Here is some good news for more than 10,000 students, who want to take the Special Music and Tala Vadya exams. The state government on Monday directed the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board (KSEEB) to conduct the exam some time in November, this year.
In February last year, the responsibility of conducting the exam was entrusted to the Karnataka State Dr Gangubai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University, Mysore. However, it is learnt from reliable sources that the university has asked the KSEEB to conduct the exam this year, citing lack of preparation, infrastructure and shortage of staff among other reasons.
“We have received orders to conduct the examination this year. A total of 45 centres all over the state have been identified. We have introduced Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheets to collect details of the students. The OMR sheets will be posted to the centres within ten days. The final date of the examination will be decided after we get all the details. The exams will mostly be held in November,” a senior KSEEB official told Express on condition of anonymity.
The KSEEB was conducting the exam in a routine manner. As the exam touches upon higher levels of music learning, it was deemed fit to hand it over to a University. Students have been
left in the lurch as the university has conveyed to us its inability to conduct the exam this year, the official added.
The exam covers the Dakshinadi (Caranatic) and Uttaradi (Hindustani) forms of music. The exam also involves various instrumental and dance forms. The exam is conducted for the junior grade, senior grade and Vidwath or proficiency grade.
Music University vice-chancellor Dr Hanumannanayaka Dore declined to comment on the matter and said, “I don’t know about this. Please contact the KSEEB.” Other university officials were unavailable for comments.