The famous Sarada Sangeetha Kalasala, the only government-run music college in the entire Rayalseema region is dying a slow death with its instruments lying in shambles. Besides inadequate staff, the college suffers from a major fund crunch. Apart from being unable to pay electricity bills, it has failed to repair the damaged musical instruments or replace them with new ones, stated a report by The New Indian Express.
The beginnings and its offerings
Sarada Sangeetha Kalasala, which operates from a decrepit rented building, was started in 1973 in Kurnool to impart free music classes to people across Rayalaseema districts. Though the first batch was started with just 50 students, the numbers have now increased to more than 350.
The college offers several four-year certificate courses and two-year diploma courses in dance and song, including classical and traditional. However, the courses high on demand are the ones which involve the use of musical instruments such as violin, veena, naadaswaram and dole. But the college has neither staff nor adequate equipments for the students to learn.
Lack of instruments and faculty
Of the 25 violins, 15 have not been functioning. So is the state of other musical equipment as well. Of the 15 pianos, six have not been operational. All the 20 veenas and six doles haven't been functioning either. The college has no facility for special music boxes. "There is a need to repair them or the same number of instruments should be purchased immediately for the faculty to take classes,'' said a teacher.
The lack of adequate faculty has added to the appalling state of affairs. Of the principal and 10 teaching staff, apart from one theory teacher, all others have been hired on a contract basis. In fact, there is no regular watchman, an attender or a clerk to maintain the records. The accountant and other staff posts have been lying vacant for the past two decades, which has impacted the functioning of the college.
Students speak
N Murali Krishna, a student, said, "It's not worth attending classes without basic facilities. The college management has not been able to organise programmes that could motivate us. At least two programmes with experts need to be organised in a month for the benefit of the students."
The student narrated his ordeal saying that some of them buy their own instruments. "With no other option left, we are forced to buy our own instrument and bring it to the college,'' he added.
Another student Chandrasekhar said the official apathy and indifference has left the college in a state of neglect. "Though we are eager to learn music, the college is not encouraging us as it does not have the requisite equipment and faculty,'' he explained.
What the principal has to say
Speaking with The New Indian Express, college principal C Muni Kumar said five trainers were recruited on contract basis recently. The building rent was paid recently and nearly electricity bill worth Rs 50,000 is pending, he added.
"There has been no regular recruitment since 1995. There is a need to provide sufficient facilities and instruments to the students,'' he admitted and said they have submitted proposals for staff and funds to the higher officials.
