All set for SPIC MACAY fest at IITH from May 26
With over 1,400 students and volunteers from across India and abroad, the weeklong immersive exposure to Indian classical music, dance, and arts will feature at least 25 Padma award winners and another 25 Sangeet Natak Akademi award winners, among several accompanying artistes.
'I was so inspired, taken into a tranquil world, when I first attended the SPIC MACAY at IIT Madras last year. I wanted them to come to IITH and approached them instantly,' IITH Director BS Murty said on its journey here. 'I was almost in tears watching 82-year-old Padma Subrahmanyam perform for one-and-a-half hours and the way she brought out the excellence,' he added.
In the run up to the event, from January to April, IITH hosted Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Vidwan L. Subramaniam and Padma Subrahmanyam. The event on Monday will be formally inaugurated by Governor Jishnu Dev Varma. Apart from orientation, the day's schedule feature screening of Sir Richard Attenborough Gandhi, Nadaswaram, Kuchipudi, and Hindustani, Violin lecdem and performances.
Ashram way of life
But day two will begin at 4 a.m. offering traditional methods of learning, away from urban distractions and a strict ban on cellphones in all events, and focused on self-discipline and reflection, the schedule till the penultimate day on May 31 begins at 4 a.m. with Hatha Yoga or meditation. Dinner too will be served last by 6 p.m.
Overnight sessions by Pandits, Vidwans and Ustad will continue from 8.45 p.m. till 6 a.m. The convention also includes talks, spiritual sessions, workshops and crafts, community work, and interaction with legendary artistes.
The heritage tour on Sunday exploring five separate themes of architecture, local experience, spiritual heritage and cultural memory include walks at forts, tombs, palaces, temples, mosques and churches, and museums.
According to the organisers, all the events are crafted carefully with performers of greatest acclaim from each field. Fundamentally, the events are educative in nature and not focused on entertainment.
SPIC-MACAY founder Kiran Seth, national chairperson Radha Mohan Tiwari, and other officials and volunteers were present in the media address here on Saturday. More details on the event can be had on www.spicmacay.org
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