Lucknow: “Artists from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh and across the world will participate in the 9th Spic Macay International Conference from 20-26 May 2024, hosted by IIT Madras.
More than 1,500 students and volunteers from across India will come to this week-long Mahakumbh of Indian culture and the world will see a unique view of Indian culture, heritage and morality.
Founder person of Spic Macay, Prof. Kiran Seth was staying in Lucknow for the last several days and was engaged in promoting the international conference. Senior IAS in the Directorate of Tourism, presented views under the chairmanship of Mukesh Meshram. In this meeting, the Vice Chancellor of Bhatkhande Sanskriti University, Prof. Mandvi Singh, Prof. from Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University. Venkatesh Dutta, Dr. Rajshree Pandey, Dr. Babita Pandey, Pradeep of Spic Macay etc. were also present.
The august gathering gave away Spic Macay badges as mementos to Venkatesh Dutta, Dr. Rajshree Pandey, Dr. Babita Pandey and others. It was informed that Chennai, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) will host the 9th Annual International Conference of the Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture among Youth (Spic Macay). The event will run from 20 to 26 May 2024. The institute has already organized this event twice – in 1996 and 2014.
This one-week Indian cultural festival will bring together more than 1,500 students and volunteers from India and the world. Participants will get an amazing perspective on Indian culture, heritage and ethics while interacting with great artists. They will spend a week experiencing first-hand the full glory of India’s finest classical arts.
Enthusiastic about the event, IIT Madras Director Professor V. Kamakoti said that culture is the real foundation of a country. We are also proud of the various cultural activities across India. Spike McKay is coming to our IIT Madras campus with all of them. I am eagerly waiting for the event.
Regarding the event, Dean (Students) of the institute, Prof. Satyanarayan N. Gummadi said that IIT Madras is co-organizing the SPEECH MACAY program for the third time. A team of around 150 and more people including faculty, UG, PG students and research scholars are engaged in making this event a success. This will be an opportunity for the IIT Madras community to enjoy a week-long spectacular cultural festival.
Speaking about the highlights of this year’s conference, Spic Macay National President Radha Mohan Tiwari said that Spic Macay is completing its 47th year as a youth movement. IIT Madras has played a very important role in this. We will give each of the approximately 1300 participants coming from across India the opportunity to learn an art every day and experience performances by India’s top artists. I am confident that this convention will be successful in achieving its objective and will bring meaningful change in the lives of the youth.
In this regard, Vice Chairperson of Spic Macay, Suman Dunga said that Spic Macay has four basic foundations – artists, institutions, sponsors and volunteers. A prestigious institute like IIT Madras has played a fundamental role in our campaign. It is among the institutions that boast a vibrant cultural atmosphere and hosts many classical music and dance programmes. We are very happy to organize this event in collaboration with IITM and we wish this relationship to continue like this.
The purpose of this event is to sensitize the new generation about their heritage by giving them a wonderful environment like an ashram. This echoes the core value of Spic Mackey which is to give every child the opportunity to take inspiration from the country and the world and experience mysticism. Spic Mackay aims to reach every child by 2030. The main supporter of this conference is Tata Consultancy Services and it is the flagship event of Spic Mac which is held every year in a premier educational institution of the country.
Like every year, this conference too will feature some of the best and brightest artists from across the country. Hari Prasad Chaurasia (Hindustani Flute), Ustad Amjad Ali Khan (Sarod), Vidu. Padma Subramaniam (Bharatanatyam), Veedu. Sudha Ragunathan (Carnatic singing), Veedu. Sheshampatti T. Sivalingam (Nadaswaram), Vidushi A. Kanyakumari (Karnataka violin), Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar (Hindustani singing), Pt. M. Venkatesh Kumar (Hindustani singing), Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan (Sitar), Vidushi Sunaina Hazarilal (Kathak) Ustad Wasifuddin (Dhrupad), Vid. Jayanti Kumaresh (Saraswati Veena), Vid. There will be performances by eminent artists like Ashwini Bhide Deshpande (Hindustani singing), Sri Margi Madhu Chakyar (Kudiyattam) and scholar Lalgudi GJR Krishnan (Karnataka violin).
There will also be a five-day workshop in the conference. There will be participation of many eminent artists and craftsmen like Carnatic singing by scholar Neyveli Santhanagopalan, Gurbani by Dr. Alankar Singh, Satriya presentation by Guru Gopiram Burha Bhakta, Kathak presentation by Vidushi Sunayana Hazarilal, Mohiniyattam presentation by Dr. Neena Prasad, Vidushi Madhavi Mudgal. Khumukcham Romendro Singh’s presentation Pung Cholom, Tarapad Rajak’s presentation Purulia Chhau, Swami Tyagarajanand Saraswati’s presentation Hatha Yoga, Sudeep Gupta’s presentation Kathputli, Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar’s presentation Dhrupad. There will also be many other craft presentations Such as Ashok Kumar Vishwas’ Tikuli painting (Bihar), Bhajju Shyam’s Gond tribal painting (Madhya Pradesh), Janab Shakir Ali’s Mughal miniature painting (Rajasthan), Janab Abdul Ghafoor Khatri’s lacquer art (Gujarat), Hemchandra’s presentation on mask making ( Majuli Assam), Terracotta (Tamil Nadu) art presentation by VK Munusamy.
