MUMBAI: The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) and the Shankar Mahadevan Academy have collaborated to present instructor led music courses. Mahadevan’s Academy will be conducting learning programs called Basics of Music and Bollywood Singing, Grow with Music program for children, Hindustani Vocals and Carnatic Vocals at NCPA.

Mahadevan, who has been a long-time admirer of NCPA said, "I grew up here in Mumbai, and NCPA has played a major role in my upbringing. I have many a times visited the NCPA to watch musical performances by some of my favourite musicians. I could not be any happier with my school’s association with NCPA."

One of the primary objectives of these courses is to expose as many children and adults alike to the importance of Hindustani classical and Carnatic classical music. On that Mahadevan opined, "India is the only country which has such rich musical culture in terms of Hindustani classical and Carnatic classical, not just Bollywood music. Therefore, I strongly feel that we must strive to preserve this."

The Indian Music Department at the NCPA, along with the education board of Mahadevan’s Academy have formed a collaborative curriculum that will teach Indian classical music to NCPA patrons and music lovers via its online-offline blended model. Most of the Academy’s teaching earlier followed an online-only model. However, the institute received feedback which encouraged the addition of in-person training. The course is exclusive to NCPA in Mumbai and will follow a 12 week course, with one class every week.

On this venture, NCPA Chairman K N Suntook stated in a release, "As a national centre, we are deeply committed to the propagation of Indian music, and have undertaken several educational initiatives for the beginners as well as advance students of music.  We are pleased to partner with the Shankar Mahadevan Academy in furthering the cause of music by providing opportunity for adults and children to creatively engage in music."