Online lessons for carnatic music

IF MUSIC be the food of life, then log on.

Why not? If we can sell gold, platinum, toys and groceries over the net, won't music sell? Of course it will. It has.

So if you are gung-ho about carnatic music and have little access to the traditional means of learning the form, then, there is hope yet.

Thanks, once again to the Most Munificent Web.

This is apart from buying CDs and VCDs on the net,it is not really e-commerce, but the real thing - learning authentic carnatic music on the web.

Welcome to the latest virtual avatar of traditional carnatic music: Cybervidyalaya.

This is the most recent and pioneering venture of the Carnatica group, through its music and dance portal: www.carnatica.com

The Carnatica Archival Centre, a trust launched in July 1999 to preserve, promote and propagate carnatic music throughout the world.

So did it take a lot of conviction to start something as tenuous as setting up a portal to sell music virtually? We ask K.N. Sashikiran, more popular as a vocalist, but speaking now as the co-founder of CAC.

Sashikiran and Sowmya together started CAC and the portal, on their mission of propagating the form.

``Well, it is quite a novel idea and we were a little apprehensive. However, with the support of senior musicians like Sri Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, we were convinced that there would be a good response to it, at least among NRIs,'' Sashikiran says.

Though there was no denying that it took a lot of tenacity to keep the idea growing and let it take shape.

The plan initially and as it has taken shape now, was to start a cyber vidyalaya, an online carnatic music coaching centre, a one stop-shop referral for all matters relating to carnatic music.

Those interested in learning music through the web at their own pace can register themselves for courses at the site and on payment of the appropriate fee (through credit card or cheque) can become part of the growing community of online music lovers, or should we say, learners?

There are already a large number of enthusiasts appreciating the notes that come through cyberspace and lapping up the lessons since the courses first began in October last year.

There is no age bar for applicants so far. There are plans to introduce a special course for children in the age group 3-15 years, as it was noticed that the language and methodology of teaching would have to be different to cater for them.

If you are wondering quite naturally about how testing will be possible on the net, no it is not videoconferencing.

Learners can tape the songs they are supposed to sing and send it over to the CAC office, based on which they will be evaluated.

A certificate will be awarded to the students on completion of the three-year course.

By Ramya Kannan

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