Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in Delhi and Pune also offers various courses in both the vocal and instrumental genres of Hindustani classical music. Other well-known institutes include the Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra in Delhi and the Shivaji University in Kolhapur.

Job options
Though the range of professional options for students opting to take classical music is not so wide, you could always become a compos er, lyricist, music publisher or music journalist. That is if you are not interested in becoming a performer (vocal or instru mental). Says Professor Gita Paintal, Dean and Head, Fac ulty of Music and Fine Arts, University of Delhi, "Sever al opportunities exist like
teaching, working in television or radio. However, I must say that classical music is witnessing a very negative trend. It has taken a back seat to pop and hiphop. In fact, light music is being given more priority. And therefore, even genuinely talented students are afraid to choose a career in classical music."

Adds Shobha Deepak Singh, Director, Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra, "Hindustani classical music offers a plethora of career opportunities if one is serious enough to pursue them. And if you are talented enough, then you tend to find a godfather or a godmother who can guide you. But a lot needs to be done on the part of society and centres like us to bridge the gap and promote young performers.

Problems aplenty
The decreasing number of faculty members at institutions means that the amount of individual attention required to train professionals is missing. Faculty members also attribute the increase in the theoretical course content to the decrease in the number of performing artistes graduating from academic institutions. A basic fact that a number of aspiring artistes ignore is that a strong base in classical music can easily help them diversify into becoming music composers, artistes in an orchestra or even part of a live band. "A student should possess the passion and the zeal to learn this form of music. You can get into teaching music, which is one of the career options available. However, another area that is attracting attention these days is playback singing. To day artistes earn more and this may be due to the fact that the government has been taking measures to help this art form survive. Look at the large crowds that classical music concerts in places like Khajuraho attract,'' says Madhup Mudgal, Principal, Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Delhi.

Abhishek Sharma, an aspiring tabla artiste who is learning the instrument from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, feels that a career in classical music can become monetarily rewarding only after a certain level. "I have been learning the tabla for the past eight years and now, after years of hard work and struggle, I am able to demand what I feel I deserve for my performance," he adds.

Suggestions anyone?
 So what can be done to preserve our traditional musical heritage? Compulsory music classes right from the school level can help revive the lost art, say some.

"A little more interest and initiative is needed on the part of the government in terms of granting scholarships to deserving candidates," feels Paintal. Equal importance must also be given to this form of music on the radio and television, are some other suggestions.