Art smart: Apeejay, Pitampura conducts online workshops with SPIC MACAY

Revisiting India’s rich culture and heritage from home is possibly one of the best ideas to beat the pandemic blues. Taking a break from their online classes, Apeejay School, Pitampura students brightened up the ongoing festive season by learning from distinguished personalities of Indian art and culture: Padam Shri Anwar Khan Manganiyar ji, Rajasthani folk musician and National award winner artist Purna Chandra Moharana.

In a series of online workshops at Anubhav-3, the art and culture festival of SPIC MACAY (Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth), the school hosted two workshops for five days each. The Rajasthani folk music workshop by Mangniyaar ji along with two of his disciples Shri Roshan Khan Ji and Shri Bhugda Khan Ji enchanted the students. It also enlightened them about folk songs, piquing their curiosity to learn about India’s music history. The students were taught to improve their vocal skills and voice quality while singing folk songs, and make use of the correct pronunciation and regional dialect.

At the Pattachitra art workshop conducted by Moharana ji along with his disciple Meghna Moharana, students got to pick their favourite paint brushes and try Tosser painting and palm leaf carving, among other art forms. They were trained to extract and work with natural colours made of customary stones. As the master artist deftly moved his brush, students were left awestruck to witness a beautiful painting created in no time. Over five days, each student created one Pattachitra of their own by consistently interacting and receiving guidance from the guru virtually.  

At the closing of the two events, Dr. Kiran Seth, Founder, SPIC MACAY, addressed the virtual gathering, elaborating upon the need to preserve folk music and spread awareness about Indian culture. The workshops, which witnessed participation from students across India, were a mesmerising and enriching experience for all.

“Art is a language which knows no boundaries, it expresses emotions of an artist be it music or dance. An artist fears none and flies to the horizons he defines.”

-Ms. Veena Goel, Principal, Apeejay School, Pitampura