As part of its efforts to produce an intellectual environment conducive to innovation and radically new approaches to learning, teaching and research, IIT Hyderabad integrates into its curriculum courses in the Fine Arts and the Performing Arts, unified under the rubric of "Creative Arts". If our undergraduates can expect to take courses in Signal Processing or Fluid Mechanics, they can also expect courses like "Introduction to Theatre," "Singing Kabir with Prahlad Tipaniya" or "Introduction to Pottery and Ceramics" to turn up on their course registration portal. These extremely popular courses are offered by reputed practising artists from India and abroad rather than full-time academics, so that students can have a hands-on encounter with the arts outside of typical textbook-oriented teaching and learning environments. Currently, students choose from a wide range of 1-credit courses every semester, covering core areas like painting, sculpture, music, dance, theatre, photography, film-making, creative writing, and visual design.
Since 2009, IIT Hyderabad has regularly offered undergraduates a chance to earn credits in the fine arts. The programme began with courses in photography taught by the celebrated photographer Navroz Contractor. In Fall 2013, through the institution of a Fractal Academic Programme, Creative Arts courses became essential components of the BTech curriculum at IIT Hyderabad; renowned actor and director MK Raina offered our first 1-credit CA course as part of Fractal Academics that semester. Students in all four years of their BTech programme now opt for one or more Creative Arts (acronymously called CA) courses every semester. While CA courses are mandatory for undergraduates, other members of the IIT Hyderabad community-including students enrolled in Masters and Doctoral programmes, faculty, staff, and their families-frequently make use of their standing invitation to participate in these courses.
This course is offered by Purvadhanashree, the award-winning Bharatnatyam dancer, who is also an important practitioner of the rare Vilasini Natyam. This course will introduce the fundamental principles of Indian Classical Dance through Bharatnatyam. This course will be a good complement to CA 1014 Exploring the Performance Spectrum, which goes beyond Indian forms and integrates Western classical and contemporary modes as well. Evaluation will be based on attendance and group performances.
Offered by Shalinee Kumari, an upcoming traditional Madhubani artist who has also been trained in the Mithila Art Institute, this course will introduce students to one of the most vibrant folk art traditions of India and Nepal. Evaluation will be based on attendance and progress.
Through the dance form of Odishi, students will be taken through a gamut of artistic experiences in dance, music, theatre, poetry, and painting.
• The five oldest existing companies in the world are all located in Japan. The traditional Japanese calendar, beginning with its first emperor, is 660 years older than the Western calendar. • Throughout history, Japan continues to amaze the world with its sumo, samurai, ninja, geisha, anime, manga, video games, etc. • In this course, students will learn about the fascinating aspects of Japanese culture and the society that has created it. • At the end of each class, a simple Japanese conversation lesson will be held as a supplement.
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.
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.
Haripriya Narasimhan
Email: fic.ca@la.iith.ac.in