Performing Arts courses need in-person training – Times of India

Continuity in education


Hemlata Bagla, senior dean, HSNC University, Mumbai, says, “Courses like Performing Arts and Music are better taught and learnt in person, but given the current circumstances, a digital approach works in the best interest of aspirants who wish to pursue it.”

Sanjay Gupta, vice-chancellor, World University of Design, Sonipat, is set to launch Performing Arts course in a hybrid manner from the next academic session. “We had a hybrid mode of teaching-learning even prior to the pandemic. We have taken a conscious decision to undertake professional courses in Performing Arts and Music in a hybrid mode,” he says.

Various challenges


Bagla says that one of the challenges has been a lack of personal assistance, which is easier in physical classes.

Ravi Rastogi, founder and creative director, Moving Souls Dance Academy, New Delhi, says that while the basics of any dance can be taught online, techniques are harder to teach in this format. “Personal experience suggests that even the best institutes are not able to give online training that can match up to offline classes,” he says.

Simple techniques such as pointed toes are difficult to teach online and take double the time as offline classes, he adds. “Teachers have the hardest job as they have to continuously upskill to meet all requirements of online classes,” says Rastogi.

Hitesh Rupani, founder and director, The Music Gurukul (TMM studios), Mumbai, says that the biggest challenge in teaching piano online has been to make students understand the art of improvisation. “For those looking to pursue this art professionally, online sessions need to be complemented by offline classes. This is how they will understand importance of spontaneity.”

Finding solutions


Bagla says that teachers have now been trained to address a digital classroom of Performing Arts to ensure that students learn with clarity. Furthermore, recordings of lectures are made accessible for learners as a reference after class.

Sonali Mehra, co-founder, Music Meleti, Gurgaon, says, “For a while now, various courses in Performing Arts were being delivered online. Today, institutes have upskilled instructors, bought related equipment, and modified their mode of teaching-learning to suit the students’ demands.”

Rastogi says that he has technically altered his home studio such that music notes associated to his dance lessons match the exact movement he showcases to his students. “This helps them be more precise,” he clarifies.

Moving ahead

“The way forward in imparting education in Performing Arts will be a blend of physical and digital classes. Besides, admission for the course will require candidates to meet set criteria of having basic background knowledge and/or skills related to the course,” says Bagla.

Rupani shares that currently, around 40% of his students learning piano are happy with online classes, while 40% do not want to come back due to fear of Covid-19, and only 20% want to restart offline classes. “These numbers are constantly changing. We must wait to see the future of education in Performing Arts and Music,” he says.

Currently, online classes in Performing Arts are a boon, as they have kept the guru (teacher) and shishya (student) connected. However, this is just a stop gap arrangement to ensure that education in this field does not stop. Artists cannot be made through online classes. For this, a student needs the physical company of a guru to learn the finer nuances of their chosen art.


– Vidushi Sunanda Sharma, Banaras Gharana, Indian classical vocalist

In Performing Arts, online classes can equip us with the required knowledge, but this is limited to theoretical practice and ideation. While we understood procedural and theoretical aspects in online classes, interactions with peers is limited. In comparison, physical classes provide a competitive atmosphere, inspiration, as well as physical and tactile clarity. However, online classes have created a global network that has blurred boundaries between cultures


– Mauraya Sharma, student at Pathways World School, Gurgaon, and a professional in various fields of Performing Arts