Indian music gets a world-class museum, with IME Bengaluru set to open by end of 2017

This Just In From Seattle Music History!!! IME Bengaluru set to open by end of 2017 LivingNeha KirpalSep, 10 2017 12:14:45 IST

Imagine a repository of everything about Indian music under a single roof. For music lovers, this may no longer be a mere dream, as the country’s first-of-its kind music museum is slated to open in Bengaluru by the end of 2017. An initiative of the Indian Music Trust and supported by the Brigade Group, the Centre for Indian Music Experience (IME) has been modelled on the lines of Seattle’s Experience Music Project, which was founded by Microsoft’s Paul Allen. Dr Suma Sudhindra, director — Outreach, told Firstpost about the project, “The IME is going to be a landmark centre which will change the way Indians look at museums.” Built on a plot of about one hectare in south Bengaluru’s Brigade Millennium Enclave, its state-of-the-art four-storey building consists of eight thematic galleries showcasing various facets of Indian music, an instruments' gallery with 250 musical instruments, and several computer-based interactive installations that allow visitors to experience the process of music-making. With interactive multimedia galleries, performance venues and learning spaces, the centre will be dedicated to exploring India’s cultural nuances through its music — everything from classical to folk, regional and Bollywood. Project director Manasi Prasad told Firstpost, "Visitors can look forward to hours and days of discovering different genres of music, understanding the stories behind the songs, and making music themselves.” The proposed IME building The proposed IME building Gallagher and Associates, which helped create the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, has been roped in for the project. And undoubtedly, its facilities are comparable to any world-class institute. In July, the IME’s Sound Garden opened for visitors. Here, visitors can undertake a guided tour that takes one on a journey through sound, vibration, frequencies and resonances through musical sculptures such as xylophone tables, metallophones, plate gongs, tubular bells, wind chimes, humming stones and reeds. Speaking about the response that the garden has received so far, Dr Sudhindra said, “I am sure that the IME will play a huge role in making music accessible to the common man. Additionally, it will also be the destination point for all music connoisseurs, researchers and music students.” The Hall of Fame features 100 legends from all genres, including Hariprasad Chaurasia, Zakir Hussain and Asha Bhosle. The top floor even has a sound lab, where children can jam or perform using computer-aided interactive and touch screens. There are also photo ops where visitors can pose with a brass band, record a track in a mini studio with mixing consoles and email it to themselves, or create a cover design for a CD. Further, there are several audio/visual kiosks and iPads for people to listen to different forms of music. Various artists, bands and private collectors pitched in to set up the rare museum contributing their collections of unreleased music, high-resolution videos and footage. Further, government institutions such as the All India Radio and the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training, have also shared content. Outdoor music installations at the IME, Bengaluru Outdoor music installations at the IME, Bengaluru DCI_6009DCI_6034 In addition, the IME’s Learning Centre, which started two years ago, already works towards delivering curriculum-based music education in the form of lessons, seminars, workshops and music appreciation courses. “We will be developing an active calendar of performances, workshops and seminars at the centre to make it a musical hub of the city,” added Prasad. Museums across the world are moving to an experiential model where they serve not just as archives but also institutions that tell stories, ask questions and interpret artefacts for their audiences. The team behind the project did extensive research before starting, surveying about 10 similar museums in the US for factors like display, lighting, maintenance, storage, server rooms and archives. They now hope that the Centre becomes not just a cultural landmark that documents the history and diversity of Indian music, but also an active participant in supporting and shaping its future. "We are already being approached by museums and arts centres from across the world to send our travelling exhibitions on Indian music, and to host their exhibitions here,” said Prasad. Needless to say, the target segment is youngsters, as the unique museum hopes to educate people about India's rich musical diversity and inspire creativity through music. “School children are one of our primary target audiences, so we want to create a whole generation of musically aware and engaged youngsters,” adds Prasad. All in all, an educative and cultural journey through India’s rich heritage, the Indian Music Experience promises to rediscover the rich legacy of Indian music through a personal and transformational experience. At Indian Music Experience Trust, Opposite Woodrose Club, Brigade Millennium, JP Nagar 7th Phase, Bengaluru 560078 Published Date: Sep 10, 2017 12:14 pm | Updated Date: Sep 10, 2017 12:14 pm Tags :#Artsandculture#Bengaluru music museum#Centre for indian music experience#Centre for indian music experience bengaluru#Fweekend#Ime#Ime museum#Ime museum bangalore#Indian music museum#Music