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Bid to revive dying performing art forms
Casting Music, a 47-minute film by Bangalore-based film maker Ashok Maridas, was screened at Sanatkada on Sunday. Organised by India Foundation for the Arts (IFA) in association with Sanatkada Ka Adda and Bhatkhande Music Institute (Deemed University), the film is based on musical instrument Nadaswaram performers.
Speaking to HT City, Ashok Maridas says, “Nadaswaram, somewhat like shehnai, is played in marriages and when for installation of idols of deity in temples down South. It is played by members of barber community (now known Savita Samaj). There is a strong contradiction that on one side they are considered very auspicious and given social privilege when they play the instrument and on the other hand they are considered a kind of untouchables.” The youths are now not leaning the art and find profession of barber more money making and respectful.
Retired director of ITC Sangeet Research Academy and vocalist Amit Mukherjee, during his address, talked about the situation in North and how sehnai too is now fading away.
Casting Music has been funded by IFA during under research programme informed Sumana Chandrashekar. “We are an art funding organization and support practice, research and education in the art in India. In North, we are currently supporting the Launda Naach project,” she says.