Lata launches 8-domed international music academy

Apr 12, 2013 IANS

Pune, April 12 (IANS) The Vishwashanti Sangeet Kala Academy, an international music education institute, was inaugurated here Friday fulfilling a dream by the late actor Raj Kapoor.

Inaugurated by Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar at the sprawling 125-acre campus, the VSKA is situated around 25 km on the outskirts of the Maharashtra's academic and cultural capital.

The building has a unique architectural design - eight domes, seven symbolizing the seven ragas of Indian classical music, and the eighth central dome symbolizing 'Om', the first word in the universe.

Inaugurating VSKA, Lata, who is also its chairperson, said: "The seven domes dedicates to the seven notes of music is an immortal sculpture, which has mesmerised my heart."

VSKA's general secretary Adinath Mangeshkar said music is not merely an art, but a pathway to connect with god, who guides both musicians and spiritual aspirants equally.

"Here, we shall exercise every effort for preservation and conservation of Indian traditions of music. We will impart training and education in Hindustani as well as Carnatic forms of music besides which an opportunity to learn 160 instruments from all over the world will also be available on this campus. The best thing is this can be achieved while acquiring the formal traditional education," Adinath, son of Hridaynath Mangeshkar said.

Vishwanath Karad, founder and president of the MIT Group of Institutes, fondly recollected how the late actor Raj Kapoor was definitive that his treasured land in Rajbagh would only be used by the MIT for setting up an education centre.

"What better way than to have Lata Mangeshkar render her support and expert mentorship to the students of VSKA," Karad said.

The institute will house musical instruments from 160 countries which would be made available to the students who will learn in the traditional 'Guru-Shishya' style here from August this year, said spokesperson R. Ruikar.

The glittering event at Rajbagh was attended by Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Usha Mangeshkar, Meena Khadilkar, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Padma Bhushan Mohan Dharia, Babasaheb Purandare, Zia Fariduddin Dagar, Annasaheb Dange and Karve Guruji and others.