Swathi Thirunal College of Music

Sri Swathi Thirunal College of Music

ശ്രീ സ്വാതി തിരുനാള്‍ സംഗീത കോളേജ്
Front view of the college
Former names	The Music Academy
Type	Public
Established	1939: The Music Academy 1962: Sree Swathi Thirunal College of Music
Chancellor	K. Vasantha Kumari
Principal	Prof.Vanajam P.S (2009-present)
Academic staff	21[1]
Location	Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India 8°29′23″N 76°57′23″E / 8.48972°N 76.95639°ECoordinates: 8°29′23″N 76°57′23″E / 8.48972°N 76.95639°E
Campus	Urban
Affiliations	Kerala University[2]
Website	swathithirunal.in

Swathi Thirunal College of Music is a music college in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. It was founded in 1939. It was first named as "The Music Academy. The name was renamed as Swathi Thirunal College of Music in 1962. The founder of this institution was the last reigning King of Travancore, Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma in 1939. The administration of the institution was under the control of the Travancore Royal Family earlier. Eminent musicians like Muthiah Bhagavathar who was the first ^[3] Principal, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer etc have served as the Principals of this college.^[4]

The primary objective of this venture was to popularize the kritits of Maharaja Sree Swathi Thirunal. This institution from the date of its inception has produced a lot of talented artists who have contributed much to the realm of Carnatic music.

The institution was renamed as Sree Swathi Thirunal College of Music in 1962. Situated at the heart of the capital city, the institution is one of the prestigious and well managed music institutes of South India.

Courses

Earlier, a three-year certificate course in Music - “Gayaka and Gayika” for male and female students respectively was provided in the Institute. In 1961, a committee, which included eminent musicians and music educators like Mrs. Lekshmi Narayanan Nair, Sri. Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, Dr. Musuri Subrahmanya Iyer and Prof. P. Sambamurthy constituted by the Government of Kerala prepared a comprehensive curriculum and syllabus for the course in this institution. Later “Ganabhooshanam and Ganapraveen”, (four year Diploma course) were introduced. The college was affiliated to the University of Kerala in 1999 and a unique 'Bachelor in Performing Arts' course was initiated.

Presently the college has entered into new avenues, announcing 8 new courses as part of continuing education programme. The courses are meant for those who have an aptitude in learning music, those who would like to go for advanced studies in group kritis, ragamalikas, and ragam-tanam-pallavis and for those who are interested in 'music direction'.

Eminent Principals and Students of the College

Late Dr. L. Muttayyah Bhagavathar was the founder Principal of this esteemed music institution. He was replaced by the great Carnatic Music doyen, the late Sri. Semmangudi R. Srinivasa Iyer. Late G. N. Balasubrahmaniam, Late Chalakkudy Narayana Swami, Late Mavelikkara Velukkutty Nair, Late Mavelikkara Prabhakara Varma, Late Vechur N. Hari Hara Subrahmania Iyer have also served as the heads of this eminent organization. K. Vasantha Kumari is at present the Principal of this institution.

Dr.K.J.Yesudas, Mangad.K.Natesan,Neyyatinkara Vasudevan, Dr. K. Omanakutty, Pudukkode Krishna Murthy, M. G. Radhakrishnan, Raveendaran (Music Director) and Parassala Ravi are some of the illustrious students of this institution. New talents like Kallara Gopan and Panthalam Balan were also the products of this college.

^[5]

Notable alumni

• Dr. K.J. Yesudas – Classical and playback singer.
• Neyyattinkara Vasudevan – Classical and playback singer.
• Raveendran – Film Music composer and singer.
• M. G. Radhakrishnan – Film Music composer and singer.
• Dr. K. Omanakutty
• Pudukkode Krishna Murthy
• Parassala Ravi

References

1. "Departments". Sstmusiccollege.org. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
2. "Affiliated Colleges". Keralauniversity.ac.in. 2013-10-01. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
3. LAKSHMI, DEVNATH. "Genius shining in regal style". Retrieved 8 June 2014.
4. IT Division, IHRD Head office, Trivandrum. "Swathi Thirunal College of Music, Thiruvananthapuram". Retrieved 8 June 2014.
5. "A comprehensive website on the life and music of Swathi Thirunal". Swathithirunal.in. Retrieved 2013-10-20.

External links