SPIC MACAY, also known as Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth is a non-political, nationwide, voluntary movement. It organises programs of classical music and dance, folk arts, crafts, yoga, classic cinema screenings, heritage walks, lecture demonstrations, workshops and talks inside school and college campuses throughout the world to make students more aware about India’s rich cultural heritage. This initiative makes education more holistic and meaningful as it highlights all that is abstract, subtle, inspiring and mystical in the world, teaching one to look within oneself. The NMIMS Navi Mumbai Chapter of SPIC MACAY organised its inaugural event on 13 March 2020 with a mesmerising performance by sarod virtuoso Shri Pradeep Kumar Barot accompanied by Shri Santosh Mishra on tabla. The music lovers of NMIMS Navi Mumbai were treated to an exceptional performance that exhibited their magical skills to the audience.
The event started with a ceremonial lighting of the lamp followed by the NMIMS Anthem. Shri Barotji opened the session with an introduction to the technicalities and structure of the sarod, patiently explaining how the different components work together to produce different sounds. He gave a a brief insight into the ‘Time Theory of Raag’ in Hindustani classical music. He started with a composition or bandish in the Bhimpalasi raag followed by a composition in Patdeep raag. Both these raags are meant to be performed in the afternoon. He concluded his performance with a dhunset in raag Kafi. He was supported brilliantly by Santosh Mishra, who complemented the sombre, meditative tone of the sarod with the steady rhythms of the tabla and together, they delivered an enthralling performance that left everyone humbled and awed.
After the performance, SVKM’s NMIMS Navi Mumbai’s Director, Dr P N Mukherjee addressed the audience and expressed his sincere gratitude to the artistes and to the SPIC MACAY coordinator for Navi Mumbai, Mrs Shweta Puri, for bringing such renowned musicians to our campus. As the audience dispersed, they were left with a new found respect and appreciation and fascination for Indian classical music.
