Veteran musician Ashok Patki, known for the thousands of ad jingles and numerous soundtracks, announced the opening of a fresh new learning opportunity for those interested in light, semi-classical Hindustani music (sugam sangeet). His new initiative, Sanchari Gurukul, aims at bringing back the traditional guru-shishya parampara in teaching music.
The gurukul, named after a part of a song which comes just before the antara, will serve as an opportunity for Punekars who are interested in honing their singing skills. “This is a new initiative that will help singers in learning the technique behind performing and provide them with a better understanding of the form,” said Rupali Bidwai, the director of Sanchari Gurukul.
Enlisting the salient features of the institute, she adds, “There will be daily riyaaz and Ashok Patkiji will personally be at the gurukul to guide the students. Besides him, various other renowned singers will visit the gurukul and have sessions with the students.” The institute will also introduce its students to the dynamics of a studio so as to shape the students into becoming complete artistes.
Students will be selected via auditions which will be held on two consecutive weekends (July 20-21 and 27-28) at its premises in Kothrud. The selected candidates will then begin the course on August 4, when the gurukul will be formally inaugurated by Suresh Wadkar. With a wide age limit ranging from 10-45, interested students can apply for one of the two batches (8am-12pm and 4pm-8pm) which will take place daily.
Speaking about the purpose of this initiative, Patki says, “I have conducted various short term workshops in Mumbai, Pune and Goa and the feedback received made me think that I should come up with a more extensive course which will provide a holistic understanding to my students.”
