School first in region to offer Indian classical music as core subject

Teacher Alok Kumar Sharma with students during the Hindustani Classical vocal music classes, at Springdales School, Al Quoz. - KT photo by Juidin Bernarrd

An Indian school in Dubai has become the first in the Middle East to offer Hindustani classical music as a core subject.
Springdales School in Al Qouz, offering Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum, has launched Hindustani classical music, the traditional music of the northern areas of the Indian subcontinent, as an optional core subject for students in Grades 11 and 12. The school is first in the region to offer this CBSE-mandated subject. "The first batch of five students will appear for their board exams in 2019," explained Alok Kumar Sharma, head of creative and performing arts at the school.
The students will have 70-marks practical singing examinations, wherein they need to sing for 40 minutes continually and a 30-marks written test for their final exams. As of now, five students have enrolled for the subject, but Sharma, a gold-medalist Hindustani classical music, hopes that more students will become part of the course once they realise its many benefits.
The pupils are taught major Hindustani classical music ragas, a melodic framework for improvisation akin to a melodic mode in Indian classical music and taal (beats), ancient and modern history of music, life sketch of well-known Indian musicians and much more. "By the end of the course, students should be able to write music themselves." Students will be taught everything from the life of Tansen, a prominent court singer of Mughal emperor Akbar and primary musical elements in Natya Shastra, a Sanskrit text on the performing arts.
Unconventional education
Commenting on how schools are opening up avenues for learning unconventional education, Sharma said: "CBSE offers several hundred unconventional subjects. But it is up to the schools to facilitate teaching these subjects."
Currently, students belonging to both science and commerce backgrounds have opted for Hindustani classical as an optional subject. Take Shreya Saseendra Menon (16), a Grade 11 science student. "My core subjects are economics, biology, psychology, and Hindustani classical music. I would like to pursue a career as a psychologist and use music as a form of therapy - that is the reason I took up the course. Also, I've been singing Carnatic music (South Indian classical music) for several years," said Shreya. Badhra Ajit Nair (15), another science-stream student, wants to become a doctor. "I've been learning music for 12 years and I'm a dancer as well. I believe in developing all skill sets and not just being academically inclined."
However, commerce stream student Tanaya Sardeshpand (16), said it was her grandfather who introduced her to music, and that is what encouraged her to take up the course. "I want to become a professional singer or a producer. I've been learning Hindustani music for eight years now."
The students are also glad that their school is offering classical music lessons and that they don't need to go to learning centres to train in music anymore.
Pupils need 'multiple skills'
Students need to complete six classes a week, and a screening test is conducted before they are admitted to the course. "Children don't need to be trained singers. It is an advantage, but it is not mandatory. But they need to have a flair for music or some basic singing abilities before becoming part of the course," clarified Sharma.
Sharma provides individual one-to-one classes to the students.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai

Dhanusha Gokulan

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com