Striking the right note:
The City of Joy is all geared up for news that’s music to the ears. The Shakhri Begum Trust, a foundation dedicated to the art of imparting the best in Hindusthani Classical Music is all set to launch its unique new initiative – The Fifth Note. Pioneered by Indian Classical Music doyen Ustad Rashid Khan, The Fifth Note (TFN) is the first of its kind endeavour to harness a
nd identify musical talent as also to sculpt performance-ready musicians from those that choose to take advantage of this never-before opportunity. With the formal launch slated on October 13, 2016, TFN is getting ready to provide a sneak peek to what’s in store in a precursor scheduled for the 5th and 6th of October, 2016. At the core of the new initiative is an appeal to revive the purest form of Indian Classical Music. This takes its roots from the Gurukul Parampara where the Guru-Shishya bond was revered and accepted as the authentic and true essence of learning what is not merely music but an extension of life itself. As times have flown, music has become easier, accessible and unfortunately adulterated with too much convenience and gadgetry. We are in the times of picking up lyrics and sur off the internet and showing up in shows and hitting the stage without the firm foundation that the Gurukul was known for. And yet expectations have reached an all time high, where parents spend fortunes on providing the best of facilities and children feeling the pressure of aspirations that include fame, success and fortune. It is in these times, that The Fifth Note can be change-maker, bringing fresh hope and replenishment in a time-starved society where talent is hidden in every nook and corner. This is not to say that TFN is going back in times to stay there. The Fifth Note is in fact at par with the changing times, and uses techniques to reach out to today’s youth, speaking their language and appealing directly to their musical sensibilities. 5th and 6th of October will see a bevy of masterclasses to be conducted by musical maestros from across the country. Candidates will be in for a time of their lives as they will be taken through the intricacies of classical music, instruments and percussion by those who have proven themselves in each field. This is a rare opportunity to see, learn and interact with celebrities up and close, thus benefitting from their years of knowledge and experience. The TFN precursor will take participants through what music means in today’s times, which is not only the ability to stay in sur and tal. Performance is a holistic art and TFN is dedicated to churn out industry-ready musicians with the right temperament, attitude and poise to handle the highly competitive music scene of today. Care will be taken to cover aspects of soft skills and etiquettes which include stage presentation, microphone handling and many such details that makes one stand apart from the rest. The maestros with their practiced eye and experience will be able tell the performers apart and hone them to their fullest potential. TFN is ready to bust some well-kept myths of the music industry, one of which places doubts on choosing music as a career choice. It is time to remember and remind that music, indeed is a viable career choice – one that is backed by talent, experience and hardwork. Given the right ingredients, TFN hopes to raise employability of budding musicians manifolds by suitable training and identification of individual merits. The choice of featuring maestros from diverse fields bespeaks the idea of laying out opportunities for every form of music – whether it is instruments or vocal. No talent left out or unidentified will ultimately create an informed resource house of talented musicians that will spell wonders for the country’s overall music scene. As music literacy and the right way to impart it remains one of the main concerns of this new initiative, it has opened registrations to all, with no reservations on how much you have progressed in your musical career till date. Talent is the pearl in the oyster shell that it is on the lookout for and the stage is beautifully set for it. Have a taste in music or you well into your career with your academics well in place? Are you the performer waiting for the biggest break of your life? TFN is you and anybody like you who is waiting to break into song. If there’s a singer or a sitarist waiting in you, just call...... and show up for the exclusive masterclasses on 5th and 6th o
