In the land of Khajuraho and Bollywood, it’s surprising that there are few educational institutions specifically dedicated to the study of art and culture. Realising the enormous potential for study in the field of art history and cinematic traditions, the School of Arts and Aesthetics was founded at the Jawaharlal Nehru University three years ago.

Today, the school is famous as a flourishing academic centre in India. It offers many postgraduate courses in the theoretical study of the cinematic, visual and performing arts.

Unity in diversity

The school began with a small group of students but is growing quickly to become extremely popular for those interested in the history, sociology and politics of various art forms. It currently offers a cross-disciplinary MA degree, a specialised MPhil degree in the streams of visual studies, theatre and performance studies and cinema studies, as well as a PhD programme. The school has a nine-member faculty and offers a diverse set of subjects such as world theatre, Indian cinema and the history of Indian art and architecture, apart from numerous optional courses such as those on the arts of the Rajput courts and on Indian dance.

“The best part about the school is the eclectic set of subjects offered, which makes for an enriching blend. It’s a great experience — there are so many events, seminars and talks by experts from diverse backgrounds,” says Deepti, a second-year MA student. For instance, the school organised an international conference on Elective Affinities, Constitutive Differences: Contemporary Art in Asia in New Delhi in March.

Recognising the importance of exposure to art beyond academic work, the school has an active schedule of lectures and workshops by eminent scholars. Students are encouraged to go on study tours to historically important sites, curate exhibitions and host performances in their very own auditorium to facilitate an interface between theory and practice. Many students also take up internships at art galleries and museums to gain practical knowledge about the functioning of art-houses.

Students have to take a written test and an interview to join the school. “There is no dearth of career opportunities in this field,” says its dean, Parul Dave Mukherjee. “Students can opt for academics, take up research documentation or join galleries.”

Future perfect

Since students of the school have backgrounds in a wide variety of disciplines ranging from journalism to architecture, the future prospects are similarly diverse. Prof. Naman Ahuja says, “The art market in India is growing rapidly. Banks are opening art advisories for potential investors. The media industry requires qualified researchers in the field. There is also a mushrooming of private art galleries and museums. The opportunities for work in the field are extraordinary.” This explains the growing interest in the school.

Students have access not only to the renowned central library at JNU and its departmental library but also to centres such as the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the National Museum and the National School of Drama, apart from a range of online resources. An MA student, Debanjali, says, “I am a trained dancer and wanted to develop my passion. This school seemed like a great way to begin. It gives me numerous options for the future.”

Professors and students also agree that the school is particularly significant in the Indian context since most studies of Indian art and performance traditions are undertaken at British and American universities.

Vital Statistics

WHAT IS IT? A school for the cinematic, visual and performing arts.

WHO’S THE BOSS? Parul Dave Mukherjee.

NUMBER OF STUDENTS 80.

WHAT IS OFFERED? MA, MPhil and PhD degrees.

WHAT IS The TUTION FEE? Rs 120 per semester.

ENTRANCE EXAM? Yes.

WHERE IS IT LOCATED? Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi-110067.
Phone: 26717576/26704061.
Website: www.jnu.ac.in

Tanya Matthan

OLD MEMORIES

Old student Brinda Kumar remembers her days at the School of Arts and Aesthetics

During a course in painting, I developed an interest in art history. The School of Arts and Aesthetics (SAA) seemed like the bestplace to begin. I belonged to the first batch of MA students of the school. The course at SAA is unique in that it offers a chance to examine Indian art forms from a composite point of view. There is a huge range of optional subjects. Students are provided with a perfect blend of both visual and performing arts. Also, students are encouraged to take up other courses offered at the various centres within JNU.

The school organises many outreach programmes that provide students with an opportunity to go beyond the classroom. During my MA, one of the events SAA organised was a public arts programme. The culturally vibrant city of Delhi complements the course — we went to excellent art exhibitions and seminars outside.

As told to Tanya Matthan