In 1987, Pandit Sharda Sahai and Dr Frances Shepherd founded the Pandit Ram Sahai Sangit Vidyalaya (PRSSV), a charitable trust that seeks to give people of all walks of life a chance to experience and learn the performing arts of India. PRSSV along with its subsidiary trust Pandit Ram Sahai Foundation is a global organisation with branches in India, Canada and the USA.
PRSSV's Sangeet College was set up as a centre of learning where students from all backgrounds have the opportunity with the brightest and most talented teachers. Our teachers include Dr Frances Shepherd, Deepak Sahai, Priya Pawar and Mehboob Nadeem. Our guest teachers are Vamshikrishna Vishnudas and Clive Bell.
As the demand for learning vocal and instrumental Indian classical music rises, Sangeet College is expanding its resources to accomodate for students across London. Weekly group sessions of Tabla at levels including beginner, intermediate and advanced are run under the guidance of Pandit Sharda Sahai at Harrow High School in North West London. Sangeet College also runs kathak, singing and sitar classes in schools and for community organisations across London. It also supports the running of Tabla workshops and summer camps in the UK and USA (www.sahai.org).
Sangeet College provides students with a choice to develop their musical abilities through a Western teaching and examination route, or the Guru-Shishya traditional way. With regards to the examination route, Sangeet College has a highly developed set of curriculum that students are encouraged to follow in order to pass grades of Sangit Examinations UK, an accredited examination body.
At Sangeet College, great emphasis is placed on interactive and community orientated learning. Students at all levels are encouraged to assist their fellow students and so develop the feeling of community spirit as well as improve their understanding and knowledge of Indian classical music.
Sangeet College is not only a place where students come to learn, but also a platform for teachers to receive advice, support and professional development training within the UK. To find out more, please write to Mike Shah by email: mikeshah@sangeetcollege.org.uk
While the activities of Sangeet College are overseen by Dr Frances Shepherd, elder mature students, friends and parents play a role in strengthening the support network of the organisation. This is notably seen by the organisation of the Sangeet College Parent Committee, led by Mike Shah and Raj Lakhtaria, which provides support to students and parents and handles the general administration involved with the college.
At the heart of it all, Sangeet College is a community of artists, parents, friends, students and music lovers.
PANDIT SHARDA SAHAI
1935-2011
Pandit Sharda Sahai one of India’s most renowned tabla maestros, is being mourned the world over_0.JPG)
after passing away on 20th November 2011, at the age of 76 surrounded by his family in Ealing Hospital. Panditji was renowned as one of the greatest exponents of the Benares Baj and pioneered its development worldwide, most notably in Canada, America and the UK. Panditji hailed from five generations of master musicians and whilst he was faithful to the tradition of his ancestors he also was very much a musician of his time.
He profoundly touched all those who came into contact with him with his great wisdom, knowledge and humour. He will be remembered for his spellbinding solo performances, East West collaborations and skill and generosity as a teacher. His legacy will live on through his disciples and students and in the Pandit Ram Sahai Sangeet Vidyalaya which he founded in Benares in 1965 outside of the traditional musician families could have access to Music and the Performing Arts.
