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Carnatica established the Global Mobile Gurukulam in the year 1999, incorporating the advantages of the traditional system of learning, enhanced by modern methodology. Features
More on the Gurukula System The traditional method of teaching, in our country, was the Gurukula system (Guru - Teacher, Kula - Race). Gurukula system means learning through living, travelling and completely associating oneself with the Guru (teacher). The Guru or teacher according to Indian tradition is equated to God which is acknowledged in the Vedas too. In other words, in India the teachers were always kept in high esteem. Thus, the Guru was considered primary for the learning of any art and the relationship between the teacher and the student is known as Gurusishya Parampara, as the art is handed over from the teacher to the student through oral medium directly and this form of imparting the education has been a special tradition in Carnatic music. Certain scholars make a slight distinction between Gurukula system and Gurusishya parampara, though the mode of learning, on principle, was almost the same. The difference that is pointed out is, in the Gurukula system the set up could be compared to the present day residence or boarding school where a group of students were under one single Guru till they completed their education. It can be noted here that from Vedic times, any art form, including music, was taught through this method. Guru Sishya parampara is considered as learning on a one-to-one basis (the teacher and a single student), the student being a part of the teacher’s household and learning without any time bindings as per the teacher’s convenience. The Gurukula system has been an effective system to preserve this traditional art form without losing the values for this many generations. In the Gurukula system, the student has the advantage of being in the presence of the Guru all the time. Most importantly, through constant observation a good student could imbibe the imports of the Guru’s music and his personality. The reverence for the Guru and strict obedience were part of the Gurukula tradition. Until almost recently ( ~ 1940-50), Gurukula system was hailed as the most useful system for music education, also because one pursued the art full time and had the scope to do so. Over the last few decades, the system has undergone several changes, which have resulted because of the change in the general outlook to this system from almost all those who are directly or indirectly involved in this great system. The reasons could be attributed to the social / economic / religious circumstances, where the focus or the primary emphasis has shifted from Carnatic Music being treated as an art-form to a profession. Further, the art was not commercialised as it is today and those days had not seen the advent of Sabhas, when music was patronised by Kings and Landlords. Music was handed down, generation to generation, by oral tradition and the system of notation was not prevalent. The whole scenario underwent a transformation with the advent of music organisations (Sabhas) / music schools / institutions / others. Music became a profession for many, hobby for some and entertainment for the others. The Gurukula system, at this point of time, took a back seat. Today, music as an art is commercialised and is even looked upon as a very lucrative profession. Gone are the days, when a student of music had to be under one particular Guru for years together before he / she could be on his / her own. Gone, also, are the days, when the Gurus used to impart knowledge to the disciple/s whenever they liked and whatever they liked. With the advancements made in Science and Technology, teaching has become time-bound, syllabus oriented and commercialised. Many teaching aids are also available today, like the audio / visual devices, source / resource materials, CD ROMs, books, journals, library facilities and many more. One also has more opportunities for listening to concerts, lecture-demonstrations and digital presentations (cassettes, compact discs and so on). Students are being taught music as part of their curriculum in schools and this helps in fostering the art right from a tender age along with a scientific outlook. |
Gurukulam Addresses Chennai T. Nagar, Adyar, Velachery Contact: Carnatica, No.9, Shirdi Towers, Arulambal Street, T. Nagar, Chennai 600 017.
Phone: (044)
4212
4130 A write-up on the Bangalore Gurukulam
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