About 400 school students from different schools of Ahmedabad immersed into melodious tunes of Satvik Veena by the Tantri Samrat Pandit Salil Bhatt and to the renditions of the legendary Vocalist Vidushi Meeta Pandit and also took the pledge to preserve and take forward the heritage of music at ‘Benu Heritage’, India’s biggest and first – ever initiative of orienting school and college students to the rich tradition of Indian Heritage Music, organised in Ahmedabad at Thakorbhai Desai Hall.
Talking about the initiative, Vidushi Smt Padmaja Chakraborty, President of Benu said, “Inspired by the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to preserve and give impetus to our cultural heritage, we intend to re – define the course and promote Indian Heritage music. Now on, BENU will work with an ‘Institutional Approach’ and reach out to the youths in schools and colleges whereby we act as their partner and expose them to good quality Indian Heritage Music. Till now, there was no opportunity for the young minds for such an experience. We want the young generation to take up the mantel of preserving our rich traditional heritage, so that they will be able to preserve our rich heritage only when they get to know the right value. Though a small step, this effort will be a vital step to strengthen our cultural heritage.”
‘Benu Heritage’ was organised by BENU, a non-profit organisation promoting Indian Culture and Heritage in the field of Heritage Music, Dance, and Art along with Matrix Freight Systems Private Limited, India’s fast growing freight management Company.
The Concert was inaugurated by the School Teachers present on the occasion along with an eminent vocalist Vidushi Smt Padmaja Chakraborty, President of Benu, Mr Jayanta Rey, Managing Director of Matrix Freight Systems Private Limited.
Benu has organised Benu Heritage Musical Concerts in three cities of Mumbai, Ahmedabad and New Delhi. In the New Delhi edition, the legendary Indian Classical icons Tantri Samrat Pandit Salil Bhatt and legendary Vocalist Vidushi Meeta Pandit rendered soulful melodies that oriented the school students to the glory of Indian Heritage Music.
Benu has created a musical platform of Benu Heritage with an objective to take Indian Heritage Music to the school and college level students by enlightening them about the rich tradition and quality of music. It intends to give the future generation a plethora of artists through this initiative.
As a part of the initiative, BENU will associate with participating schools to impart Heritage Music training to the students at least once in a month.
Smt Chakraborty added, “Indian Classical Music is not taught at a school level largely and Benu intends to contribute here. With a large number of latent talents, we are sure that our efforts will develop likings among a large number of youths and students. This would help to generate cultural shift towards Indian Heritage Music over the next few years. We shall organise Heritage Music programme in educational institutions, provide training and guidance and other necessary aspects related to music.”
Talking about the need to bolster the culture of Indian Heritage Music and support such an initiative, Mr Sudhir Dey, Director of Matrix Freight Systems Private Limited said, “In India, cultural nationalism is proud of its linguistic heritage, culture and the diversity. But, at the same time, there is a need to protect, preserve and nurture our rich cultural Heritage Music. Unless we logistically channelise our roots to the Heritage Music and our heritage, it will be very difficult for us to stand apart and position our identity in days to come.”
