IIT Kanpur’s new Cell for Appreciation and Promotion of Art Culture and Heritage – APPROACH to bolster synergy

Kanpur : The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, in its bid to promote art, culture and heritage, has established a new cell named “APPROACH” (Cell for Appreciation and Promotion of Art Culture and Heritage) under the Office of Dean of Students Affairs. The Cell has initiated Associate Membership for all who are willing to be part of the endeavour. The primary objective of the cell is to undertake activities that promote holistic development of students as well as the campus community.
The committee, comprising IIT Kanpur faculty, staff, students, and representatives of the campus community, will ideate, operate and manage the activities of the cell. Several programs are being planned, which will be rolled out in the coming semesters as well as summer and winter holidays.
“Cultivating respect and admiration for our collective heritage, art, culture, and inheritance is at the core of APPROACH’s mission. Through diverse group activities in music, art, and heritage, we aim to provide participants with exposure and engagement that fosters deeper appreciation. We envision to bolster the synergy between creativity, art, and academic achievements,” says Prof. Sameer Khandekar, coordinator of the Cell.
The programs that are being planned include music baithaks/lec-dems/art-appreciation workshops, heritage tours for students to Kanpur city and adjoining areas, art exhibitions/music/art lessons, demonstrations/workshops by local artisans, and informal and formal art and culture appreciation sessions/talks, etc.
For a country that values multi-faceted creativity as a crucial component of success, the APPROACH Cell at IIT Kanpur is invested in nurturing creative talents and providing the right ambience for their promotion and development.
The Cell has launched an introductory Certificate Course on Art Appreciation – Hindustani Classical Music, with the objective to familiarize the basics of Hindustani Classical Music. Anyone with a zeal to learn music is eligible to join this two month course that will run from May 15-July 14, 2023. Dr. Devanand Pathak will spearhead the course, which comes with nominal fees for IITK residents as well as outside participants.
The course will offer a comprehensive understanding of the nuances of Hindustani Classical Music and will prepare the learners for the next step. All the participants will be given certificates of completion by the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE), IIT Kanpur. For more information on the course – https://www.iitk.ac.in/cce/courses/23-24/art-appreciation/