Indian music is an important part of Indian cultural heritage. Right from the Vedic period to contemporary times, music plays an important part in the Indian cultural and social arena. Due to its depth and unique soothing effect on the mind, this art has been recognised and respected throughout the world.
Today it is no more considered as merely a hobby. Owing to the growing demand it has become a full-fledged profession involving its own sets of challenges. It has opened its vistas not only in the area of professional performance, but also in the area of academics as new avenues for studies in music are growing day by day.
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is a frontrunner in identifying opportunities and designing suitable programmes for the benefit of the variety of demands of the student community. To meet the demand of studies in various Indian art forms, the idea of a School of Performing and Visual Arts at IGNOU was initiated in 2007. Finally in February 2009 the school became fully functional with the newly inducted faculty.
Presently among many other programmes, the School of Performing and Visual Arts provides a broad perspective with a particular focus on Karnatak Music to learners
