Kalkeri Sangeet Vidyalaya

This Foundation Project implemented by IFA will engage sixth to tenth grade students from the Kalkeri Sangeet Vidyalaya (KSV), in Kalkeri village, Dharwad, Karnataka, who study music, to explore the world of the makers of musical instruments of Miraj, and build connections with them. This project will enable students to understand and appreciate their contributions to Hindustani music. For this project Adam Woodward, Secretary of the institution will act as the signatory, and Krishna Sutar, a vocalist will be the project facilitator. Kalkeri Sangeet Vidyalaya (KSV) provides education in academics and the performing arts to children from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Founded in November 2002, the school provides education in academic subjects, Hindustani Classical Music, Kathak dance and drama. KSV combines both traditional and modern approaches to pedagogy through their training of Indian classical arts, as well as teaching the Karnataka State syllabus. Given their experience the school is best placed to be the Coordinator of this Foundation Project of IFA.  

Miraj in Sangli district of Southern Maharashtra is known for its Tanpura and Sitar musical instruments, connected to Ustad Abdul Karim Khan Saheb, the founder of the Kirana gharana of Khayal. These instruments are made entirely by hand and involve little or no use of power tools or mass production. The success of these craftsmen has relied on high quality standards, insightful knowledge and love for Indian classical music, which is reflected in every piece of instrument they make. But this century-old tradition is now facing an existential crisis. The industry which once employed thousands has only a few hundred now. The instrument makers mention that the arrival of electronic instruments and music apps have challenged their craft and led to a loss of their livelihoods. Some have shifted to new technology, but others are resistant to the idea and insist on preserving their traditional ways. 

This project advocates creating long-term partnerships between those who study and practice music and the makers of the instruments. Through this project, students and teachers of the school will be engaged in exploring the world of making of the Tanpura and Sitar in Miraj. The aim is to understand the place of instrument makers in the discourse of music, and appreciate their work and contributions which often gets ignored or silenced. The school would like to leverage the connections formed to enrich student scholarship in learning music. With weekly engagements in this yearlong intervention they hope that stronger ties will be created between the students, the school and artisans. Teachers will be encouraged to become participant learners and later evolve as facilitators so that they can continue with the processes learnt even after the project period. 

The project encompasses a wide range of practical exercises in making Tanpura and Sitar for developing the children’s powers of observation, imagination, and physical and technical skills. The students will also have an opportunity to observe and study the methods and materials used by the instrument makers. Activities for the students will involve observing and recording, journaling, discussions, lectures, field trips, interviews, and reading about the Miraj legacy. The school believes that this project will also enhance the academic performance of the students. The project is a continuum of the philosophy of the school, that is inclusive and inter-linked. 

The outcomes of the project will be a public performance and a process document of the project. The Project Coordinator’s deliverables to IFA with the final report will be recording of the performance, photographs, the process document and video documentation of the entire project.

This project suitably addresses the framework of IFA’s Arts Education programme in the manner in which it attempts to connect students and schools to the cultural knowledge of the places they inhabit. 

IFA will ensure that the implementation of this project happens in a timely manner and funds expended are accounted for. IFA will also review the progress of the project at midterm and document it through an Implementation Memorandum. After the project is finished and all deliverables are submitted, IFA will put together a Final Evaluation to share with Trustees.

This project is made possible with support from Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company.