The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) is set to host the Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music And Culture Amongst Youth's (SPIC MACAY) 9th Annual International Convention from May 20th to 26th, 2024. The event, which has been held twice in 1996 and 2014, is a week-long festival of Indian culture that brings together over 1,500 students and volunteers from across India and the world. The convention is open to school and college students who have registered for the event, with their accommodation and food provided free of charge.
Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, expressed his excitement about hosting the event, stating that culture is the spine of every country and that SPICMACAY brings all of these cultural activities to the IIT Madras campus. The SPIC MACAY Newsletter May 2024 issue focused on the 9th International Convention can be viewed and downloaded from the following link.
The event will feature various activities such as classical music and dance concerts, folk performances, crafts workshops, movie screenings, heritage walks, Shramdaan, early morning yoga, and eating holistic food. The National Chairperson of SPIC MACAY, Mr. Radha Mohan Tiwari, highlighted the unique aspects of this year's convention, stating that SPIC MACAY has completed 47 years of its journey as a movement of the youth, with IIT Madras playing a crucial role in providing everything free to all participants.
Ms. Suman Doonga, Vice Chairperson of SPIC MACAY, stated that SPIC MACAY stands on the shoulders of its four main pillars: Artists, Institutions, Sponsors, and Volunteers. IIT Madras, an eminent institution, is one of the few institutions that has a vibrant cultural scene and hosts several classical music & dance events.
The convention aims to create a unique ashram-like atmosphere to leave an impact on the new generation, aligning with its core purpose of having every child experience the inspiration and mysticism embodied in Indian and World heritage. The main supporter of this convention is Tata Consultancy Services.
The convention will also feature five-day long workshop intensives by eminent artists and craftspersons, such as Carnatic Vocal by Vidwan Neyveli Santhanagopalan, Gurbani by Dr Alankar Singh, Sattriya by Guru Gopiram Burha Bhakat, Kathak by Vid. Sunayana Hazarilal, Mahiniyattam by Dr Neena Prasad, Odissi by Vidushi Madhavi Mudgal, Pung Cholom by Khumukcham Romendro Singh, Purulia Chhau by Shri Tarapada Rajak, Hatha Yog by Swami Tyagrajanand Saraswati, Puppetry by Sudeep Gupta, Dhrupad by Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar, and different types of craft intensives.
SPIC MACAY is a 47-year-old volunteer-based, apolitical, non-profit organization working to enrich the quality of formal education among adolescents and youth by raising awareness about various aspects of Indian heritage and motivating them to imbibe the values contained therein.
BalaSarvesh
BM Correspondent