Benaras Gharana Baccha (Children) Project

Gharana is a traditional style and way of teaching and performing Indian classical music. This tradition is many hundreds of years old and has been passed from master to student, from generation to generation. There are many Gharanas or styles, one of the most prominent being Benaras Gharana. It is also called Varanasi Gharana. Over the years Benaras Gharana has produced many outstanding vocal, instrumental and dance Performers.

 

 

Like many traditions, this tradition and the great musical heritage it has given to India is threatened due to the lack of dedicated teachers and students. The Guru (teacher)-Shishya (student) relationship which was the hallmark of this system is breaking down. If this tradition is not maintained, very soon it will exist only in textbooks. Pandit Shivnath Mishra and his family have descended from a prominent musical lineage of Benaras Gharana going back several generations. In order to preserve this heritage, so precious to India, and make it accessable to children, Pt. Mishra and his family decided to create the "Benaras Gharana Baccha (Children's) Project.

 

The aim of the Academy is to:

1. Establish a school for the teaching of Indian Classical music in the traditional Benaras Gharana style;

2. Provide scholarships to children to assist them in their learning of this musical style;

3. Create opportunities for students and young artists to develop their potential through study and performance;

4. Provide right livelihood for qualified and dedicated teachers.

 

For this purpose the Mishra's family purchased land in Benares and the school building was completed in January 2007.

 

This will be a long-term and ongoing project. Your financial assistance and creative participation is most welcomed and appreciated.

The Academy is registered as a charitable non-profit society under number V23536-2000.

Donations may be sent to:

Academy of Indian Classical Music
Bank of India,
Varanasi. Main Branch. (U.P. India)
Account No. 26526
Our address:
D-44/182 Ramapura Varanasi - 221001 (U.P. India)
Tel/Fax - 0091-542-2455672