‘In music lies true bliss’
Making a moving call for youth to focus and cultivate patience, Kiran Seth, founder of the Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music And Culture Amongst Youth (SPICMACAY), captivated his audience once again as he came calling to Chandigarh on Monday. “Our ultimate aim is not to promote classical music, but to help people become better in their respective fields,” said Seth, who is on a three-day visit to the City Beautiful.
The Padma Shri recipient has been teaching at IIT Delhi for over four decades. SPICMACAY is his passion project, which during the last 47 years is working towards promoting Indian classical music, dance, folk forms, yoga, meditation, traditional handloom, handicrafts and more amongst youth.
"With a phone in our hands, we are finding it even more difficult to control our mind, which flits from one thing to another. An exposure to classical arts has proven to help improve one's concentration,” said Seth. He elaborated with examples, “Mathematical genius Albert Einstein played the violin, our very own Missile Man Abdul Kalam the veena, while number theorist Manjul Bhargava the tabla. It has long been established that classical music helps build concentration.” Another thing he wanted the youth to have is dhairya. “I have been teaching for four decades. Now students are surely brighter, but lack focus. Classical arts can help them build concentration and patience. In music lies true bliss.” His six-month solo cycling yatra from Kashmir to Kanyakumari has left him in awe of our country all over again. “We are blessed to be living in a country that's so rich in natural resources and culture, but we are slowly degrading everything.”
SPICMACAY has been doing exceptional work and getting a rousing response from the students all over the country. From Punjab, they have picked up Bhangra and Malwai Giddha. Legendary folk singer and sarangi maestro from Punjab, the late Sharif Idu, too had been a part of SPICMACAY programme. His organisation has long been involved in addressing issues of female foeticide and drug prevention. “We have the artistes prepare their presentations around these themes and launched successful signature campaigns,” said Sumit Taneja, who has been a volunteer for over 15 years. Seth ensured that the volunteers present with him — Dr Shakuntala Lavasa, Dr Kamal Gogna, Amulya Shukla, Sumit Taneja and Nalin Taneja — shared their experience too. "
SPICMACAY has a series of events planned in Himachal Pradesh in the coming year and over a hundred schools in Chandigarh keep their annual date with the artistes. While, along with thousands of volunteers, Seth is making a monumental effort for a long 47 years, he is yet to reach the masses. Seth explains, “Classical arts have their effect slowly. But, today, due to Instagram, Facebook and other social media platforms, which provide immediate gratification, people don't have the patience to wait. He, however, added, "Not everyone has to be a musician, but even listening to music can help immensely."
Seth would spend the next two days in the city, meeting heads of education institutions and volunteers. He signed off with the resounding words, “Saraswati — the Goddess of knowledge — has now been replaced by Lakshmi — Goddess of wealth. People think money would make them happy, but that's not the case. Only gyan (wisdom) can bring true happiness. And, our ancient arts and heritage are a key to it.”
