They learnt music, dance here

CHENNAI: The second convocation ceremony of the Tamil Music College in Chennai saw 84 students receiving diplomas and four students, their graduate degrees, in their chosen field of study. While 54 students graduated in vocal music, others have completed their study in bharatnatyam, mridangam, violin, veena, tavil and nadaswaram. P Mohan, one of the four who received his degree today, won the gold medal from the University of Madras. All the students have passed with a first class. Dr Sirgazhi Sivachidambaram was the chief guest for the occasion. Speaking at the event, the carnatic vocalist said that the Tamil Music College should soon be developed into a Tamil Music University. He added that the college should soon start offering doctorates. This, he said, would give Tamil music the necessary impetus to grow and develop. He also recalled that his father reputed singer Padma Shri Sirgazhi Govindarajan was an alumnus of the institute and paid his gratitude to the institute that trained the vidwan during his initial years in the field. The Tamil Music College was founded in 1949 as an adjunct evening college to the Tamil Isai Sangam which was established by Dr Rajah Sir Annamalai Chettiar in 1943 to preserve and propagate Tamil classical music. It is the only self-financing college in Tamil Nadu that is dedicated exclusively to the teaching of Tamil music. Starting last year, the college also offers postgraduate degrees in various fields. These courses are recognised by the Government of Tamil Nadu. The students of the Kalloori appear in the merit rolls of music examinations conducted by the University of Madras to which it is affiliated.