Naveen Patnaik and MC Bhandare at the Spicmacay programme in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, May 23: The 26th National Convention 2011 of Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth (Spicmacay) was inaugurated today at Ravenshaw University here.

Speaking on the occasion, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said his government was committed to promote and preserve the rich and varied folk art forms of the state.

“The state government has already taken steps to organise the large number of folk artistes in the state into clubs and federations. The process has already been initiated in Ganjam district,” he said.

Naveen further assured that his government would extend all support for the proposed regional resource centre of Spicmacay in the state.

Governor Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare inaugurated the programme that would see a wide spectrum of artistes perform during the next six days. He praised the Spicmacay for promoting Indian classical music and culture among the younger generation at a time when the youth of the country was drifting away from the country’s cultural heritage.

More than 1,200 students and 400 guests from all over India are attending the week-long programme of classical music, dance, folk, theatre, films and yoga.

Participants would also be provided with the rare opportunity of learning the various art forms from experts. Popular artistes would spend three hours every day with a small group of participants giving them hands-on experience.

The event would feature performances by renowned singers such as, Girija Devi (Hindustani vocal), Ms Sujata, Venkatesh Kumar (vocalist), Pandit Venkatesh Kumar (hindustani vocal), Vidwan T.V. Sankarn-arayanan (carnatic vocal), Pandit Rajan Mishra and Pandit Sajan Mishra (Hindustani vocal), Guru Ramahari Das (Odissi vocal) and Madan Gopal Singh (sufi). Musicians such as, Ustad Bahauddin Dagar (rudra veena), Vidushi Ashwini Bhide Deshpande (khayal), Pandit Ulhas N. Kashalkar, U. Srinivas, Ustad Naseeruddin Saami (khayal), U0stad Asad Ali Khan and Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan would also be performing.

The event would also include performances by other artistes such as Padma Vibhushan Pt Birju Maharaj (kathak), Vidushi Sujata Mohapatra (Odissi dancer), Vidushi Methil Devika (kuchipudi), Ileana Citaristi (Odissi), guru C.V. Chandrasekhar (bharatnatyam), Vidushi Kapila Venu and Kalamandalam Mohanakrishnan (ottan thullal).

The event is being organised for the first time in Orissa. Ravenshaw University vice-chancellor Devdas Chhotray said: “The convention serves as a common platform for the youth from across the country to come together to exchange ideas and share experiences.”

Spicmacay founder chairperson Kiran Seth warned that India, by 2020, may become “a clone of the west” if the heritage of the country was not preserved. He said the national convention is yet another occasion for the student participants to experience the cultural heritage of India in all its glory and experience a spiritually elevating and enriching interaction with the great masters who perform.

Seth said the traditional art forms of India were like banyan trees. “It is impossible to say when it began and which way it will grow.”

“We want to keep the interest in our culture and heritage alive. With a motive to expose the student community to various facets of Indian culture, we have organised the event,” he said.

Tourism and culture minister Prafulla Samal, forests and environment minister Debi Prasad Mishra, Barabati Cuttack MLA Debashis Samantaray and Choudwar Cuttack MLA Prabhat Biswal attended the inaugural function today.

“This is a great occasion for students like us to witness the rich Indian classical music and learn from the maestros during the week-long programme,” said Satyajit Moharana, a student of Ravenshaw University.