Transforming the social fabric of India through its culture and the arts
Baithak Foundation
ALIGNED WITH OUR VALUES
Indian Classical Music has always been for classes rather than masses irrespective of economic status. Even religious festivals play Bollywood songs, local language movie songs, as they appeal to the listeners and are constantly played on radio.
BF nurtured Baithak from its inception in 2015, as it aimed to take Indian Classical Music to all.
Music appreciation and training sessions
Mahashivratri Concert
COLLABORATION
Baithak organised live concerts at low-income schools to create an awareness and interest in Indian Classical Music among school children. Most students were completely engaged during the performances and were eager to know more about the art forms. They interacted with the artists, asked questions and clarified doubts. One performer said that this had been her most satisfying and fulfilling performance.
Music Appreciation and Training sessions were held at the Sunrise community centre and the Deep Griha community centre where children/youth are trained in vocals and instrumental music. This included showing films and teaching deep breathing exercises and ‘Omkar’. Through music appreciation and learning, Baithak team worked on values like patience and silence as these in turn lead to improved concentration, observation and feelings of gratitude.
The Blind Girls’ School, Pune is well known for nurturing talents in visually challenged girls, who in the past have won multiple competitions for their musical performances. The Baithak Trainer worked with 20 students appearing for the advanced level Gandharva Sangeet Mahavidyalaya exams teaching them the subtle aspects of music, which will help them if they wish to make a career in music.
Baithak’s scope of work also included developing content and teaching aids required to teach Indian Classical Music in schools and publication of a set of illustrated books on the lives of various musicians from India.
Hrishikesh Centre of Contemporary Dance, Pune
The Prayatna Film & Dance Festival brings together a lineup of traditional and contemporary Indian artists, and celebrates their work. In 2019 we supported the 10th edition of the festival that inspired people to relook at dance through movements. At this festival, Hrishikesh Pawar’s team brought in artists who would collaborate through their specialisations to present a variety of movements. A special focus was given to the traditional art form of Puppetry, whose movements have now found their way into contemporary dance as well.
Young children from the DeepGriha Society (An NGO working for underprivileged children) along with 28 participants from the “Dance for Parkinson Project” brought to light some very inspiring stories.
We also supported a community program that looks at dance as a medium to transform lives. It is offered 6 days a week, to the disadvantaged & marginalised, young or old. The outcome was an hour long performance, “And So I Dance!”, by dancers aged 10 to 91!
Arya Sangeet Prasarak Mandal, Pune
2012-14
aBansuri sponsored a program for young and talented Indian musicians undergoing extensive training in Indian classical music.
