The State government will provide land to sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan for setting up an international music institute.
Minister for Culture K.C. Joseph, Mr. Amjad Ali Khan, his son Ayaan, and Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Akademi chairman Nataraja Krishnamoorthy told presspersons here on Thursday that the government had identified land in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Thrissur.
Final choice
The government had suggested the Kinfra Film and Video Park here, but the final decision would be made by Mr. Khan.
The government will give permissive sanction, and Mr. Khan would garner funds from his sponsors for setting up the institute. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has committed to providing land for the institute.
Mr. Khan said students of all streams of music such as Hindustani, Carnatic, Western as well as instruments and percussionists would be admitted to the institute. “I do not intend to impose a syllabus on the students. My aim is to create ustads from young talents.
Now, musicians are honoured once they grow old. This system should go,” he said.
The institute, to be attached to the University of Calicut and the Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Akademi, would have residential programmes for students. Mr. Khan and his family members would be the main instructors of the institute.
Mr. Khan said his family intended to settle down in the State for it was very peaceful as compared to other parts of the country. The motto of the institute would be to practise and popularise music beyond all castes, religions, and creeds, he said.
Work on the institute would be completed within two years of identifying the land. Tourism Director P.I. Sheik Pareeth was present.
