GUJARAT UNIVERSITY
AHMEDABAD
UPASANA
UPASANA RANG MANCH
ABOUT UPASANA
Upasana School of Performing Arts is an endeavor of Gujarat University. It has been started with keeping in mind the changing cultural scenario and seeing to the demands of today's youth for literacy in culture. Upasana School of Performing Arts in the Gujarat University has uplifted the level & aesthetics of education giving it as artistic approach and openness. Art has no barrier & we have also seen that through art, especially performing arts, education can be demonstrated & explained even better.
Upasana School of Performing Arts is an endeavour of Gujarat University founded 2011. Upasana has opened its doors for young aspiring artists who can pursue their masters in Hidustani Classical Vocal, Tabla, Sitar, theatre, Kathak and Bharat-Natyam.
The entire department is headed by Dr. Viraj Amar Bhatt, leading disciple of Padma-Bhushan Pts. Rajan Sajan Mishra. She herself is a renowned Hindustani Classical Vocalist of high caliber, an international performer and Gujarat Gaurav Puraskaar awardee. She has very lovingly nurtured the department since its inception.
The educative journey of masters at Upasana exposes the students not only to the theoretical and practical aspects of post graduates learning, but also exposes the students to maximum performances, workshops, seminars and symposiums for participation and one to one interaction with stalwarts, experts, Gurus and renowned artists in the field of Performing arts. The faculty consists of highly skilled Gurus and teachers in the respective field.
Objectives:
To run Masters and short term courses in performing arts from the centre leading to awarding Master degree, diplomas and certificates.
To increase knowledge, awareness and interest amongst the students in all the fields of performing arts by inviting maestros for interactive sessions with students
To provide opportunities for performances and training for other institutions, government, semi-government and non-governmental organizations
To initiate and develop projects for demonstrations and research
To run and maintain a reference centre with books, periodicals, films, videos and other audio-visual material.
To print and publish pamphlets, educative materials for the promotion of the centre
To organize lectures, seminars, workshops, debates, symposiums and other relevant programs in arts
To interact with educational or other institutions in any part of the world having objectives wholly or partly similar to those of the centre.
Courses offered at Upasana
FIVE YEAR INTEGRETATED COURSE(B.P.A.+M.P.A.)
1 Vocal 2 Percussion 3 Non –Percussion Eligibility Criteria: 4 Kathak 10 +2 from any Board 5 Bharatnatyam 6 Thetre
MASTERS IN PERFORMING ARTS
1 Vocal Eligibility Criteria: 2 Percussion A Bachelor degree in 3 Non –Percussion any field plus minimum 4 Kathak FIVE years experience 5 Bharatnatyam in the chosen field 6 Thetre
Short Term Courses:
1 Sound Engineering 3 Months Shri Ramesh Tale 2 Studio Techniques 3 Months Shri Ramesh Tale 3 Music Appreciation 3 Months Dr. Smt. Viraj Amar Bhatt 4 Theatre Production 3 Months Shri Chintan Pandya
CERTIFICATE COURSES: (6 Months)
No Course Name No. of Fees Examination Admission Stude Pattern Criteria Faculty nts 1 Haveli 15 12,000 At the End of 10th Pass H.H Sangeet the Course Abharan Goswami, Shri Niraj Parikh 2 Lok Sangeet 15 12,000 At the End of 10th Pass Shri the Course Yogesh Gadhvi 3 Art, Artists 15 20,000 At the End of 12th Pass - and Event the Course Management 4 Sangeet 4 All 10 20,000 At the End of BPA or Vidushi Collaborative the Course Equivalent Saskia Rao- Teacher’s de Haas Training Program
FACULTY OF UPASANA:
DR. SMT. VIRAJ AMAR
CHIEF CO- ORDINATOR’S PROFILE
Dr. Viraj Amar is Hindustani Classical Vocalist and the senior disciple of Pts. Rajan-Sajan Mishra, the acknowledged maestros of the Benaras Gharana. As Gujarat’s most promising Hindustani Vocal artist, Dr. Viraj is committed to the cause of upholding and promoting India’s rich musical heritage. She is at present, working as the founder Director & Chief Coordinator of Upasana School of Performing Arts, Department of Performing Arts- Gujarat University. She is a “Gujarat Gaurav Puraskar” awardee. She is an “A” Grade Artist of All India Radio and Doordarshan. She has been the Executive member and General Council member of national body of Sangeet- Natak Academy since- 2015.
Panel Gurus At Upasana :
Padma Bhushan Pts. Raja-Sajan Mishra: Hindustani Vocal
Pts. Raja-Sajan Mishra are doyens of Benaras Gharana and acclaimed as Musicians and Performers of highest repute.
Pts. Raja-Sajan Mishra have been associated with Upasana since 2011 as Panel Gurus. They regularly take workshops with the students of Upasana.
Su.Shree Saswati Sen: (Kathak- Dance)
Saswatiji is the senior most disciple of Padma Vibhushan Pt. Birju Maharaj. She is herself a Sangeet-Natak Academy awardee and extremely popular performer and a Guru. She has been associated with Upasana since 2011 as Panel Guru and regularly conducts workshops at Upasana.
Expert Faculty:
Smt. Manju Mehta: (Sitar)
Smt. Manju Mehta is a top Grade Artist of All India Radio and Doordarshan. She is senior disciple of Pt. Ravi Shankar. She has been associated with Upasana since 2011 as Advisory Member, Expert and teacher. She is the managing trustee of “Saptak School of Music”.
Shree Vishnu Sahay: (Tabla)
Shree Viashnu Sahay is chief exponent of Tabla of Benaras Gharana.
Dr. Sandhya Purecha: (Bharat Natyam)
Dr. Sandhya Purecha is a renowned Dancer and a scholar in the field of Bharat Natyam.
Shri Raju Barot: (Theatre)
Shri Raju Barot is a renowed theatre Actor and Director. He has been associated with Upasana since 2017.
Dr. Mahesh Champklal Shah: (Theatre) Dr. Mahesh Champklal Shah has been associated with Upasana since 2011 as Advisory Member, Expert and teacher. He has been Ex. Dean of Theatre Department of M.S. University, Baroda.
Dr. Rajesh Kelkar: (Hindustani Vocal) Dr. Rajesh Kelkar is Head of the Department of Vocal M. S. University, Baroda and Vocalist of high caliber.
VISITING FACULTY AT UPASANA:
VOCAL:
Shri Niraj Parikh Shri Mahendra Toke Dr. Shwetketu Vohra
Shri Vaibhav Dave Smt. Janki Mistry Shri Shirish Pandit
Smt Dharti Mehta
TABLA:
Shri Munjal Mehta Shri Sapan Anjaria Smt Hetal Mehta Joshi
THEATRE:
Shri Ashish Ketkar Shri Shrikant Bilgi Shri Chintan Pandya
Shri Satyendrasinh Parmar Shri Chetan Daiya
KATHAK:
Smt. Ishira Parikh Smt. Harsha Thakkar Smt Raina Parikh
BHARATNATYAM:
Smt. Nirali Chandan Thakore Smt. Sarmishtha Sarkar
ALUMNI:
Satyendra Parmar: Theatre and TV artist, runs his own theatre group
Gopal Barot: Theatre and TV artist
Ujas Chavda: Tutor at Gujarat College theatre department
Bhumik Trivedi: Tutor at Gujarat College theatre department
Chetan Daiya: Theatre and TV artist
Parmeshwar Sirsikar: Theatre and TV artist, former faculty member at JG college of Performing Arts theatre department
Parv Tapodhan: Recording artist and learning sitar under Pt. Basant Kabra
Janki Mistri: Running her own music classes
Pranav Pandya: working as a tutor and tech-staff in Saptak School of Music
Pratima Anandjiwala: senior disciple of Smt. Manju Mehta and working as a tutor in Saptak School of Music
Varsha Gandhi: senior disciple of Smt. Manju Mehta and working as a tutor in Saptak School of Music
Gaurav Pathak: Violin tutor and a Freelancer recording artist
Raina Limachia: Performer in the dance group of Smt. Ishira Parikh
Kalrav Dave: Running his own dance classes and a freelancer
PERFORMANCES AND ACTIVITES OF
UPASANA SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS
Workshop of Pt. Rajan Mishra Lec-dem of H.H Goswami Gokulotsav Maharaj (In collaboration with Vallabh Sadan Trust)
Workshop of Pt. Vishnu Sahay
PERFORMANCES IN COLOBARATION WITH SANGEET NATAK ACADEMY FOR BEGUM AKHTAR FESTIVAL
Performances at Gujarat University Programs
At Premiere of “Karsandas Pay & Use” with Chetan Daiya & Shri Nimesh Desai
Bhavai Workshop with Shri Janak Dave
VISION
To establish a National Centre for preservation & promotion of classical, traditional & contemporary performing arts
To disseminate knowledge, promote appreciation, provide training and undertake scientific research in these fields for cultural enrichment of our society
To establish, equip and maintain schools, auditorium, libraries, archives, museums, studios, workshops and other facilities necessary to fulfil the above objectives
To develop Upasana as an ambassador of Indian performing arts representing our culture on international platforms