Sandeep Bose conducts a class at Nrityangan. Pix: Bhola Prasad

Be it the hasta mudra or the raagas or the various forms of dance that revolve around the rasas, the classical arts is fast climbing popularity charts in Jamshedpur. What is drawing the youth towards this age-old art? While most feel a new-found awareness has a major role to play, purists have a different take altogether.

Reality TV and talent hunt shows are said to be the cause. Whether they are the biggies like Boogie-Woogie and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa or local competitions — the youth surely wants a fair share of the limelight. They are not looking at becoming a Birju Maharaj or a Sitara Devi, all they want is instant fame, and money, of course.

Several music schools or sangeetalayas, as they are called, within the vicinity of the city offer training in the classical arts. Besides, some experienced artistes teach students at home, too. And almost all agree that many more students seem to be interested in the creative field.

Chandrakant Apte, a senior classical vocalist of the city who also runs Swar Ganga, a music school in Sonari, feels it is glamour that drives the youth to learn classical music. “Most of them come with the hope to qualify in some TV show or the other. But at least they are learning about their culture,” he adds.

Besides Swar Ganga, other prominent institutions include: Rabindra Bhavan (Sakchi), Sangeet Kala Kendra (Baridih), Nrityangan (Kadma), Sangeet Samaj (Telco) and Jamshedpur Music College (Baridih). While most of them are affiliated to Prayag Sangeet Samiti in Allahabd, some are also associated with Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in Mumbai, Bangiya Parishad in Calcutta and Pracheen Kala Kendra in Chandigarh.

Though interest in the classical arts has increased, a major problem remains — it attracts only those at the junior level. Sandeep Bose, a Kathak dancer, who runs Nrityangan, says, “Many students start learning classical music and dance from their childhood but the moment they pass their matriculation, they discontinue. While many leave for higher studies, those who here are so busy with competitive tests that they get no free time.”

But the positive is that parents, too, seem to take an interest. “Earlier, parents would come only to pick up or drop their children but now they stay back and watch them perform,” says Geeta Tiwari, who runs the Sangeet Kala Kendra.

Probably parents have realised that the classical arts also offer career opportunities. And they have examples like Shradha Das and Sanchali Chatterjee — two city girls who sang their way to peoples’ hearts in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa — right before them. Thus, to cater to students, music schools not only follow a syllabus but also offer guidelines to those who aim to be a popular face on the small screen. However, they expect them to go beyond TV shows.

“We are proud of Shradha and Sanchali but we would like them to move ahead. The new generation should aim higher. Only then can Jamshedpur boast of truly producing an artiste,” says a senior artiste.