SPIC MACAY is a non-political nationwide voluntary movement that organizes programmes of classical music and dance, folk arts, crafts, yog, classic cinema screenings, heritage walks, etc. inside school and college campuses throughout the world to make students more aware about Indian and world heritage. This initiative makes education more holistic and meaningful as it highlights all that is abstract, subtle, inspiring and mystical in the world teaching one to look within oneself. SPIC MACAY runs on the energy of volunteers who come from all walks of life – students, teachers, housewives, professional and retired people, young and old. Nishkam Seva is a key aspect of the movement.
SPICMACAY, The society for promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth is a voluntary youth movement that aims to promote Indian culture through classical music, dance and yoga. It is an organization that strives to sustain the glory of Indian culture and heritage.
Kalamandalam M.P.S. Namboodiri is a septuagenarian and high distinguished Kathakali Assan of Kerala. Initiated at the age of 13, he is a product of Kerala Kalamandalam. He retired as Principal of Kerala Kalamandalam. He was trained under Padmabhushan awardee Ramankutty Nair & Padmashree awardee Kalamandalam Gopi.
He was extensively performed abroad and collaborated with world-renowned theater directions of Denmark, Germany & USA. He has authorized several books and publications. He has received Sangeet Natak Academy award in 2013. He is the recipient of Kalamandalam award in 2007 for the best scholarly book on Kathakali.
The Amrita chapter of SPICMACAY hosted a magnificient Kathakali performance by Kalamandalam M.P.S. Namboodiri and his wonderful tam of artistes from Kerala on 30th June, 2022 at 6:00 PM at Amriteshwari Hall. The ceremony commenced by involving the blessings of the Almighty with a prayer. The Glimpse of the lecture done by Kalamandalam M.P.S. Namboodiri and his team. Mementos and tokens of gratitude were handed over to the artistes and the evening was a memorable one in the calendar of all dance lovers.
The Amrita Chapter of SPIC-MACAY hosted a magnificent Carnatic Flute performance by Smt. Sikkil Mala Chandrashekar accompanied by Shri Idapally Ajith Kumar and Shri KMS Mani on 12th August, 2023 at 6:00 pm at Sudhamani Hall.
SPIC-MACAY (The Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth) is a voluntary youth movement that aims to promote Indian culture through classical music, dance and yoga. It is an organization that strives to sustain the glory of Indian culture and heritage. The prime performer for the day was Smt. Sikkil Mala Chandrashekar accompanied by mridangam artist Shri KMS Mani and violin artist Shri Idapally Ajith Kumar.
The ceremony commenced by invoking the blessings of the Almighty with a prayer by Pranav. Abhimanyu delivered the welcome address. Then followed an introduction to Spic Macay by Abhimanyu and Sheetal. The musicians for the evening were introduced by Sheetal and Abhimanyu. The artistes then indulged the audience in an outstanding performance.
Smt Mala Chandrasekhar started learning from Sikkil Sisters, her aunt Kunjumani and her mother Neela. In playing style, Mala combines the strongest aspects of both Aunt Kunjumani’s clear classic lines with Mother Neela’s flair and expressiveness. Mala imbibed through her mother the flute artistry of their paternal uncle, Azhiyur NarayanaswamyIyer, and the rigorous rhythmic training given by their mridungam-playing father, Azhiyur NatesaIyer. She has also received many more notable awards, most notably the SangeethNatakAkademiPuraskar from the President of India. She is the only senior performing woman Carnatic flute in India.
Sri KMS Mani, is an A graded mridangam artist of All India Radio and Doordashan. He has provided mridangam accompaniment in concerts to many stalwarts like Padma Vibhushan Dr. M. Balamurali Krishna, violin maestro Padma Bhushan Prof T.N. Krishnan, Padmasri Bombay Jayasri, music director Sri M Jayachandran, to name a few. He has been awarded the Aastana Vidwan title by the Kaanchi Kamakoti Peetom. He has also participated in various concerts held abroad.
Sri Edapally Ajith Kumar has been present on the kutcheri circuit for the last 32 years. He started learning violin under Sri. VAnilraj and later continued learning under the tutelage of Guru. Sri. Nedumangadu Sivanandan. He is an A graded artist of AIR. Open to experiments without compromising on “purity”, he has accompanied almost all the leading vocalists in Carnatic music.
Momentos and tokens of gratitude were handed over to the artistes by Dr. Sankaran K, Registrar, Dr. Joshi C Haran of the Mechanical Department and Dr. Shantanu Bhowmik of the Aerospace Department. The event came to a closure with the vote of thanks by Dixita. The evening was a memorable one in the calendar of all Carnatic lovers.
Summary: SPIC-MACAY hosted a magnificent Carnatic Flute performance on 12th August, 2023 at 6:00 pm at Sudhamani Hall. Smt. Mala Chandrasekhar was played flute, Sri. KMS Mani played mridangam. and also Sri Edapally Ajith Kumar performed Violin music. It’s an amazing performance. Faculty, staff and students are delighted.
The Amrita Chapter of SPIC-MACAY hosted a magnificent Carnatic Violin performance by The Mysore brothers – Sri Mysore Nagarajj and Dr Mysore Manjunath and the accompanist’s Sri Arjun Kumar and Sri Kurichitanam S Ananthakrishnan on 8th November, 2023 at 6:00 pm at Sudhamani Hall.
SPIC-MACAY (The Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth) is a voluntary youth movement that aims to promote Indian culture through classical music, dance and yoga. It is an organization that strives to sustain the glory of Indian culture and heritage. The prime performer for the day were Mysore brothers accompanied by Sri Arjun Kumar and Sri Kurichitanam S Ananthakrishnan.
SPIC-MACAY (The Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth) is a voluntary youth movement that aims to promote Indian culture through classical music, dance and yoga. It is an organization that strives to sustain the glory of Indian culture and heritage. The prime performer for the day were Mysore brothers accompanied by Sri Arjun Kumar and Sri Kurichitanam S Ananthakrishnan.
The artistes then indulged the audience in an outstanding performance.Hailed by Pandit Ravi Shankar as the ‘princes’ of Mysore, Nagaraj and Manjunath, popularly known as the Mysore Brothers, have metamorphosed their prodigious talent to blossom into brand ambassadors of Indian classical music. Initiated and trained assiduously by their father, Professor Mahadevappa, they have entertained audiences with their style of playing the violin, a fine blend of technical mastery, adherence to classicism and intelligent innovation.From Sydney Opera House to Federation Square in Melbourne to halls and universities in Tehran, Slovakia and several other corners of the globe, this celebrated violin duo has etched their name enduringly.
Bangalore Arjun Kumar is among the most respected Mridangam artistes of today. He has enthralled music lovers over the past four decades with his inimitable style, novelty, fine aesthetics and precision in creating unabated rhythm patterns through his Mridangam. Born in a family of Mridangam artistes, Arjun Kumar was initiated into the art of Mridangam playing at the young age of five by his father Sri Arjunan, who is one of the very senior artistes in the field of percussion and was later mentored by Sri T. A. S. Mani for a couple of years. Then he came under the tutelage of the mridangam legend, Padmavibhushan Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr. Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman.Being an A-Top ranking artiste of AIR, Bangalore, he has played in all the prestigious programs like The National Program of Music, The South Zone Hook Up and the AIR Sangeetha Sammelan.
Momentos and tokens of gratitude were handed over to the artistes by Dr. Sankaran K, Registrar, Dr. Joshi C Haran of the Mechanical Department and Dr. Shantanu Bhowmik of the Aerospace Department. The event came to a closure with the vote of thanks by Dixita. The evening was a memorable one in the calendar of all Carnatic lovers.
The Amrita Chapter of SPIC-MACAY hosted a magnificent Folk Dance performance by Sri Tarapada Rajak and his team on 19th February, 2024 at 6:00 pm at Amriteshwari Hall.
SPIC-MACAY (The Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth) is a voluntary youth movement that aims to promote Indian culture through classical music, dance and yoga. It is an organization that strives to sustain the glory of Indian culture and heritage. The prime performer for the day was Sri Tarapada Rajak, accompanied by his team –
| 1. | Tamal Kanti Rajak | 9. | Amit Bouri |
| 2. | Prasanta Mahato | 10. | Kartik Sahis |
| 3. | Sadhu Mahato | 11. | Bishnu Sahis |
| 4. | Sanjoy Kalindi | 12. | Goutam Sahis |
| 5. | Amrit Bouri | 13. | Dipak Karmakar |
| 6. | Kirtan Bagdi | 14. | Bibhuti Mahato |
| 7. | Pitambar Mahato | 15. | Sukumar Sahis |
| 8. | Parikshit Mahato | 16. | Nripen Mahato |
The ceremony commenced by invoking the blessings of the Almighty with a prayer by Ms. Hridhya- [CB.EN.U4ECE22121]. Ms. Sheetal-[CB.EN.U4EEE21046] delivered the welcome address. Then followed an introduction to SPIC-MACAY by Mr. Abhimanyu-[CB.EN.U4AEE21002] and Ms. Sheetal. The artists for the evening were introduced by Ms. Sheetal and Mr. Abhimanyu.
The artistes then indulged the audience in an outstanding performance.
Sri Tarapada Rajak completed his BA from J.K College in Purulia and started learning Chhau at age 22 from his elder brother, Guru Bikal Rajak, who learnt from Kalipad Mahato of Haramjanga in Purulia district, West Bengal. He was encouraged by his parents, Late Dandu Rajak & Late Baisakhi Rajak to pursue this art form. He is passionate about the art & is known for his perfection & innovations in Purulia Chhau dance.
Sri Tarapada Rajak has created many performances around stories based on the Puranas, Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Kalika Purana. His favourite is the depiction of Mahishasurmardini. He has painstakingly trained & built up a large troupe of upto 35 members. He has performed in every state of India & abroad in Norway.
Chhau Dance is a genre of Indian tribal martial dance popular in the Indian states of Odisha, Jharkhand & West Bengal. Chhau dance is mainly performed during regional festivals, especially the spring festival of Chaitra Parva which lasts for 13 days, in which the whole community participates.
Chhau blends within it forms of both dance & martial practices employing mock combat techniques, stylised gaits of birds & animals & movements based on the chores of village housewives. It is performed by male dancers from families of traditional artists or from local communities & is performed at night in an open space, to traditional folk music played on reed pipes. A variety of drums accompany the music ensemble including the dhol, dhumsa & kharka. The themes for these dances include local legends, folklore, episodes from the Ramayana & Mahabharata & other abstract themes.
Mementos and tokens of gratitude were handed over to the artistes by Dr. Shantanu Bhowmik of the Aerospace Department. The event came to a closure with the vote of thanks by Mr.Arun- [CB.EN.U4ELC21008]. The evening was a memorable one in the calendar of all Folk Dance lovers.
