Date:14/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/14/stories/2006081405860400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Make music education compulsory in schools: expert

Staff Reporter

It is best to help children get exposed to music at primary school level, says Mysore V. Subramanya

HONOUR: President of Bangalore Gayana Samaja Kamala Nath felicitating music conference president Mysore V. Subramanya (left) at the inauguration of the samaja's 38th music conference in Bangalore on Sunday. Vocalist Madurai T.N. Seshagopalan looks on . — Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

BANGALORE: Noted musician Mysore V. Subramanya on Sunday urged the State Government to make music education compulsory in all primary schools.

He was presiding over the 38th music conference of the Bangalore Gayana Samaja here.

Since children from all sections of society had to receive primary education, it was best to help them get exposed to music at that level, he felt, adding that the children would be more keen to learn and unleash their talents at that age.

He also wanted the Government to constitute an expert committee to review the curriculum and valuation work of the special music examinations and suggest changes.

Workshops

Besides, he stressed the need to organise orientation workshops to boost the interest of students on a regular basis. He also wanted a review of the university curriculum and appointment of qualified lecturers.

Mr. Subramanya said music and dance exponents writing books on the subjects should be encouraged by setting up awards. This would go a long way in getting quality literature on the subjects, he felt.

The Kannada Book Authority, he said, should have special sections on music, dance and arts. In this regard, he suggested that the authority could set up a separate archives section exclusively for music, dance and other arts.

Secretary, Kannada and Culture, I.M. Vittala Murthy said a proposal was before the Government to establish such an archive.

Besides, the Government was trying to set up a "Building Fund" for the Gayana Samaja building during the Suvarna Karnataka year, he added.