MUSIC FORUM

ABOUT US

INDIA MUSIC FORUM
Mumbai
WORKING GROUP ON INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC

The soul of Indian Classical Music according to our scriptures is described to be an “emotional experience”. Such an experience being a collective state of mind cannot be made to happen, but being in the region of human emotional state, it cannot possibly be immune to the objective realities either.

In the modern context, the responsibility of creating conditions from the harmonious process of “Rasaswadana” devolves upon musicians, their audiences, the organisers and hosts of concerts, and the media which form a bridge between all the participants in the world of Indian classical music.

The Music Forum was established a decade ago as an informal working group, representing all these segments from the world of Indian classical music in Greater Bombay, has attempted to define the roles each of these constituents need to perform in order to preserve and enrich the soul of Indian classical music.

These role-definitions over the years represent many sessions of deliberations and discussions by members of the Music Forum, on the various obstacles to the creation of a superior climate for classical music in Greater Bombay and other parts of India. In the following are listed projects being actively pursued within the framework of the action plan.

ROLE OF THE ARTISTE	ROLE OF THE MUSIC CRITIC IN THE PRINT MEDIA	ROLE OF ORGANISERS
PROMOTION OF PROMISING ARTISTES	INTERACTION WITH A.I.R. AND DOORDARSHAN	MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY MUSICIANS
ACTIVITIES RELATED TO MUSIC EDUCATION	AWARDS	INTERACTIONS WITH FOREIGN COUNSULATES / CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS

THE ROLE OF ARTISTES

Attempt has been made to define the role of an artiste/musician as

A performer
A teacher
A responsible member of the society

ROLE OF THE MUSIC CRITIC IN THE PRINT MEDIA

With a view to remove irritations and misgivings in the relations between performing musicians and music critics (reviews), a mutually agreed set of guidelines have been evolved. This has resulted into a better understanding and harmonius relations between these two entities.

ROLE OF ORGANISERS

Having obtained fullest co-operation and support from music organisers in Bombay (including NCPA, Nehru Centre and various other important music circles), the following have been accomplished.

Starting the functions punctually.
Cleanliness of the auditorium and Green (rehearsal) room
Maintain audience discipline
Ensure best utilisation of amplification/microphone systems (An awareness workshop by Philips is to be held shortly).
Interaction with artistes
Organise Promising Artistes festivals once in a year

PROMOTION OF PROMISING ARTISTES

A list/data base of 250 promising artistes (including young artistes) has been prepared. Several music organisers have agreed to hold festivals of promising artistes with each organisation accommodating 10/12 artistes. About almost 100 artistes are being accommodated. In addition institutions viz : Rotary Club and other interested individuals/institutions have also lent their support to organise concerts of promising artistes.

INTERACTION WITH ALL INDIA RADIO AND DOORDARSHAN

All India Radio is one of the most important media for listeners of music all over the country. Performing musicians are much concerned about the policies followed by Radio authorities, which govern their broadcasts including remuneration, duration and frequency of programmes. Music Forum has had several formal meetings with AIR authorities to evolve a constant interaction with the performers and the Governement authorities.

Similarly there is an on-going process of interaction with programme authorities at Doordarshan.

WELFARE MEASURES FOR MUSICIANS

There is a need to provide welfare aids to musicians at low-cost. Several organisations have offered complimentary services of their doctor members. Needy musicians and their families have been obtaining such assistance through the medium of Music Forum from time to time. Attempts are also being made to supply free medicines to the extremely needy musicians. Also discussions are on with the Insurance Companies for evolving a scheme of Medi-claim for the Musicians.

MUSIC EDUCATION

Music Forum will actively engage itself with seminars organised by different institutions such as Sangeet Research Academy. In the past Music Forum has assisted in organising seminars on Sitar, Sarod, Instrument Makers, Sarangi, Tradition & Change, Indian Music & the West, Tanpura Workshop, Teaching of Indian Music, Bandish, Tabla, “Follow up Workshop on Teaching of Indian Music”, Riyaz Seminar, Follow up Workshop on Riyaz and Content v/s Expression in Indian Music.

A recent project undertaken by Music Forum covers the study of the systems of music education followed by Municipal schools, private music schools and music academies. A Core Group has been established including representatives from international organisations such as International Music Council (UNESCO) Paris, International Society for Music Education, Rotterdam Conservatorium (The Netherlands) and World Music Center (Portugal). A project report is under preparation by the famous musicologist Dr Ashok Ranade. It has been noticed that there are no clear indications of the objectives upon which the syllabi are based i.e., whether students are being trained to become performing musicians or music teachers or enlightened citizens.

With the assistance of Mumbai University, the Music Forum organised music appreciation courses, with a view to initiate interested students / public to get a higher level of music understanding.

AWARDS

Music forum has acted as a catalyst to establish several Awards in the field of music.

ITC Sangeet Research Academy Awards (2)
to two musicians for life-long and dedicated services – cash award of Rs. 10,000/- each.

Music Forum Research Award
instituted by International Foundation for Fine Arts (cash award of Rs 10,000/-).

Music Forum Media Award
Omkar Sangeet Sabha (cash award of Rs 10,000/-).

Music Forum Instrument Makers Award
Shri Manohar Mulay Memorial Trust (cash award of Rs. 10,000/-).

Music Forum Kirana Gharana Award
Ustad Faiyaz Ahmed Khan Memorial Trust – specific vocal style – to a musician for life-long and dedicated services. (cash award of Rs 10,000/-).

Music Forum Vidyasagar Award
Padmanabh Charities – to a young artiste of great merit (cash award of Rs. 10,000/-).

Music Forum - Navras Records Awards (4)
to four Promising artistes – First prize winners at AIR competition (Cash award of Rs. 5,000/- each).

Music forum – Pt Nikhil Ghosh Memorial Award – instituted by Shri Aneesh Pradhan – to a promising artiste (cash award of Rs. 5000/-).

INTERACTION WITH FOREIGN CONSULATES / CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS

Since last two years, Music Forum Bombay has arranged useful and effective quarterly meetings at which Consul Generals of Canada, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany Switzerland have attended. Amongst Cultural institutions, Directors of British council, USIS, Alliance Francaise de Bombay and Regional Director of ICCR have regularly attended. The meetings consider the following objectives.

To obtain travel facilities for non-Indian musicians interested in Indian music residing in overseas countries, with a view to obtain higher levels of music education, attend seminars, give concerts etc.
Music Forum could act as a catalyst to arrange interactions between overseas music groups visiting India desiring to interact with Indian musicians. (In the recent past, two such encounters were organised for musicians from USA and Germany).
To exchange notes on cultural happenings in India and in the countries each foreign dignitary represents.

After successful functioning of Music Forum at Bombay for several years, Music Forums have been established at New Delhi, Chennai and Calcutta and are functioning since a few years. All these units are functioning effectively and with the common cause to improve the Indian Classical Music climate of their city.