Minor in Creative Arts

This course is an in-depth study of the underpinnings of great thought. For centuries certain people were able to achieve unprecedented and groundbreaking results in their respective fields. However, today many disciplines from science to business are finding the pursuit of the extraordinary to be elusive. The aim of this course is to demystify the basics of creativity by comparing historic perspectives with current trends and bringing to the forefront crucial techniques and tools that can unlock creativity. The power lies in rethinking the core components of a creative mind and restructuring them to achieve outstanding results in any field. The masterpieces of Bach, Mozart & Beethoven will provide us a rich framework upon which we will explore the fabric of creative logic.

Music is a language, a form of expression. Comprehension and appreciation of various forms of music will allow a human being’s self expression to take on a rich variety of forms as well. Certain words and expressions don’t exist in some languages and cultures. A multi-linguist, as a result, will have a wider gamut of language and cognitive skills. Some of the greatest actors, singers, intellectuals and leaders are polyglots. Certain musical elements are unique to certain music forms. For example, western musical traditions are rich in harmony, elaborate instrumental orchestrations and symphonic arrangements. Indian music on the other hand has exquisite scales and rhythmic patterns. Our ability to appreciate and understand a wide range of musical forms has a direct correlation to our ability to create rich and universally appealing music. While each musical form has its own strengths – remember that all music traditions have the same fundamental elements. Exploring different genres of music while being grounded in one style and learning how to find harmony while combining different genres of music is crucial to making to good music. This course is aimed at exposing students to various music styles such as Jazz, Blues, Funk, Rock, Carnatic, Hindustani, Western and Middle Eastern. This course will not only help students gain an appreciation of World Music but also allow them to find a sound of their own to express themselves. Emphasis • Learning the fundamentals of harmonies, groove, scales, improvisation, & arrangements • Developing a musical language i.e., sharing ones musical ideas with the co-musicians by jamming • Listening to, reviewing and analyzing the works of great musicians • Learning world music pieces composed by various renowned composers • Creating and performing a final piece by implementing some of the elements learned from the recordings.

Students can select any one-credit course from the CA basket of courses. **Students enrolling for the Minor will need to check with the FICs to find out the Electives on offer in the 2nd and 4th semester of their Minor. **More Elective courses on Theatre, Painting, and Music Appreciation will also be developed in the future.

The past offers generational wisdom. Historic buildings and cities have responded to the natural context and climate by relying on passive energy systems and have had a symbiotic relationship with nature. Around us, in the Deccan, examples abound of simple indigenous solutions that address larger concerns like temperature control, water management and energy efficiency. The course will aim to study and document these systems and find applications for them in the contemporary context. It is intended to use the creative thinking of the students to understand and gauge lessons from the past and find possible solutions for the future.

The aim is to introduce students understand and explore the different types of heroes and heroines portrayed in classical dance. Through this course, students can gain basic knowledge of the classification of the various relationships and societal structures which have been captured in books. We will also explore how basic human nature was explored and documented which are used in Indian dance through characters. Prerequisite is Introduction to Indian classical Dance (CA 1024). Previous experience in dance is not required and students regardless of gender are welcome. Evaluation will be based on attendance, class participation, presentation and final performance. Mridula Anand is a senior dancer with 20+ years of performance experience across the world. She teaches, writes and trains students in Bharatanatyam both in India and abroad. A recipient of 'Yuva Kala Bharati', she introduced podcasts with artists and regularly performs with her students.

Students can select any one-credit course from the CA basket of courses. **Students enrolling for the Minor will need to check with the FICs to find out the Electives on offer in the 2nd and 4th semester of their Minor. **More Elective courses on Theatre, Painting, and Music Appreciation will also be developed in the future.