Symposium: Learning and Dissemination of Knowledge in Arts – A Critical Focus on Guru Shishya Parampara

INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) and Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) are pleased to present a two-day symposium titled “Learning and Dissemination of Knowledge in Arts: A Critical Focus on Guru Shishya Parampara Through the Ages”. Scheduled for 25th and 26th October 2024, this symposium will bring together scholars, practitioners, and experts to explore the Guru Shishya Parampara, a time-honored tradition of mentorship in the arts, and its relevance today.

Symposium Highlights

• Day 1: Baithak on Performing Arts
  The symposium begins with a traditional Baithak, moderated by Ms. Gunjan Joshi (UNESCO ICH Facilitator), bringing together renowned Gurus from the field of Classical and Folk Performing Arts to discuss the Guru Shishya Parampara. This session will be followed by a panel discussion led by Ms. Nerupama Y. Modwel, Principal Director of INTACH’s ICH Division, addressing key themes such as pedagogical shifts, challenges in arts education, and the future of arts transmission in modern times.
• Day 2: Panels on Arts Pedagogy and Visual Arts
  On 26th October, the symposium expands to address critical issues in arts pedagogy, exploring concepts like class, caste, cultural capital, and identity in both performing and visual arts. The day includes a film screening of “The Disciple” (2020), directed by Chaitanya Tamhane, followed by a discussion with the filmmaker. Additional sessions will feature Kathak dance, Hindustani classical music, and insights from experts in Indian miniature painting and modern visual arts.

Session Details

• Session 1: Film Screening – The Disciple
  A screening of the acclaimed film The Disciple (2020), followed by a discussion with the director Chaitanya Tamhane. The film delves into the life of a classical music aspirant and the challenges he faces in pursuing excellence within the Guru Shishya Parampara.
• Session 2: Perform… or Else: Addressing the Rigour in Classical Arts
  This session critically examines the rigor in classical music and dance pedagogy, featuring perspectives from filmmaker Chaitanya Tamhane, Prof. Brahm Prakash, and practitioners like Siddhi Goel and Vidya Rao.
• Session 3: Studio as School – Tracing Visual Art Pedagogy
  The panel will explore the evolving visual art pedagogy, drawing from the experiences of artists and art historians such as Preeti Bahadur, Kalam Patua, and Roobina Karode, focusing on the significance of the student-mentor relationship in visual arts.

Key Topics

• Guru Shishya Parampara in Classical and Folk Arts
• Art Pedagogy: From Gurukul to Modern Institutions
• Challenges in maintaining oral traditions in the digital age
• Social issues like class, caste, and gender in art transmission
• Visual arts education and its continuity from traditional to modern schools

Why Attend?

This symposium is an unmissable opportunity for artists, educators, researchers, and art lovers to engage with the cultural heritage of India, learn from esteemed gurus and experts, and participate in critical discussions on the evolution of art education.

Venue: Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA), Saket, New Delhi
Dates: 25th & 26th October 2024