IIT Kharagpur establishes Academy of Classical and Folk Arts

Classical vocalist Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty will head the '100 ragas' initiative.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur inaugurated the Academy of Classical and Folk Arts on its campus. The news regarding the setting up of Academy of Classical and Folk Arts in India's one of the prominent institutes got confirmed by a spokesperson of IIT-Kharagpur on August 19. She further added that the academy will offer training on music, fine arts, and other performing arts. Inaugurated on August 18, the academy is in the spirit of the New Education Policy, 2020 to kindle innovation and multidisciplinary teaching, the spokesperson said.

The source further revealed that Hindustani classical vocalist Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty will head the ‘100 ragas’ initiative of the academy. It aims to formulate deep structures of Indian ragas by forging creative arts with cognitive sciences. “It is essential for an institute of national importance to focus on the holistic development of its students, staff, and faculty members. The Academy of Classical and Folk Arts is first-of-its-kind in IIT Kharagpur,” institute Director, Professor V K Tewari, said.

“Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty will deliver a lecture-demonstration on how learning music can help in developing necessary traits for scientific innovation,” Deputy Director, Professor S K Bhattacharyya, said.

The institute spokesperson also said the academy will inculcate traits of experimentation and innovation in young minds. Talking about the assistance and support the institute received while setting up the academy, she added, "the academy is being supported by alumni Arjun Malhotra, Dr Kiran Seth, Mukund Padmanabhan and members of the IIT Kharagpur Foundation, USA".

Read More:

• IIIT Delhi Placement 2020: 376 students received 703 job offers
• IIT Delhi to nurture startup culture with support and opportunities