Lucknow: Bhatkhande Sanskriti University, Lucknow, hosted an insightful special lecture on “Indian Art and Culture” at the Rai Umanath Bali Auditorium, bringing students and research scholars closer to the depth, diversity and enduring relevance of India’s artistic and cultural traditions.
The lecture was delivered by Dr. Kiran Seth, Chairman of SPIC MACAY, who engaged the audience with reflections on Indian classical music, cultural traditions and the values embedded in the country’s artistic heritage.
The programme began with a warm welcome to Dr. Seth by Prof. Mandvi Singh, Vice Chancellor of Bhatkhande Sanskriti University, who presented him with a bouquet, memento and angavastram as a mark of respect. Welcoming him to the university, Prof. Singh expressed her gratitude for his presence and recalled her longstanding association with SPIC MACAY.
Highlighting the organisation’s contribution to taking Indian art and culture to younger generations, the Vice Chancellor said that connecting youth with Indian music and cultural traditions is an important need of the times. She observed that a deeper understanding of India’s musical and cultural heritage among young people could further enrich and strengthen the country’s cultural landscape.
Prof. Singh reaffirmed the university’s commitment to the preservation, promotion and wider dissemination of Indian art and culture, particularly among the younger generation.
Addressing students and research scholars, Dr. Kiran Seth offered an in-depth perspective on the richness of Indian music and cultural traditions. He emphasised that Indian classical music should not be viewed merely as a form of stage performance, but as a way of life and a discipline rooted in dedicated practice.
According to Dr. Seth, the practice of classical music begins with discipline itself, including the manner in which a learner sits, listens and approaches the process of learning. He cautioned against reducing music to performance alone, stressing that its deeper dimensions include discipline, contemplation, reflection, perseverance and values.
Encouraging students to develop a deeper relationship with Indian music, Dr. Seth said that understanding the tradition requires more than simply listening to performances. He urged young learners to incorporate the essential values of Indian culture into their lifestyle, food habits, way of living and thought process.
In an inspiring message to the students, he said, “You have to become Tansen, not Kansens.” The remark underlined his call for active learning and dedicated practice rather than remaining merely passive listeners. He encouraged students to continuously reflect upon, practise and internalise whatever they learn.
The lecture also highlighted the role of institutions such as SPIC MACAY in creating meaningful cultural engagement among young people and helping traditional art forms remain relevant to contemporary generations.
University Registrar S.P. Singh noted that Bhatkhande Sanskriti University has an MoU with SPIC MACAY, through which the university continues to receive support for the training, promotion and development of Indian music and arts.
The programme was attended by Prof. Srishti Mathur, Head of the Department of Vocal Music; Manoj Kumar Mishra, Head of the Department of Percussion; Gyanendra Dutt Bajpai, Head of the Department of Dance; Manjul Pant, Assistant Professor of Dance; along with faculty members, research scholars and a large number of students.
The lecture provided the university community with an opportunity to engage with the deeper philosophical and practical dimensions of Indian music and culture. Students and research scholars described the session as highly inspiring and valuable, particularly for its emphasis on discipline, practice, cultural rootedness and the need to carry India’s artistic heritage forward to future generations.
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