felt the experience was refreshing. "Sir was very helpful in making us answer his questions. Fine arts is an integral part of our studies", she said.

Though looking too young to be a student of ninth class, B.R.V.S. Pawan Kumar from Manasa's English Medium School, Vizianagaram, was a picture of confidence. Probably, because his father is a teacher of Carnatic music. He asserted with a gleam in his eyes, "I have appeared once earlier. Now, I am confident".

According to the Director-General of CCRT, Mr. Surendra Kaul, the centre is conducting the interviews nation-wide to select about 300 students in the age group of 10 to 14 years who would get a scholarship of Rs. 400 (inclusive of Rs. 200 to be paid to the teacher) every month till they reach the age of 20.

About 3,600 applicants from all over the country were screened out of a total of 5,000 applications received. The nine categories in which the student can participate are Carnatic, Hindustani and instrumental music, Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, folk dance, painting, Kalamkari and drama.

At a press conference here on Friday, Mr. Kaul said the CCRT was playing a crucial role in making learning easy with the help of culture. This way the student would not only show interest in studies, but he would also be made aware of the country's glorious culture.

Responding to a query, he said that since 1982 about 50,000 teachers had been trained to teach culture to students. While the target last year was 5,000, this year the targeted number of teachers was 20,000, he said.

The Central Government had, with an emphasis on North-Eastern States, stipulated that not less than 10 per cent of the budgetary allocation for training teachers (Rs. 8 crores) should be spent on those States.

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Section  : Southern States
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