SRA to combine training & research

The ITC Sangeet Research Academy (SRA) will combine its mission of providing the best possible training for Indian classical musicians of the highest calibre as well as encourage educational and scientific research work to help strengthen the musical base of the future generation of performers as well as listeners, Amit Mukherjee, director of SRA, said here today.

He was speaking at a seminar on 'Hindustani Raga Music "" Future Responsibilities'.

According to Mukherjee, the best way to learn music was the 'gurukul' way.

"But that set-up can not be resuscitated or replicated as effectively as it used to be in the past," said Mukherjee.

The onus is mainly on musicians to keep the tradition alive, added Mukherjee.

"Talent is always in-born but would still require training and the earlier in life one starts with the voice training, the better," said Mukherjee.

Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, the famous Hindustani vocalist, believes that the best way to learn music is the traditional 'Guru-Shishya' way where the disciple can learn best by absorbing the training imparted by the Guru.