Ramjas faces the music
TNN | Jun 28, 2007, 12.00 AM IST
Aspirant
singers practicing in the lobby, judges, lots of rejections, few approvals! This
is not a selection set for Indian Idol or Sa Re Ga Ma... This was the scene on
the first day of music trials in Ramjas College for the Extra Curricular
Activity (ECA) quota.
Almost 250 hopeful candidates competed for these quota seats on Monday. Most have even been learning music - some for the past 7-8 years.
Almost 250 hopeful candidates competed for these quota seats on Monday. Most have even been learning music - some for the past 7-8 years.
They
were carrying certificates bearing the names of impressive music schools, from
Gandharva Mahavidyalaya to music schools abroad.
Some
have had personal training. Some have never even been formally trained. But they
all had one thing in common - hope, that their talent will get them an
admission. Says an aspirant, "I scored only 79 per cent. I will never make it to
a good college. People have told me that I sing well so I decided to give it a
try. Who knows, I might get plain lucky."
There were serious contestants too. Sanam Puri, a St Columbas passout, who participated in both western and classical segments, said, "I've lived in India and Dubai, and learnt western music in Dubai. I have sung for the classical round and now I am waiting to sing an Italian song called Sere Nere."
There were serious contestants too. Sanam Puri, a St Columbas passout, who participated in both western and classical segments, said, "I've lived in India and Dubai, and learnt western music in Dubai. I have sung for the classical round and now I am waiting to sing an Italian song called Sere Nere."
Sanam
along with his younger brother has formed a band called Sanam and showed us
their visiting card.
The fact is, due to the highly popular talent hunt shows on TV, the number of students aspiring to be singers has increased.
The fact is, due to the highly popular talent hunt shows on TV, the number of students aspiring to be singers has increased.
Also,
college bands like Parikrama winning international acclaim has added to the
popularity of music in colleges.
According
to Ramjas principal Rajendra Prasad, "There's a visible impact of these reality
shows. Five years earlier, the total number of students applying for music seats
was 40-50. This year, it has risen to 250. The students are far more serious
about music now."
Two per cent of the seats in the college are reserved for admissions through the ECA category.
Two per cent of the seats in the college are reserved for admissions through the ECA category.
The
ECA category includes music, dramatics, fine arts, choreography and literature.
According
to Manuj Rajput, president of the music society, "I have told the college
authorities that we need six people in the music society. Our selection will
have two rounds and the final list will have around 20 students. The final list
will also include a waiting list, in case some students join another college."
The waiting list seems to be a smart move, since most students present have applied in as many colleges as possible. Ramjas is one of the first colleges to kick off the music trials.
The selection had different categories like classical and western and subcategories like vocal and instrumental. According to Rajput, "The selection is made keeping in mind our need for a singer, a guitarist, a tabla player, a keyboard player, etc."
The waiting list seems to be a smart move, since most students present have applied in as many colleges as possible. Ramjas is one of the first colleges to kick off the music trials.
The selection had different categories like classical and western and subcategories like vocal and instrumental. According to Rajput, "The selection is made keeping in mind our need for a singer, a guitarist, a tabla player, a keyboard player, etc."
He
adds, "We have a college band called Zingaro. If we get enough talented students
in the western and classical category, we could form a fusion band."
So, as they say, play on, guys!
So, as they say, play on, guys!