Sarod Maestro Pandit Rajeev Taranath regrets

Mysuru:  The present day education system is in such a mess that Degree courses have become marketing commodities and degrees are being acquired by paying money, regretted Sarod Maestro Pandit Rajeev Taranath.

He was delivering a talk on ‘Music-Teaching and Learning’ as part of Special Lecture series, organised jointly by the University of Mysore Alumni Association (UMAA) and University College of Fine Arts at IOE (Institution of Excellence) auditorium, Vignana Bhavan, Manasagangothri, here recently.

When one learns music with diligence, honesty and integrity it upholds one’s culture. Ustad Ali Akbar Khan was my music guru. Years ago teachers of music and literature in University of Mysore commanded a lot of respect. Students from different parts of the world were coming to Mysuru to learn music. As I had great interest in music, I involved myself in its learning, said Panditji.

University of Mysore Vice- Chancellor Prof. G. Hemantha Kumar was the guest of honour. University College of Fine Arts Principal Dr. C. Ramaswamy presided. UMAA President Dr. Vasanth Kumar Thimkapura, Secretary Dr. S. Umesha, Programme Committee Chairman Prof. K.A. Raveesha, former Kuvempu University  Vice Chancellor Prof. P. Venkatramaiah, UMAA members K. Arkesh, Dr. Krishnamurthy Chamaran, Dr. Vasanthkumari, Dr. M.S. Sapna, Nandini Murthy, K.T. Veerappa and others were present on the occasion.

“One should use mother-tongue a lot. There is also a lot of work needed to be done to introduce Kannada literature to other people speaking other languages. When one imbibes art, culture, literature, then the true picture of life emerges. There is a lot of difference between Hindustani and Western music. Westerners give a lot of respect to our dance and art forms.

—Pandit Rajeev Taranath