The proposal for making Chembai Memorial Government Music College in Palakkad as a Centre of Excellence by starting new courses in performing arts is under the active consideration of the State Government.
The proposal sent by the College Development Committee headed by District Collector K.V. Mohan Kumar was approved by the Collegiate Education Director and sent to the State government for sanction.
The Kozhikode University has given sanction to start Post Graduate course in Mridamgam recently, the Collector said.
Chembai Memorial Government Music College was established in 1957 with the sole aim of imparting Music Education to the students and to preserve the rich musical heritage.
As part of up-grading the institution as a full fledged Music College, the institution was affiliated to the University of Calicut.
In 2000 Government had issued sanction to start Degree courses in Vocal, Veena, Violin and Mridamgam.
At present three year Degree course in the above subjects are offered in the College.
The proposal to start performing arts like Mohiniyattam, Bharathanatyam, Abhinaya Sangeetham etc. has said that the musical richness, cultural heritage and musical contributions of the renowned exponents and stalwarts like Chembai Vadiyanatha Bhagavathar, Palakkad Mani Iyer, M.D. Ramanathan etc., starting of Masters Degree programme in Performing Arts Education should be considered with highest priority.
The sole intention of the Government in establishing this prestigious institution was to uphold the musical heritage and to produce Arts students with high performing caliber in the field for Music, Veena, Violin and Mridangam and mould them as acclaimed high class performing artistes.
While giving more emphasis on learning Gita and Vadya (Music and Instruments) the learning of Natya and its Dharma was not considered till date.
It is high time that all possible efforts should to be taken at all levels to start Masters Degree programme in Bharathanatyam, Mohiniyattom, Abhinaya Sangeetham, Mridangam, Violin and Veena, the proposal said.
The Collector said that Government had accorded sanction to start Masters Degree course in Vocal Music in the College during the academic year 2011-2012.
The proposal for starting Masters Degree in courses in the subjects of Vocal, Veena, Violin and Mridangam submitted to the Calicut University authorities was sanctioned between 2005 and 2007. But it could not be started so far due to the concurrence from the Government.
There has been enquiry from different corners regarding starting of Master of Performing Art courses. Considering the rich Music tradition and cultural heritage of Palakkad the Master of Performing Arts courses in the specialized should be started in the Music College during 2011-2012, the proposal said.
Sufficient class rooms are available to conduct the courses without affecting the existing courses. The spacious M.D.Ramanathan Hall attached to the College campus can be utilized for conducting classes in Bharthanatyam and Mohiniyattom.
For future expansion of class rooms, seminar hall and rehersal rooms etc. a multi storey building can be constructed with the financial assistance from the M.P. and M.L.A fund, the Collector said.
