Advisor to Chief Minister, Prof. Amitabh Mattoo, today convened a meeting to review academic structure for introduction of music at elementary and higher level under “Music Initiative” of Abhay Rustum Sopori.The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Higher Education, Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon, Secretary Education, Farooq Ahmad Shah, VC Cluster University, Abhay Rustum Sopori, other renowned musicians from J&K besides senior functionaries of the concerned departments.During the meeting, a detailed discussion was held on several issues pertaining to introduction of Music as a subject right from Elementary Level whose proposal already given to the Chief Minister and the Education Minister, recognition of students learning under SaMaPa under the traditional Guru-Shishya Parampara to opt for B.Mus (Bachelors of Music) directly, setting up of J&K Institute of Music or J&K Faculty of Music that offers full time professional Music and other Performing Arts Graduate courses like B.Mus, followed by PG (Intergrated ) courses like M.Mus and upto PhD with capable teachers as per UGC guidelines, offering of Diploma courses and many alike.Prof Mattoo said that with the introduction of Music as a subject (Classical music) in 11th and 12th standard, those students who would be interested to take music in graduation can have the basic study as prescribed by the board and the minimum qualification for graduation course in music as per UGC norms.He further asked the Principals of respective colleges to recognize the fact that the music cannot be substitute subject or last option to be offered to students and it should be offered to those who wish to take Music as a degree course.
“B.Mus to be introduced as a full time graduation course with the full respect and honour like any other course”, Prof Mattoo affirmed. Courses offered can be in Santoor, Vocal, Sitar, Tabla, Violin, he added.We can also promote local regional and folk music / instrument as an additional subject like Regional / folk vocal for vocal students, Saaz/ Sarangi for Violin students, Kashmiri Sehtar / Rebab for Sitar students, Matka , Tumbask, Dhol etc for Tabla students and likewise, Prof Mattoo said adding that other music streams / instruments can also be introduced like Sarod, Flute and Harmonium.Prof Mattoo asked the concerned officers to lay emphasis on initiating the Music courses in the institutions where there is already an established Music Faculty like Govt college for women – Maulana Azad Road, Navakadal College, Anantnag college, Baramullah , etc in Kashmir and likewise in Jammu in institutes like Prade College , MAM college , Gandhi nagar Women’s college. The faculty can be upgraded as per requirement. He further stressed on creation of Music faculty in various districts and bigger towns and said that the same set up can be offered in Ladakh as well.Discussion on offering of Professional courses like Sound Engineering, creation of Tabla Assistant post in all colleges where there is music, enhancing quality of education in music – quality of instruments, modernization of rooms were also held in the meeting.The day was also marked by launch of several books pertaining to multitude of subjects, in several languages including on JK Knowledge initiative, besides others.