[Reader-list] Kalkeri Sangeet Vidyalaya in Dharwad

[Chintan]

Excerpts from
http://www.youngmusiciansoftheworld.org/index3_e.php?section=school&page=e_kalkeri

*Kalkeri Sangeet Vidyalaya*

Since the inception of this project, the aim of Kalkeri Sangeet Vidyalaya
has been to help children from humble backgrounds to create a brighter
future, groom high quality musicians and contribute to the conservation and
diffusion of the India’s vast musical heritage.

Today, the school provides food, shelter, health care, clothing, as well as
musical and academic education to about a hundred children, all free of
cost. The organization has been more than greatly encouraged by the high
level of interest, enthusiasm and talent for music and other skills
demonstrated by these keen young students.

Founded in November 2002, Kalkeri Sangeet Vidyalaya is located in a quiet
valley near the city of Dharwad in Karnataka State, South India. Established
on five acres of land a short distance from Kalkeri village, the school
consists of simple buildings made from traditional materials such as bamboo,
timber and earth (bricks and tiles). The climate is temperate and
drinking-water resources are plentiful. In this peaceful setting, about one
hundred children enjoy the tranquillity necessary for musical practice and
study. A professional and dedicated team sees to their physical and
psychological welfare and development.

More than a school, Kalkeri Sangeet Vidyalaya is a living and working ideal,
where the students can blossom and realize their full potential. KSV
endeavours to combine the better parts of two worlds; on the one hand,
tradition is taught through the ancient disciplines of Indian classical
music and Hatha yoga, whilst on the other, the students are engaged in a
modern educational program with English as its main means of communication.
Computer studies is also taught which will prepare the children to meet the
demands of today’s rapidly evolving world.

In its early development, only limited resources were available to the
school. This situation made it difficult to earn the trust of local people,
in particular that of the parents. The simple conditions at the school, as
well as the presence of Westerners at the heart of the project, aroused
suspicions. However, the school gradually built an excellent reputation. The
children attended their classes regularly and gave highly praised musical
performances. Now perfectly integrated with its environment, the school
provides food, accommodation and clothing as well as musical and academic
education to approximately one hundred boys and girls. The same number of
names are on the school’s waiting list.

Our students, aged between six and eighteen years old, come from some of the
many different communities that exist in Northern Karnataka, thus creating a
real cultural mosaic: Lingayats, Marathas, Sunni and Shiites Muslims,
Gowlies and Lambanis are but a few examples. This multi-cultural group of
students, together with the staff and volunteers use a variety of languages,
Kannada, Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, Lambani, Urdu, Irani, English and French
are all spoken at KSV. These courageous and ambitious youngsters all come
from rural and urban areas of Karnataka where access to holistic education
is limited.

Initially, the students for KSV were chosen regarding their backgrounds.
This was done so as to maintain one of the fundamental goals of the project:
diminishing social inequalities. A second selection spontaneously occurred
between the students possessing the will to undertake nine hours of music
and academic studies on a daily basis, and the others. The students residing
at KSV are therefore all genuinely motivated and passionate about music and
understand the value of education. It is important that cooperation is
maintained with the parents; this is crucial in maintaining the children’s
motivation as they progress through their studies. The rapidly increasing
demand for admission means that we have to use new and more precise criteria
for admission.

For more, visit
http://www.youngmusiciansoftheworld.org/index3_e.php?section=school&page=e_kalkeri