Chapter 45: Performing Arts

Introduction

The dictionary definition of "performing arts" is "the forms of creative activities that are performed in front of an audience such as drama, music and dance". This Chapter, however, also discusses film and television, although the actors do not perform before an audience, but in front of cameras.

The Indian Music is perhaps one of the oldest in the world and is essentially melodic. A significant aspect of Indian music is that it has not lost this basic character to this day. The Indian music ranges from the grunts and shrieks of the Nagas in the Far Eastern border and Todas in the Southern hills, to the most sophisticated concerts of ragas and talas. Indian music may be broadly divided into two major groups-the Hindustani, and the Carnatic.

In general, they have the same basis. Both are melodic and essentially governed by raga and tala structure. The Carnatic system is the art form of Southern India (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka). The rest of India follows the Hindustani form. However, the North-South barrier both in respect of music and dance have broken down during the last four decades. In the field of dance, for example, Bharatanatyam has become truly Bharatiya (Indian), so also is Kathak dance. India has also a rich and long tradition of folk music and dance.

Music And Dance

Music (Vocal and Instrumental)

Training in music has a long tradition. The Gurukul system (or guru-shishya parampara), the ancient education system, had influenced education in music. It served as the basis of foundation of gharana system with close personal relationship between the guru or ustad and his disciples. The literal meaning of gharana is family. It is so called because a specific style of music originated in a family was practised and nurtured in the family and the successive generations maintained this family tradition. Generally, disciples used to stay at the residence of the guru, do household and other chores and received training or talim from the guru. The period of training was fairly long (10 to 12 years) during which the guru would train his disciples for performing in his gharana style.

The greatest advantage of this system was that the long and close relationship between the teacher and the taught led to the unfolding of the gharana. However, over a period, the gharana system has started weakening for various reasons leading to the establishment of music schools by many prominent musicians. Two great pioneers of Hindustani music, Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar and Pandit Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande, established music schools on the lines of modern educational system. Pandit Pandit Paluskar founded the Gandharva Mahavidyalay at Lahore (now in Pakistan) in 1901. The Vidyalaya was a unique blend of the Gurukul system and modern methods of education. Students were required to stay in the Vidyalaya for about 10 years.

Others could attend classes on fixed days and fixed hours to learn music. The products of the Vidyalaya, among many other prominent musicians, were Pandit Omkar Nath Thakur, Pandit Narayan Rao Vyas. Pandit Bhatkhande is credited with starting music schools at Lucknow. Some of the music schools of the earlier years still exist in Gwalior, such as, Government Madhav Music College (1925), Shankar Gandharva Mahavidyalaya (1925), Shri Maharudra Mandal Sangit Mahavidyalay (1937), Gradually, music was added to the list of optional subjects of study in many schools.

Dance

Dance in India has an unbroken tradition of over 2,000 years. The themes of Indian dance are derived from mythology, legends and classical literature. Its two divisions are classical, and folk and tribal dances. Classical dance forms are based on ancient dance disciplines and have rigid rules of presentation. Important among classical dance forms are Bharata Natyam, Kathakali, Kathak, Manipuri, Kuchipudi and Odissi. Folk and tribal dances are of numerous variations. In the field of dance also, the Gurukul system was in vogue.

It was Rukmini Devi Arundale, the most well-known exponent of Bharata Natyam, who established Kalakshetra in Chennai in 1936, a unique school of dance and drama, to widen to opportunity for learning dance and music. By an Act of the Parliament the Kalakshetra Foundation Act, 1994 (Act No.of 1994) it has been accorded the status of an institution of national importance. It now runs the Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts (Chennai-600041) which offers training in Carnatic Music. The great poet Rabindra Nath Tagore established in Santiniketan a school of music and dance - Sangit-Bhavana or Institute of Music & Dance, way back in 1921 which is now part of Visva-Bharati.

The great luminary of Malayalam literature Vallathol Narayana Menon, who had great passion for Kathakali which he inherited from his father, established in 1930 yet one more unique institution named Kalamandalam in Kerala. Now situated on the banks of Nila and patronised by the Government of Kerala, Kalamandalam is more than a synonym for Kathakali.

Educational Opportunities

Music and dance along with drama and theatre have now entered the portals of universities as academic disciplines. More than 80 universities have included music as a subject in the BA degree syllabus. A large number of universities had set up separate departments variously called as Faculty of Music and Arts, Faculty of Music, Faculty of Music and Dramatic Arts, Faculty of Performing Arts. In some universities the courses are also offered at the traditional Faculty of Arts and also in Faculty of Fine Arts which also deal with drawing, paintings, sculpture, etc. Besides, many universities have a number of colleges of music and dance affiliated to them. There are now two specialised universities in the area of fine arts and music, viz., Indira Kala Sangit Viswavidyalaya (Khairagarh, MP) and Rabindra Bharati University (Calcutta).

All the music colleges (31) in Madhya Pradesh are affiliated to Indira Kala Sangit Viswavidyalay. Two well-known schools outside Madhya Pradesh, viz., Sangit Niketan (Delhi), and Sangit Research Academy (Calcutta) are also affiliated to it. It offers a wide variety of courses at different levels including doctoral (PhD, D.Music, and D.Litt.) Degrees. Rabindra Bharati University, which has 56 Music colleges affiliated to it also offers courses in traditional subjects. Certificate and diploma level courses of varying durations (one to five years) are available in a number of universities.

Most of the diploma courses are open to candidates who have not crossed the Class 10 level. The first degree course leading to the award of B.Mus or B.A (Music) of three-year duration. It is of four years in Visva-Bharati. The entry requirement is generally a pass in 10+2 examination. The postgraduate course is of two-year duration leading to M.Mus or M.A (Music), and often Master of Performing Arts (MPA) in Music.

Apart from practical lessons, the syllabuses of the Master's programmes include theoretical and historical aspects of music. Some M.A programmes are mainly theoretical and historical in nature. Besides Hindustani and Carnatic, classical music (vocal), and Rabindra Sangit are also offered. Courses in instrumental music cover such instruments as violin, sitar, veena, esraj, and pakhwaj. Annexure 1 gives a list of some universities indicating the courses offered by each.

There are, however, a large number of music schools located in many big and small cities and towns mostly established by individual artistes. Many children and young persons who aspire to become musicians flock to these schools to get preliminary exposure to the art of music.

As regards dance, the subject is available as one of the combinations at the B.A degree level in about 15 universities. The first degree course in dance is of three-year duration. The nomenclature of the awards vary, viz., B.Mus (Dance), M.FA (Dance), M Dance) are available in a small number of universities. Annexure 2 gives a list of universities which offer Bachelor and Master's degree programmes. Like music schools, a large number of dance schools have also been established by individuals. Some of them, such as, Darpana Academy of Performing Arts established by the distinguished dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai, and Nrityagram set up by the late Kuchipudi dancer Pratima Gouri Bedi are quite well-known.

Drama and Theatre

Introduction

Theatre in India is as old as her music and dance. With the surfeit of television channels and the subsequent slew of soap operas, there is a great demand for trained actors and actresses. Many producers and directors look for professionals who have received formal training in acting or come from a theatre background. Many successful actors and actresses of the silver screen and the small screen have been actively associated primarily with group theatres. Several universities, such as, School of Drama (University of Calicut), Indian Theatre Department at the Punjab University with which Balwant Gargi was actively associated, promoted the cause of theatre. Bachelor degree course of three-year duration is open to candidates who have passed the 10+2 examination. The duration of the Master's degree course is two years. Eligibility requirement is a Bachelor's degree in drama. Annexure 3 gives a list of universities which offer courses in drama and theatre at different levels.

National School of Drama

However, one of the most sought after training programmes in theatre is offered by the National School of Drama (NSD) (Bhawalpur House, Bhagwandas Road, New Delhi-110001). The School was established by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 1959. Later in 1975, it became an autonomous organisation financed entirely by the Department of Culture (Government of India). It offers a three-year full-time and residential Diploma course in Dramatic Arts. The course aims at developing theatre personality by imparting training in acting, design and other disciplines related to theatre.

The essential qualification requirements are graduation in any discipline, participation in at least 10 productions, working knowledge of both Hindi and English. Candidates should be between 18 to 30 and must possess a sound health, because the rigorous training involved hard work. Admission is based on performance in an entrance test and interview. All candidates are paid a stipend of Rs.2,000 per month.

The course is divided into six semesters and duration of each semester is six months. The two semesters in the first year include a basic training in theatre including knowledge about the classical Indian theatre and the modern Indian drama. It is only in the second year that one is allowed to specialise in two specific branches of theatre viz., acting, and design. The curriculum in the acting course includes voice and speech improvisation, body movement and yoga, while designing covers the various aspects of costumes and stage crafts. The second course caters to people interested in direction. The National School of Drama has its own repertory company where some of the students are absorbed.

NSD has produced a galaxy of talents-actors, directors, script writers, designers and eductionists who work not only in theatre but in film and television, also winning several national and international awards.

Bharatendu Academy

The Uttar Pradesh Government had established Bharatendu Academy of Dramatic Arts (A-2/58 Vishal Khand, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow 226010). It offers a two-year full-time Diploma in Dramatic Arts. Qualification requirements for admission are: (a) Graduation in any branch, (b) good knowldee of Hindi and English, and (c) at least two years of experience in active theatrical work. Age limit is 18-35 years. The course is likely to be upgraded to the degree level of three-year duration from July 2001.

Film and Television

The education imparted in film and television covers more of the art and science of film-making rather than acting. There are three important institutions which offer training programmes in the subject, viz., (1) Film and Television Institution of India (Law College Road, Pune-411004); (2) Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (Eastern Metropolitan Bye Pass Road, Panchasaya, Calcutta-700094); and (3) Film and TV Institute of Tamil Nadu, (Chennai-600113). Besides, the Jadavpur University (Calcutta-700032) offers an M.A (Film Studies)Course. The Mysore University offers diploma courses in film acting and film direction open to 10+2 pass candidates.

Film and Television Institute of India

Film and Television Institute of India was established by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in 1960 on the recommendation of the Film Enquiry Committee for imparting training in the art and techniques of film making. Regular courses started from 1981. Television Training Wing which started functioning in 1971 in New Delhi was shifted to Pune in 1971. During nearly four decades, the course structure has undergone many changes. The course on acting has been dropped. According to the restructured programme introduced in the academic year starting February, 2000, the course is offered in three stages: (1) Basic Course, (2) Certificate Course, and (3) Diploma Course. The duration of each stage is one academic year of 40 weeks. The first stage is the Basic Course in Film and Television, if candidates want to specialise in Audiography in the subsequent two stages, they should have studied Physics as one of the subjects at least at the 10+2 level.

Selection is based on the performance in a written test and interview. Students who successfully complete the Basic Course would be eligible to apply subsequently for admission to the Certificate Course in one of the four specialisations, viz., Film Direction (Film & Television), Audiogaphy (Film & Television), Cinematography (Film & Television), and Editing (Film & Television). Admission to the Diploma Course in any one of these specialisations would be open to the students who successfully complete the Certificate Course in the same subject. However, the restructured programme have met with strong resistance from students. The Institute would review the course structure before admitting students for the session beginning in 2001.

Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute

The Institute, also set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in 1995, offers four programmes: (1) Diploma in Motion Picture Photography, (2) Diploma in Sound Recording, (3) Diploma in Editing (Film & Video), and (4) Diploma in Direction. All the courses are of two-year duration. The first semester is common for all the courses. The remaining three semesters are devoted to specialisation. Eligibility requirement is a graduate degree in any discipline including a degree in any branch of visual arts. For the courses in Motion Picture Photography and Sound Recording, preference is given to candidates who have studied Physics and Chemistry or Physics and Electronics at the degree level. Admission is based on the basis of performance in the entrance examination and interview. Press reports suggest that all is not well in the Institute. Lack of adequate number of faculty members and other technical personnel continue to persist even after five years of its establishment.

Film and TV Institute of Tamil Nadu

The Institute established by the Government of Tamil Nadu offers five diploma courses each of three-year duration and one certificate course of one year duration. Diploma Courses are: (1) Direction and Screen Play Writing, (2) Cinematography, (3) Film Processing, (4) Sound Recording and Sound Engineering, and (5) Film Editing. Qualification Requirements: (1) Direction and Screen Play Writing-Degree in any discipline, (2) Cinematography, and (3) Film Processing-a pass in 10+2 examination with Physics and Chemistry or Vocational course with photography as a subject, or a diploma in electrical engineering or electronics; (4) Sound Recording and Sound engineering-the same as above or Vocational course in Radio & TV., (5) Film Editing-a pass in 10+2 Examination. The Certificate course in Acting is of one-year duration and the entry requirement is a pass in Class 10 examination.

Other Institutions

Asian Academy of Film & Television (Marwah Studios Complex Website www.aaft.com), offers several courses of short duration in various aspects of TV and Film, besides a one-year Master Diploma Programme in Film-making. Several universities have also introduced diploma courses in Television, e.g., Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women (Coimbatore-641043)-TV Production and Direction, Editing Techniques and TV Camera Techniques; Gulbarga University (Gulbarga-685106)-T Techniques; Guru Nanak Dev University (Amritsar=143005)-PG Diploma in Programming in Mass Media (TV & AIR) University of Hyderabad (Hyderabad-500046)-Postgraduate Diploma in TV Production (a distance learning programme); Roorkee University (Roorkee-247667)-TV Technology.

It may be mentioned here that courses in Communication offered by several universities also include television as a major component in the syllabuses. (See Chapter 36-Journalism, Mass Media and Communication). National Institute of Design covers Video Film in the Communication Design Course (See Chapter 20-Art & Design). Punjabi University (Patiala-147002) has a Master of Theatre and Television Course.

Sangeet Natak Akademi

Sangeet Natak Akademi, (or the National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama) was founded in 1953 to promote performing arts in collaboration with states and voluntary organisations. The Akademi seeks to enhance public appreciation of music, dance and drama, by arranging free performances by talented artistes. It runs two training institutions, viz., Kathak Kendra (New Delhi) (See Annexure 4) and Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (Manipur). The Akademi also supports training programmes in Chhau dance of Mayurbhanj and Seraikella as also Koodiyattam in Kerala. The Akademi also provides assistance to theatre directors and playwrights and honours distinguished artistes every year in the field of performing arts.

Scholarships & Fellowships: The Department of Culture has a scheme for awarding senior and junior fellowships to outstanding artistes and scholarships to young artistes. (See Annexure 3 of Chapter 12-Scholarships, Fellowships and Educational Loans).

Update

Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) The expenditure reforms commission headed by KP Geetakrishnan had recommended that both the FTII and Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute(Calcutta) should be handed over to the film industry.