The Department of Vocal Music, Rabindra Bharati University holds a two-day international seminar in Kolkata on ‘The Impact of Nature and Environment on Music’
Kolkata, March 24, 2018: The Department of Vocal Music, Rabindra Bharati University organised a two-day international seminar on ‘The Impact of Nature and Environment on Music’ at the Dwarakanath Mancha of its Jorasanko Campus on March 22 and 23, 2018.
Day 1: March 22, 2018
The seminar was inaugurated – and thereafter, addresses delivered – by Prof. Dr. Debasish Mondal, Dean, Faculty of Fine Arts, Rabindra Bharati University, Prof. Dr. Goutam Nag, Department of Instrumental Music, Rabindra Bharati University (who also delivered the keynote address), Prof. Dr. Asit Ray, Department of Music, Rajshahi University, Bangladesh, Pt. Anindya Banerjee, Dean of Academics, The Fifth Note (TFN), and Prof. John Thorpe, Guest Professor, Department of Music, Rajshahi University, Bangladesh, who also presented a piano recital.The speakers gave numerous examples of how nature and environment have had an impact on music.
The objective of organising this seminar was to make present-day students and scholars realise, and rethink about, the importance of nature and environment in the Indian cultural heritage of music.Papers and abstracts based on twelve different sub-themes of ‘The Impact of Nature and Environment on Music’ were presented on both the days. The sub-themes were: Inclusion of Nature – Elements in Music; Impact of Environment on Music; Supportive Elements Apprehended from Nature for Creating Music; Indian Cultural Heritage of Introducing Nature in Music; Values of Nature and Environment in Music; Music as a Creator of Intellectual Environment; Music, a Unifying Force of Diversified Environment; Philosophical Significance of Music and its Effect on Environment; Creative Force and Artistic Merit of Music: A Gift of Nature; The Vedic Idea of Nature and Music; Important Role of Music on Social Environment; and Contribution of Nature in Creating Music.
Day 2: March 23, 2018
As a part of the seminar, there was a musical programme on the second day with a vocal musical recital of Biplab Mukherjee, with Pt. Subhen Chatterjee on the tabla and Hiranmoy Mitra on the harmonium. Biplab Mukherjee he presented Vilamvit Khayal, a Thumri in Mishra Pilu, Tarana in drut teen taal and concluded his recital with a soulful rendition of Mira’s bhajan Aliri mere naina baan padi. It was followed by the flute recital of Pt. Ronu Majumdar, with Rohen Bose on the tabla. Pt. Ronu Mazumdar began his recital with a composition based on Raag Nageswarawali. Then he played a short Rupak in teen taal and concluded the evening on the lilting note of a Pahari dhun. On this day, certificates were given away to all presenters of papers and abstracts at this two-day seminar.
Welcome addresses on both days were delivered by Dr. Kankana Mitra, Seminar Coordinator and Teacher-in-Charge, Department of Vocal Music, Rabindra Bharati University, as also a vote of thanks at the end of the two day seminar.