02 February,2013 12:34 AM IST | | Ruchika Kher
By adopting the guru-shishya (teacher-disciple) tradition, Mumbai-based Kamakshi and Vishala Khurana, who are part of a musical project, The Sound Space, established Gurukul, a program to introduce the magic of Indian classical music and traditions in a fun and child-friendly fashion to children.
"The beauty of Indian art and culture has evolved through honouring the guru-shishya tradition. This sacred bond has the ability to sanctify our fast paced lives. Gurukul gives this unique gift to every child through a beautiful experience with sur, taal and laya," says Kamakshi.
Teaching âem young
She adds that through Gurukul they encourage children to imbibe Indian aesthetic values and a discipline of the arts that has always been an integral part of the education inu00a0our country.u00a0Gurukul involves a three-month Master Class. The final event, which will be held tomorrow, will be a one-and-a-half hour performance byu00a0the children.
"Our vision is to demystify Classical music - to make it approachable and understandable. The thought of a lineage of gurus, each generation inspiring the next, gave us the idea for Gurukul. Through this performance we wish to express not only to children, but also to the audiences, the importance of the arts and their discipline," informs Vishala.
The age group of children, u00a0who can sign up for Gurukul is seven to14 years. Apart from the Gurukul module, they also offer workshops for children from 1.5 to six years, u00a0as well as for adults, under The Sound Space.u00a0
Music for the mind
Although kids who are inclined towards music are the ones who enroll for the master class, we quizzed the sisters about how easy or difficult it is to handle kids when inculcating something so complex u00a0in them.
"We believe that once a rapport is built with children, it's not too difficult to deal with them. Also, techniques used to teach an art of this kind can help to make the learning experience easier and approachable, which helps retain the attention of the child," explains Vishala.
Finally, telling us more about The Sound Space, Kamakshi reveals, "This is an endeavour that takes you on a journey of the phenomenal world of sound. Along with a miraculous power to heal, sound has the capacity to influence every aspect of a human being - from the time of conception. At The Sound Space, special and unique methods of training that are simple to grasp and easy to relate to, u00a0are used."
On February 3, 6.30 pm
At Experimental Theatre, NCPA, u00a0Nariman Point.
Tickets Rs 500
Call 22824567
Log on to www.thesoundspace.in