Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society
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The Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (
Abbreviation An abbreviation (from Latin ''brevis'', meaning ''short'') is a shortened form of a word or phrase, by any method. It may consist of a group of letters or words taken from the full version of the word or phrase; for example, the word ''abbrevia ...
: SIFAS) is an
organisation An organization or organisation (Commonwealth English; see spelling differences), is an entity—such as a company, an institution, or an association—comprising one or more people and having a particular purpose. The word is derived from ...
that teaches Indian classical arts, including
Indian classical music Indian classical music is the classical music of the Indian subcontinent. It has two major traditions: the North Indian classical music known as '' Hindustani'' and the South Indian expression known as '' Carnatic''. These traditions were not ...
, in
Singapore Singapore (), officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island country and city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It lies about one degree of latitude () north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, borde ...
.


Founding history

Founded in 1949 with a small group of dedicated music lovers from India, Malaysia and Singapore, SIFAS has now grown into an internationally recognised institution of Indian classical music and dance employing renowned music and dance exponents from India to conduct and facilitate courses ranging from classical dance, instrumental music and vocal music in both Hindustani and
Carnatic music Carnatic music, known as or in the Dravidian languages, South Indian languages, is a system of music commonly associated with South India, including the modern Indian states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, an ...
categories. It also conducts drawing and painting classes for both enthusiasts and serious students regardless of age.


Organisation

The society itself is divided into three schools of instruction, the Academy, the Performing Arts Company and the Visual Arts School. The highly skilled staff employed in the organisation not only teach but perform regularly in Singapore and abroad to keep their performing standards and passing the fresh experience to their students. Most of such concerts performed by the staff and are supported by the public. As the emphasis on the standard and quality of music is given prime importance in the method of instruction, dedicated students of SIFAS ace in performing arts locally and internationally. The eighth-year music diploma issued by the Academy is accredited by the University of Madras as an entry qualification for its Master's in Music degree.


Management

The institution itself is a non-profit organisation, and which is run by private funding from public and is a member of the National Arts Council in Singapore. Currently at the helm of the institution is Mr Shankar Rajan who has been appointed as Principal from 2017. The faculty of twenty-two and the management committee actively review and improvise learning techniques methods as well as organising cultural activities in Singapore.


Student atmosphere

Students of all races come and study in the institution and the bulk of them are of Indian origin. Some of them, being already artistes enrol themselves in the institution to acquire advanced schooling in music and dance. Age is no barrier to learning the arts and SIFAS has not restricted anybody regardless of age as long as they sincerely put interest for the arts. The society's philosophy is described in Sanskrit in its logo, which reads: "Kala Samskrithi Lakshanam—Art Characterises Civilisation."


References


External links


The Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society
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