Activities

The Parameshwar Hegde Music Academy wishes to focus upon the following themes, as part of its activities -

Promoting young talented artists

Often times, it is not only for the achievements during our lives that we are remembered, it is also for the legacy that we leave behind. In this spirit, Pt Hegde has taken it upon himself to actively promote young talented artistes in the field of Hindustani classical music, to carry on the traditions and chart new paths in this great art. It is often difficult for upcoming talent to get a platform to perform. Everyone wants a ‘star', and often the ‘stars' prefer to keep their domains exclusive! It is therefore challenging for new talent to get a good ‘break'. This actually leads to a reduction in the number of young men and women who take up classical music as a full-time vocation – which is a loss to our art form and culture. Pt Hegde's belief is to break through such a restrictive atmosphere and provide encouragement and a stepping stone for genuinely talented youth. The Academy proposes to conduct one program a year, in three sessions, to feature new upcoming talent.

Providing scholarships for poor but talented students, especially from rural areas

For every one Pt Parameshwar Hegde who has made it to the top as a successful artiste of international repute, there are probably many others who had the talent and skill, but could not pursue this art, due to financial constraints. Our small towns and hinterlands are great sources of talent that lie largely untapped and un-cultivated. It is Hegdeji's vision, through the Academy, to make an impact.

The Academy proposes to set up ten scholarships to deserving students from rural areas in Karnataka to help them pursue an education in Hindustani classical vocal music. Each scholarship would include a sum of Rs. 2000/- a month towards fees and equipment for music lessons. Scholarships would be disbursed and the progress of the students tracked through people identified by the Academy to ensure that the funds are being put to good use. The students would also have the opportunity to visit Bangalore on occasion to take lessons from Hegdeji himself.

Honoring and acknowledging the contributions of great Gurus in the field of Classical Music

The bedrock of the growth and development of our art forms in India has traditionally been the guru-shishya parampara , and this is especially so in music. Over the centuries, this system of learning has had many interpretation – from the days of yore when the students actually lived with and served their teachers, to the modern day teacher-student relationship that places an equally important emphasis on learning. It is therefore beholden to us that we recognize and acknowledge the contributions of our senior artistes and teachers. Towards this, the Academy proposes to honor and felicitate one senior guru and artiste every year.

Having a library comprising of records of Indian music in the form of CD's, books, videos etc

Increasingly, the big record labels in the music industry continue to unearth and restore rare recordings of performances by many of the Old Masters, or renditions of ragas that are not heard so often. But in addition, there are still a large number of resources which lie fragmented in private storehouses, sometimes uncared for. There are also publications and literature around classical music that are available only in select geographies and do not reach the larger audience.

The Academy proposes to aid in this effort by collecting and archiving recordings in the form of tapes, CD's, books, magazines, videos etc. This would be maintained in good condition and be available as valuable references for the students of the Academy.

Promoting Indian Classical music in its intrinsic form both nationally and internationally

There is always some cynicism expressed when people talk about Indian classical music surviving as an art form, but fortunately the people of India and the world continue to provide an atmosphere for the great and abstract arts to survive and thrive even today. However, there is still large scope for taking this art form to a greater number of audiences, and helping build a greater culture of appreciation of classical music. Promotion of classical music also entails sharing of knowledge among musicians and performers who come from varied backgrounds and skills.

The Academy proposes to foster the growth and diversification of Hindustani classical music by organizing lecture-demonstration sessions conducted by eminent artistes, performers and teachers, for the benefit of the students. This would help them to get valuable inputs and additional insights, all of which would enhance their development as musicians.

The Academy also proposes to design and present programs, lectures, concerts, demonstrations etc around Indian classical music, to corporate houses in the country. These programs would serve the dual purpose of entertaining and educating the employees of the company – thereby benefiting the employers, the employees, and classical music in general. Many such programs are currently being designed.

The Academy proposes to sponsor and support performances by Pt Parameshwar Hegde and his accompanists internationally from time to time, in countries and regions where there is great potential for the art form to thrive, but where the local support from Indian communities is insufficient to sustain such programs.

Sponsoring the release of audios and VCD's in its own name

Since its inception, the Academy has already sponsored the release of the audio CD's of two of its students. Going forward, the Academy would identify opportunities for its students and upcoming artistes, and facilitate the recording and release of classical music albums performed by them.