Tura, Jan. 28: Meghalaya has embarked upon an initiative to promote musical talent. Dubbed as the "rock capital" of the country, the state has set up the Centre of Excellence in Indian Classical and Western Music with branches in Shillong and Tura. Its objective is to provide justice to untapped talent and export musical gurus.

The youths no longer need to look beyond the state. The centre is a unique and pioneering initiative of imparting world class training and mentoring in Indian and Western music.The programme, executed by Mumbai-based Centre for Creative Excellence, has lined up some of the finest musicians, mentors, trainers and teachers.

On the forefront of this ambitious programme is Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma, who has been popularising musical talent in the state.

He says it is not possible for most youths in the state to pursue music in a good institute and the centre will provide necessary training so that they are not left behind.

"It will be unjustified if our talented youths are not given a platform to learn and excel. We understand studying music is a costly affair, so the government has decided to dedicate the centre to the youths in Tura and Shillong," the chief minister said.

"It is an onus on the government to ensure that the youths are given a platform. Realising the importance of the vast talent pool, the government through the art and culture department has been promoting various competitions during festivals," Sangma said.

The Centre for Creative Excellence, Mumbai, has already trained numerous talents and aspirants from across the country and has successfully transformed them into performing musicians and playback singers.

The Meghalaya centre is offering a flagship one-year Musical Star Development Programme in Indian and Western Music and would also offer short duration programmes in various genres of music. It would also offer programmes in piano, flute, guitar, tabla and drums.

Through this programme Meghalaya would soon create a case study for the country in youth engagement and talent support. The centre will also collaborate with musicians of the region and work towards integrating local folk and traditional expressions into the popular forms.

"As the students get trained, they will be guided into creating their own music in collaboration with local artistes. The centre will work towards finding opportunities to showcase such creations across the country and the world as well," said Shubho Shekhar Bhattacharjee, chief creative mentor of the Shillong branch of the centre.

This year, the centre will organise a traditional India music festival in April, which will have artistes from all over the country. "Some of the rarest Indian instruments and expressions in vocal music will feature in the festival," Bhattacharjee said.

The session at both the branches began in December.

Earlier this month, American jazz saxophonist George Brooks and his wife art, educator Emily Klion, conducted workshops in Tura and Shillong. Brooks, known for combining jazz and Indian classical music, was thrilled with his experience in the state.

In the next few months, legends like Pandit Mani Prasad, doyen of Kirana gharana, Pandit Ronu Majumdar, world renowned flautist, Chandas Dass, renowned ghazal singer, Clive Hughes, legendary drummer and vocalist of some of the earliest Western bands in Calcutta, would be visiting Shillong and Tura for sessions. Project director Sucheta Bhattacharjee is one of the leading voice trainers in the country and an Indian classical and fusion artiste of repute.