Music students have responsibility to preserve folk arts, says music varsity VC at diamond jubilee celebration in Sri Sathguru Sangeetha Vidyalayam

Students learning music have a very big responsibility to preserve folk arts, said Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Music and Fine Arts University, Chennai, Vice-Chancellor Sangitha Kalanidhi S. Sowmya here on Thursday.

Speaking at the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Sri Sathguru Sangeetha Vidyalayam, established by the House of TVS in 1966, she recalled the contributions of illustrious and stalwart musicians such as S. Ramanathan to the growth of the Vidyalayam since its inception.

Showering encomiums on the Vidyalayam’s founder, Ambujam Krishna, and many others, Dr. Sowmya said that celebrating the ‘Shashtiabdapoorthy’ (60th birthday) of an institution reflected its vision and passion. The students of the Vidyalayam, she said, should feel proud to be a part of the institution.

Appealing to the students and faculty members of the Vidyalayam, the Vice-Chancellor said preserving and disseminating folk arts and music was a very big challenge today. “It is a great responsibility, and you (students) should take it forward to the masses,” she added.

The university, which was established by the Tamil Nadu government to promote arts and music exclusively, also showed its commitment to preserving them. The students were welcome to share their ideas, and she assured them that she would get them implemented for the larger benefit of the student community.

The Vidyalayam, which was started on a small scale to teach Carnatic music to children, had grown like a banyan tree and was being upgraded as a college of music and a research centre. The library had numerous collections that many scholars were using for their Ph.D. programmes.

“Continuous practice (sadakam) of music — be it vocal, instrumental or any other form — would take you to the top slot in the music world,” Dr. Sowmya said and urged the students to put in their best efforts while pursuing their academic programmes.

Vidyalayam president R. Srinivasan, in his introductory remarks, said that they conducted music workshops and trained students with experienced faculty. The Vidyalayam was ranked as an “A” grade institution by the NAAC, and he thanked the House of TVS for its rich contribution.

A logo was released on the occasion by Dr. Sowmya to mark the diamond jubilee celebrations.

Vidyalayam secretary R. Venkatnarayanan, treasurer Uma Ramesh, Sri Sathguru Sangeetha Samajam secretary Dr. L. Rajaram, Samajam treasurer Sivaraman and retired faculty member Meenakshi Pattabiraman offered felicitations.

The Vidyalayam conducted music competitions for school students, and the winners were given prizes. The TVS School students bagged the overall championship shield, while Adhyapana School was adjudged the runners-up. Former faculty members and principals were honoured on the occasion.