| It hardly needs to emphasized that higher standards of excellence in every field of activity are possible to achieve only with the help of regular research which more or less has become an essential, ingredient of a sound knowledge base of chosen subjects in the present fast changing world where information technology is virtually re-writing the history of human endeavour and excellence.
With this in view, the Pracheen Kala Kendra has set up a separate research wing which is engaged in collecting some of the rare compositions of old masters of Indian Classical Music and Dance and innumerable Ustads and Gurus who form the core of the cultural heritage. These are sought to be preserved in original form, yet recasting the material to make it more suitable for the contemporary learner. It also provides necessary guidelines to the students for advanced studies in their respective field.
The Research Wing of the Kendra also undertakes projects on folk music and folk dances of different regions, states and territories and thus helps in highlighting the immense wealth of Indian folk arts and culture besides bringing into focus different dimensions of the rich cultural diversity. The Pracheen Kala Kendra has already completed some of the research projects including one pertaining to Folk Music and Folk Dances of Kullu and Kangra valleys of Himachal Pradesh at the instance of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi which was highly appreciated by the Department of Culture, Government of India, a seven day Punjab Folk & Tribal Arts Festival; aimed at reviving and promoting the folk arts and culture of the state of Punjab. In 1994, the Kendra organised a series of All India Kathak Seminar-cum-Dance Festivals in seven state capitals to focus the attention on three Gharanas of Kathak known as Jaipur Gharana, Lucknow Gharana and Banaras Gharana.
Eminent Exponents and academicians from all over the country, known for their knowledge of Kathak dance, came together for the first time in this national level event and evaluated in their own way the past, the present and the future prospects of this classical dance form of northern India which has attracted audience all over the world now. Demonstrations by leading Kathak dancers supplemented the discussions during seminars. Needless to emphasise that the All India Kathak Seminar and Dance Festival was very well received by the public and the media. The Pracheen Kala Kendra has decided to preserve the papers read and valuable discussions that followed at the Kathak Seminar in book form for the benefit of students and scholars of Kathak dance.
The Kendra has plans for holding such seminars and initiating similar projects for those regions of the country where folk and tribal art traditions are rich enough for research. All such projects are undertaken by the Kendra in collaboration with the central or state governments or cultural institutions working for this. It has a trained work force like investigators and researchers to undertake data processing, statistical analysis, consolidation and compilation of reports. These are made available to concerned central or state governments for a follow up action to develop the arts and culture of the particular area in the context of findings of research. |
