Intercultural education

“Cosmic Order, Cosmic Play: An Indian Approach to Rhythmic Diversity”

by

Music by Kalaimamani TR SundaresanConcept by Ludwig PeschInspired by a conversation on the subject of ‘korvai’ with the late Sangita Vidwan S. Rajam Originally published in 2001 by KIT Publishers in Rhythm, A Dance in Time by Elisabeth den Otter (ed.) in conjunction with the exhibition titled “Ritme, dans van de tijd” at the Tropenmuseum … Read more

Audio | Numbers in Indian music and beyond (rasa): Zero & Nine– CBC Ideas

by

The story of zero: How ‘nothing’ changed the world Before it could be used, it had to be invented. “This invention of the zero and the way we write our numerals today is what is now the basis of all modern technology,” Princeton mathematics professor Manjul Bhargava told IDEAS. “We often take it for granted. But … Read more

“Learning should be a source of joy” – V.V. Sadagopan on Music education

by

Audio source: singing by the author | Find details for “78RPM – V V Sadagopan” on Archive.org >> It is a curious irony that we, who claim to “hear” our music,1 are less sensitive to tone quality than the Westerner who “sees” his music. Happy exceptions apart, musicians and listeners (especially of the South) are … Read more

“The fundamental principle is joy” – Music education pioneer VV Sadagopan

by

“Children should grow with joy, courage and freedom and a discipline born out of these attributes. The fundamental principle is joy, suggestion must be the method, the emphasis should be on the imaginative and creative experience of music and teaching should follow a “flow-form-flow” spiral. – VV Sadagopan | PDF-Repository >> World Children’s Day (20 September) … Read more

Beyond performing competence: Students set to become good teachers and informed citizens as well

by

By S. Sankaranarayanan in Sruti (1998) | Excerpts that remain relevant today: Observations on the teaching of music at the Rotterdam Conservatory, Holland: Along with theory and history of music, the students [at the Rotterdam Conservatory] also acquire knowledge of ancillary aspects such as voice modulation and the reading and writing of notation. However, weightage … Read more

A music that connects amidst multiple crises: “Joyful subtle insights”

by

The most rewarding task for teachers and performers may well be to convey Tyagaraja’s last message to his disciples and the world, one that may liberate us by letting go of artificially separatist views of culture, creed and nature as well (given the multiple crises humankind is faced with on a daily basis): Paramātma is brightly shining … Read more

Upholding “Freedom of religion or belief, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to peaceful assembly and the right to freedom of association” (22 August) – United Nations

by

We must understand India today in the light of its rich, long argumentative tradition [while] appreciating not only the richness of India’s diversity but its need for toleration. – Nobel Awardee Amartya Sen >> Source: “International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief”URL: https://www.un.org/en/observances/religious-based-violence-victims-dayDate Visited: 15 August 2023 Even … Read more

Flow | Practice within a shared vocal range of one octave

by

By choosing an octave based on G# or A for basic “Sa”, all types of voice will be able to join in comfortably. This is demonstrated by a noted singer and vocal guru, Dr. Nookala Chinnasatyanarana: for this audio lesson1 he chose G# as basic “sa” to enable male and female voices to practice together; … Read more