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The convention is to be held at the IIT campus in Kharagpur from June 3-9, 2018.

 

According to the organisers, Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Among Youth or SPIC MACAY is making commendable strides to spread, promote and inculcate classical arts through classical music, dance, folk art, handicrafts, handlooms, photography, cinema, and heritage tours  at home and abroad.

 

The movement was started by Dr. Kiran Seth in 1977.

 

“These conventions are held to spark and ignite the right catalyst in young minds and keep them connected to the vast, rich and varied world of Indian classical art forms and heritage. And the last four decades has seen this movement go from strength to strength. It's very encouraging and reassuring to find  several generations of volunteers who have willingly and enthusiastically  embraced the SPIC MACAY  movement,” said  Dr. Kiran Seth. 

 

Dr. Seth described it as an educational movement as he felt academics focused on information, information and more information.  

 

 

The gathering was addressed by Dr. Kiran Seth, Prof Abhijit Mukherjee and Prof Anandaroop Bhattacharya of IIT Kharagpur , Indrajit Sen, President Designate, the Bengal Chamber and Past President Bengal Chamber, Sandipan Chakraborty. 

 

SPIC MACAY coordinator from West Bengal, Amal Mukherjee and his team addressed the media.

 

Prof. Rama Seth, who organised the first convention in IIM, Kolkata, said, "Many know that music has a great contribution to holistic development of children and its well established fact but not much is done about it. SPIC MACAY works in such a way that inspirational greats are brought and exposed to children and young minds and inculcate the spirit of Volunteerism." 

 

Prof. Abhijit Mukherjee of IIT Kharagpur said that around 1500 delegates are expected this year with 60-70% from schools, 15-25% from colleges and universities and about 10-20% SPIC MACAY volunteers.

 

“The convention will include about 40 intensives, 17 classical music and dance concerts, 1 cinema classic and one theater by Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar called "Kaifi aur main" Performances include spiritual, folk, puppetry and talks. Total number of artists and accompanists are about 250,” said Prof Anandaroop Bhattacharya of IIT Kharagpur.

 

Stalwarts who are expected to participate in the week-long convention are Padma Bhushan Begum Parveen Sultana, Sangeet Kala Nidhi Awardee Ravi Kiran on Gotuvadhyam from Chennai, Padma Bibushan Pandit Jasraj, Padmashree Pt. Ulhas Kasalkar from Pune, Padmashree Utsad Wasifuddin Dagar, Padma Bhushan Sudha Raghunathan (Karnatic vocal), to name a few.

 

President Ram Nath Kovind is scheduled to attend the inaugural ceremony on June 3.