A new academic year and its time for new admissions. Colleges and institutes of music and dance at various places in India offer courses in arts. Admissions are now open at the following institutions:

Certificate courses in Music / University of Madras, Chennai

The Department of Indian Music, University of Madras offers six-month certificate courses in Carnatic, Hindusthani, western classical music, Harikatha and Bhajana and three-month certificate courses in Understanding Music (Hindusthani, Carnatic and Western) and Dance Music (Bharatanatyam).

A one-year P.G. Diploma course in arts, is also to be offered from July 2005. The course is open to post-graduate students of Madras University as well as to other graduates (age no bar). The classes will be held on weekends.

The course includes origin and history of various styles of painting, practical sketching classes, iconography, architecture and archaeology, folk arts, theatre, sites of tourism and art festivals, basics in audio and video documentation and archiving, film music and film analysis.

Courses commence in July. For details and applications contact, Department of Indian Music, University of Madras. Ph: 25368778, Extn 277. Email: guruprema@vsnl.net

Annamalai University / Annamalainagar

Annamalai University (near Chidambaram, south India) offers the degrees of M. Music and B. Music in vocal, veena, violin, flute and mridangam, Bachelor of Dance, title of 'Isaikalaimani' in vocal, veena, violin, flute, mridangam, nagaswaram and thavil, title of 'Nattiyakalaimani', 'Thevara Isaikalaimani', 'Isaichelvamani' and 'Nattuvanga Kalaimani'.

Teachers Training certificate course in Indian Music (vocal) is also offered.

Application forms are being issued from June 6. Last date for receipt of filled in application forms is 1 July, 2005.

For more details and application forms contact the Registrar, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar.

Kalai Kaviri College / Tiruchirapalli

Kalai Kaviri College of Fine Arts in collaboration with the Bharathidasan University offers degree courses in Carnatic Music and Bharatanatyam. From part-time courses and diplomas to Bachelor's and Master's degrees and Ph.D programme in Bharatanatyam, the college now offers an off-campus programme too in Bharatanatyam.

For more info, contact: Kalai Kaviri College, 18, Benwells Road, Tiruchirappalli-620 001, Tamilnadu, South India. Ph: 2401010. www.kalaikavirifinearts.com E-mail:Info@kalaikavirifinearts.com.

Keshava College / Bangalore

Bangalore based Keshava College of Dance and Music, under the management of Samskruthi Bhavan, offers B.A. degree in Carnatic Music and Bharatanatyam. Started in 2004, the college is affiliated to Bangalore University. Admissions are open for 2005-2006.

Contact, Ph: 26669565 / 9448904120. E-mail: keshava_college@rediffmail.com.

Lasya College / Kerala

Kerala based Lasya College of Music and Dance offers degree and diploma courses in Bharatanatyam, Carnatic vocal and mridangam.

The College is affiliated to the Indira Kala Sangeeth Viswavidyala, Khairaghat, Chattisgarh.

For more details on applications contact the principal at Ph: 0497 2801723, Fax: 049 1801004, email: principal@lasyacollege.com

Lasya College of Dance and Music, Pilathara P O, Kannur District
Kerala 670 501.

Padma Subrahmanyam's Nrithyodaya / Chennai

Admissions are open for various courses in Bharata Nrityam at senior dance guru Padma Subrahmanyam's dance school 'Nrithyodaya' in Chennai.

Classes commence in July. Minimum age for admission is 7.

Classical dancers of any Indian dance style can apply for short term advanced training in Bharata Nrityam and special course on 108 Karanas of Natya Sastra.

Application forms (Rs.50/- each) are available between 3 pm and 7 pm at Old No: 6, IV Main Road, Gandhinagar, Chennai-20.
For more info, e-mail: kannanveena@hotmail.com

Diploma in Carnatic Music Appreciation / Bangalore

Srimadvadiraja Nadalaya Center for Arts is starting a new one-year distant learning course titled 'Diploma in Carnatic Sangeetha Shastra and Appreciation'. This course deals with: Theoritical Aspects of Carnatic Music, Composers in Carnatic Music, Appreciating Carnatic Music, Music criticism, Life history of artistes of yester years and their music.

This couse is open to all. No Age limit. No vocal exams only theoritical and Viva exams will be conducted. Qualification in music is not required. Basic knowledge in music is also not necessary. Exam toppers will be awarded a Gold medal.

This is a Course material will be sent by post and exams will be conducted in Bangalore.
Course fee is Rs. 5000/- Course starts from mid-July.

Those interested can contact: Vidwan R. K. Padmanabha, Ph: 26593454,
R. Karthik Hebbar, Ph: 26668614. No. 16, 1'A' cross, J P Nagar 1st Phase, Bangalore - 560078.

Courses at The Music Academy / Chennai

The Music Academy, Madras is conducting the following courses, in vocal and instrumental music:

Vocal:
One year teachers' training course in Indian music.

Two year Pre-teaching course including Lower and Higher grade Govt. examinations.
Two year advanced course (Sangita Ratna)

Instrumental:
Part-time six-year course in mridangam, veena and violin

The directors-in-charge for the instrumental music courses are senior instrumentalists Umayalpuram K.Sivaraman (mridangam), R.Venkataraman (veena) and Dwaram Mangathayaru (violin)

A two-year course in Carnatic music for beginners will also be conducted for children in the age group of 8-15 years.

Applications are being issued from June 1, 2005 at the Music Academy and the last date of receipt of filled in applications is June 12, 2005.

Degree in Choreography / Bangalore

Admissions are open for the three-year Degree course in Choreography and Kathak at the Natya Institute of Kathak & Choreography, Bangalore (affiliated to the Bangalore University).

This performance oriented course patterned by renowned dance guru Maya Rao is based on her experiences and interactions in the Ballet theatres of Europe, U.S.A., U.K., South America combined with her research of the various classical and indigenous dance forms of India. The syllabus includes subjects like Art & history of choreography, aesthetics-Indian & western, mime & movement, stage design, lighting, an in-depth study of the ‘Natya Shastra’.
Admissions close on 15 July 2005.

For details contact: Guru Maya Rao, Director, Natya Institute of Kathak & Choreography, #37, 17 th cross, Malleshwaram, Bangalore-55
Ph: 080 23348645 Email: stemdt@yahoo.com