Giving guidelines on voice training

Dr Anisur Rahman speaks at the programme

Speaking to the students on their experience of this latest form of voice 'throwing' in the country, they admitted that it was a new element and had never been tried before. According to student Nirob Shanu, "We all knew how to sing, but many of us were not aware of the scientific methods that were involved with singing. If we can apply these practically, our skills will definitely improve." Adds 15-year-old Akhila Shaha who has been practicing Tagore songs for the past nine years, " We have come across many new techniques which will help us increase the range of our voice. That this kind of science exists is amazing."

Rahman has spent several years abroad and that is how he learnt about kontha bigyan. Extensive research has gone into this science in the western countries where it has evolved over the past 200 years. In the words of Rahman, "The art is definitely more important than the artiste. However, it is very sad to see that the singers of our country do not come forward to learn new methods. Indian singers are more open to the idea."

The Tagore exponent believes in bringing out the talent in students rather than spoon-feeding them. A true artiste is one who can be creative and invent something new. The students will be practicing the various aspects of this technique and will hold a concert in the future.