This is a self-financed course. It follows a credit-based system in the semester pattern. The syllabus is performance oriented and offers subjects right from the basics (adavus) to abhinaya, dance items of the Bharatanatyam repertoire, history of dance, dance music among other subjects.

Prof. C.V. Chandrasekhar (who has been appointed as the Tagore Professor at the University of Madras), Prof. Sudharani Raghupathy and other senior dance gurus, performers and scholars would be the guest faculty.

The University has alloted 30 seats for this course. Eligibilty to apply: Those who have an undergraduate degree in any subject, with a five-year training in dance under a reputed guru or those with a diploma in dance from a reputed institution can apply.

The Department of Indian Music, over the past several years, has been offering M.A., M.Phil and Ph.D in Music. Admissions are open for these courses too. Those interested can contact the Head, Dept. of Indian Music, University of Madras for more details. Ph: 044-25368778.

Short-term certificate courses:
The Department of Indian Music, University of Madras, is introducing six-months Certificate Courses in Carnatic Music, Hindustani Music, Western Classical Music and in Harikatha and Bhajana, for the first time from July 2004. This is being introduced under the Industrial Consultancy Programme of the University Industry Community Interaction Centre (UICIC).

The Certificate Course in Carnatic Music is structured to facilitate learning from the basics upto Ragam, Tanam, Pallavi. This is an intensive course, which will focus on excellence in performance which in due course will make any graduate to be eligible to take an M. A. in Carnatic Music.

Certificate course in Harikatha and Bhajana:
This course is being introduced to create and revive an interest in Story telling, Harikatha. Ethical, social, epic, patriotic and secular themes will be taught for the well being of body-mind, social awareness, literary and heritage richness of India. Story telling of other Indian States and World Cultures will also be taught.

Congregational singing - Bhajana, is unique in comprising of songs rendered in nine Indian languages, composed by many saints from 5th century A.D. Devotional Music and Folk songs such as Laali, Oonjal, Gummi, Kolaattam, with authentic style of rendition will be taught by experts besides songs in Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Hindi and Bengali.

Classes will be conducted twice a week, from 5 pm to 7 pm. and on Saturdays to benefit the members of the Corporate Sector, teachers of schools and colleges, upcoming professionals, housewives and any aspirant.
Eligibilty to apply: Candidate should have passed Higher Secondary Examination (+2).

The Department of Indian Music also offers three-months certificate courses in 'Understanduing Music' and 'Dance Music - Bharatanatyam'.

Admission is open to candidates who have passed the Higher Secondary Examination conducted by the Government of Tamil Nadu or an examination accepted by the Syndicate of the University of Madras as equivalent thereto; Students studying in Undergraduate courses in affiliated colleges or through correspondence; Minimum age for admission is 18 years completed as on 1 July of the concerned academic year in which admission is sought.

Contact the Department of Indian Music, University of Madras, for further information. Applications are being issued now. Commencement of courses is July 21, 2004.