Tsuktiben Jamir
Established in the year 1959, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, is one of the first Institutes of Technology in India; it is a public engineering institution which is funded by the government. The Office of the Dean of Students Affairs at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has initiated a new cell called “APPROACH” (Cell for Appreciation and Promotion of Art, Culture, and Heritage) in an effort to promote art, culture, and heritage among the students and staff at the institution.
The committee, made up of IIT Kanpur students, staff, faculty and different representatives of the campus community, will run the cell’s operations, ideate, and oversee all of its activities and plannings. A number of exciting programs are in the works and will be launched over the upcoming semesters as well as the summer and winter breaks.
All those who are willing to participate in the effort can now apply for Associate Membership through the Cell. The cell’s main goal is to carry out initiatives that support the overall development of both students and the campus community. As part of the effort, the cell has also launched a two-month introductory Certificate Course on Art Appreciation – Hindustani Classical Music with the goal of familiarizing interested participants with the fundamentals of Hindustani Classical Music.
This two-month course, which will run from 15th May to 14th July 2023, will be conducted every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and is open to all IITK students, staff, and faculty members, as well as all children (over 16 years of age) of IITK campus residents and selected school students from Kanpur City. The Centre for Continuing Education (CCE), IIT Kanpur, will also issue certificates of completion to each participant of this course.
By taking part in the course, the participants will be exposed to the unique and beautiful aspect of the Hindustani Classical Music. The participants will be able to perceive the nuances of a Hindustani classical vocal or instrumental performance after completing this module, and they will also be eligible to enroll in other advanced courses in classical music in the future.
The coordinator of the cell, Prof Sameer Khandekar said, “Cultivating respect and admiration for our collective heritage, art, culture, and inheritance is at the core of APPROACH’s mission. Through diverse group activities in music, art, and heritage, we aim to provide participants with exposure and engagement that fosters deeper appreciation. We envision to bolster the synergy between creativity, art, and academic achievements.”
Regarding the programs, activities and events to be expected from the cell, he further said, “The programs that are being planned include music baithaks/lec-dems/art-appreciation workshops, heritage tours for students to Kanpur city and adjoining areas, art exhibitions/music/art lessons, demonstrations/workshops by local artisans, and informal and formal art and culture appreciation sessions/talks, etc.”
IIT Kanpur was the first university in India to provide a science-based engineering program at the undergraduate level. According to the Institutes of Technology Act, the Indian government designated it as an Institute of National Importance. The institute is known for organizing a variety of programs and events that cater to the overall development of the students and the establishment of the APPROACH cell is a testimony of this effort.
