The first registered institute for ethnomusicology in the State will be inaugurated here on November 21 at 6 p.m. at the Indian Institute of World Culture, Basavanagudi.

Founder managing trustee of the Institute of Ethnomusick and angklung artiste Anusuya Kulkarni says, “Our goal is to spread awareness on this branch of music study among Indians, particularly the younger generation.”

Cultural interactions would be a lot more meaningful with the familiarity and comprehension of music, and knowledge of its cultural and ethnic background.

Non-Western

Ethnomusicology, a branch of musicology, is a discipline that is said to have developed after World War II in Western countries because some experts were passionate about studying non-Western styles passed on from generations, especially among the tribal communities. Talking of her own experience with the angklung, Ms. Kulkarni, who has made it to the Limca Book of Records for playing Carnatic style on the rare musical instrument, says she is really happy to know that the Jaganmohan Palace museum has the instrument in its collection, and that it was being used by the police band.

Although she is familiar with the bamboo version of it, which is played in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, the palace, she came to know, had imported the metal angklung with a bamboo resonator, from England, nearly 135 years ago.

Details

She says talks and discussions would be a regular feature at her institute. Those interested in sharing knowledge can call 080 26586826 or 93419-64662. The institute will be inaugurated by vocalist Suguna Purushottam.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> TamilNadu / by Ranjani Govind / Bangalore – November 19th, 2010