+919474103692
Xavier Sangeetanjali
College of performing arts
Xavier Sangeetanjali is a cultural institute of music and dance started and run by the DARJEELING JESUITS OF NORTH BENGAL (DJNB). This institute mainly caters to the students of North Bengal who are economically not very well off. It aims to preserve and promote the local culture together with classical music and dance.
Vision
Of Sangeetanjali
Inspired by Jesus and guided by Ignatian ideals, Sangeetanjali aims towards facilitating an experience of God, knowledge and love for one’s culture through music and dance. The word “Sangeetanjali” means offering of one self through music and dance to the Divine. The Vision of Sangeetanjali is to impart an experience of God in oneself and to develop a sense of harmony - aesthetic through music and dance.
Mission
Of Sangeetanjali
•Sangeetanjali is committed to an integral human formation of the students.•The Preservation and promotion of various local & indigenous cultures /customs/ traditions. •To inculcate the richness of aesthetics, spiritual, cultural and social values among the students.• To strive towards human formation as “men and women for others”.
The context
•Music and dance as an art form are unique disciplines to reach out to the growing young people.
•The recent trend of revivalism especially in the field of art and culture, music and dance, poetry and literature, is opening up many avenues of professionalism and carrier for the young people.
•We are in a region where music and dance and other art forms play a very important role in socio-cultural and religious life of the people.
•We are surrounded by many ethnic groups for whom dance and music is a way of life. The tribal communities in the plains, the Darjeeling hill communities, the Bengalis, the Rajbangshis etc. are gifted with music and dance.
•Reading the signs of our times we have entered into a new venture, in the field music and dance, to empower young people by creative use of their talents.
•We share a responsibility to accompany students/youth so that they became a creative people of the society.
•To provide an opportunity and platform for the gifted students from economically poor section of our area into the world of music and dance.
History
Of Xavier Sangeetanjali
The preparation for this ministry began many years ago when the Darjeeling Jesuits decided to send Fr Edward Arokiaraj SJ and Fr. Kalyan Tirkey SJ, as young scholastics, to the universities for the formal degree in classical music and dance. It was envisioned by Late Fr. Ambrose D’ Mello who was then as the Regional Superior of Darjeeling Jesuit Region, made the decision for these two young Jesuits to pursue university degree in music and dance. After completing their Masters degree in Performing Arts, both have been actively involved in teaching dance and music to the students and youth at different schools. This endeavor has taken a concrete and visible form. On September 12th, 2010, Sangeetanjali, a Xavier College of Performing Arts and Culture, was blessed by Rt. Rev. Thomas D’Souza, Bishop of Bagdogra and inaugurated by Padmavibhushan Pt. Chhannulal Misra, a prominent Indian Classical Vocalist from Varanasi. Thus Sangeetanjali is a humble beginning, a small step forward. It has been ten years since we started having students regularly to learn music and dance. At present we have around four hundred students benefiting from our centre, learning different art forms. We are granted affiliation from a Music University named Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad, UP, India.
Goal and Objectives
Integral development of a person
1.To provide the youth (students) an opportunity to realize their own giftedness in music and dance, with a preferential option for the students from the poor and the marginalized section of the society.
2.To empower them with a formal degree as to pursue a professional carrier in the future.
3.To awaken in the students the socio-spiritual and cultural dimension so as to make them a good citizens and leaders in the society.
Strategies
1.University Diploma/Degree courses in performing arts: •Hindustani Vocal Music (North Indian Classical music)•Instrumental: Harmonium, Tabla, Violin, Flute, Guitar, Synthesizer etc. •Bharatanatyam (South Indian classical dance) •Kathak (North Indian classical dance)
2.Revival, Preservation and Promotion of folklore, tribal music and dance.
3.Documentation and preservation of music, dance and other art forms of various tribes/ethnic groups of North Bengal.
4.Preparing radio and television and stage programs on social, cultural and religious themes.
5.Social and cultural conscientization through dance and music.
6.To Promote and share the Christian values of love and solidarity based on the Gospel.
Courses
The courses offered by Xavier Sangeetanjali are listed below.
Bharatanatyam
Bharatanatyam (Tamil:பரதநாட்டியம்) also called as Sadhir Attam, is a major form of Indian classical dance that originated in Tamil Nadu.It has flourished in the temples and courts of southern India since ancient times.It is one of the widely recognized eight forms of Indian classical dance (the others being Kathak, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Manipuri and Sattriya) and it expresses South Indian religious themes and spiritual ideas, particularly of Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Shaktism.
Kathak
Native to North India, Kathak (pronounced “Kah-tahk”) is one of six Indian classical dance forms. Kathak originated within Hindu temples as a storytelling device for portraying the epic tales from Hindu scriptures, Mahabharata and Ramayana. Poetry was combined with rhythmic movement to aid in the worshipful storytelling.
Guitar and piano
We also train students in western music using guitar and Keyboard piano. We train them to read and write western staff notation. We also train them to use these instruments as accompaniment for popular as well liturgical church music.
Folk Dance, Music and Instrument
In order to preserve and promote local culture of music we also train students in folk music and instruments. Folk instruments like Mandar, Nepali Madal, Nagada, Dholak, Naal etc. are the instruments the students get trained in Xavier Sangeetanjali.
We also train our students in folk dances especially the Chota Nagpur Tribals: Oraon, Munda, Kharia, Santal etc. and the Tribal dances of the Hills: Tamang, Sherpa, Lepcha, Gurung, Rai etc. and the folk dances of Bengalis and Rajbashis etc.
Vocal music
Hindustani Classical music is popularly known as North Indian Classical Music. Vocal training is one of the main branches of Hindustani Classical Music. We train the students in vocal training to develop their inborn talent of singing. This helps them to sing well, build self confidence and take up singing as their profession.
Tabla
Tabla is a double drum used in Hindustani classical singing and instruments as a rhythmic accompanying instrument. It has become very popular now that there are solo recitals done in Tabla. Our vocal and instrumental students learn the basic knowledge of Tabla and others take table as a main instrument for their training.
Flute
Flute (bansuri) is a wind instrument made up of special bamboo. It is a very popular instrument in both classical as well as folk music of India. Students get trained in playing flute through Hindustani classical music.
Harmonium
Harmonium is a special accompanying instrument ofr Hindustani music as well as for popular Indian musical singing. Students get trained to play Harmonium together with Vocal singing. Some take up as playing only harmonium.
Violin
Violin is is beautiful stringed and bowed interment. Students get trained in playing Hindustani classical music in Violin.
Milestones and Events
2004-2005
• Training the students in music and dance by Fr. Edward Arokiaraj SJ at St. Alphonsus School, Kurseong. • First batch of students for music and dance classes by Fr. Kalyan Tirkey SJ in Loyola School, Uttar Salbari.
2008-2010
•Beginning of music and dance classes in Santi Sadan, Gurung Nagar, Siliguri.
12th September 2010
•Blessing and Inauguration of Xavier Sangeetanjali, a centre of performing art and culture, Matigara, by RT. Rev. Thomas D’Souza and Padmavibhushan Pandit Chhannulal Mishra.
May- June 2011-2019
•XS-Music and Dance Summer Camp- Intensive music and dance classes during summer holidays for the students
Apr - 2012•Seminar on Body Language and Body Movements given by Mr. Stepheno from Italy.
October 2016
•Lecture - demonstrations of vocal music by Pt. Dewanand Pathak, renowned vocalist from Varanasi •Lecture demonstration of classical dance by Dr. Suchita Kujur, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. (Staff of Sangeetanjali)
March 2017
•Kathak dance seminar and workshop by Mrs. Kanan Sen and her disciples from Kolkatta.
December 2017
Auto Rickshaw program, : ( A Trio - fusion music band, Canada)
November- 2018
•Bagdogra Diocese inter parish- Liturgical & Gospel Singing Competition (To encourage and promote the youth in liturgy & worship at the parish level)
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April 2009- Nov 2013
Apr - 2009l•Sangeet Sandhya (1st Stage performance) at St. Joseph’s School, New Jalpaiguri. Pt. Dewanand Pathak, renowned vocalist was the Chief Guest for the occasion who at present is the principal of Sa re ga ma pa, a music academy, Mumbai.Oct – 2009•On the Occasion of Bagdogra Diocese Gathering of Fathers of the Families known as Baba Diwas Rally-2009, we performed dance on the theme ‘God, Our Father’Nov - 2011•Unity in Diversity (Dance Drama) on religious harmony, performed at Gymkhana Club, Darjeeling.Nov - 2012 •The Celebration of the beauty of Nature/Creation (Variety items of music and dance) performed at Makai Barie Tea Factory, Kurseong, Darjeeling District.Sept - 2013•Dance Drama on Ecology – by Sangeetanjali Students at Kolkatta, organized by Power Grid Corporation of India. Nov – 2013•Folk dances of North Bengal performed at St. Xaviers. Kolkatta, organized by Kalahradaya, Kolkatta, and a second performance at Tollyganj place, Kolkatta.
February 2015-2019
Feb - 2015•Tribal cultural dance performance & shooting for Doordarshan, Kolkotta.•Dance Performance by Sangeetanjali Students on the occasion of silver Jubilee of KGTM College, Bagdogra.March 2016•International Women’s Day: On the occasion of International women’s day celebration at Chowrasta-Darjeeling, our students danced on the theme of women’s liberation. Organized by Hayden Hall Darjeeling.Aug 2016 •Siliguri Jail: Our senior students went to the Siliguri jail and put up a variety dance show our love and care.•Jisu Ashram: A dance show for our Jishu ashram (a health centre for sick and poor) staff, students and inmates.Sept 2016 •To mark the occasion of the canonization of Mother Teresa of Kolkatta, we performed dance – drama based on the life and works of Mother Teresa, staged at Gorkha Rang Manch Bhawan, Darjeeling, it was organized by Hayden Hall and NGO s Darjeeling people.Oct 2016•Dance – drama on the life and works of Mother Teresa staged at Good Shepherd Church, BagdograDec 2016•Dance performance for the Inauguration of National Table Tennis Sports Meet at indoor stadium, Siliguri, Organized by Government of West Bengal.Mar 2017•Tribal folk dance: performance and shooting for Door Darshan, Jalpaiguri Dec 2018•Processional dance performance at Siliguri on the occasion of Paush Mela-2018. March – 2019•Cultural dance performance at Hayden Hall on the occasion of Golden Jubilee of Hayden Hall, a social service institute in Darjeeling2011 - 2019•Annual Concert of Music and Dance performance known as Sangeetanjali Day (XS Day)2011 - 2019•Annual Music and Dance performance by the students of summer camp
One billion rise
Feb - 2014 • One Billion Rise Dance: This event was organized to high light the atrocities and violence on women (a Fusion-classical dance) performed at City Centre, Uttorayon, Siliguri, Darjeeling District. It was organized by Mary Ward Social Centre-Siliguri together with many NGOs including HLDRC (Human Life Development and Research Centre, Matigara, Darjell
February 2016• One Billion Rise: Sangeetanjali students performed ‘One billion Rise dance’ at Panighata in solidarity with the suffering women. It was organized by Mary ward Social Centre- Siliguri.
Dance performance for inspiration
Jan 2016•Dance Performance for inspiration. A tour: In order to inspire and motivate the students to develop their talents, we took out this tour, as an orientation for the children, motivating them to take up music and dance as a profession also.1.Birla Divyajyoti School, Uttorayon, Matigara, Darjeeling district2.St. Joseph’s Convent School, Matigara.3.Sacred Heart School, Matigara. 4.St. Peter’s Boys School & St. Mary’s Girls School, Gayaganga
June - 2019
1.St. Xaviers school, Uttar Panialguri, Alipurduar2.Nirmala girls school, Damanpur.3.St. Joseph’s Boys school, Damanpur4.Fatima Boys school, Dimdima5.Maria Goretti girls school, Dimdima6.Loyola school, Uttal salbari, Kelabari7.B. L. Boys school, Malbazar.
Prayas Music Band
•Prayas is a music band of Sangeetanjali consisting of Sangeetanjali staff and students. It aims at performing cultural and fusion music to encourage the youth to get interested in music. Also make them interested in liturgical singing especially in Mass and big liturgical events.1.ICYM diocese youth convention (2017) Bagdogra diocese.2.Birsa Munda Jeyanti, Ghoshpukur (2017) Darjeeling district3.Birsa Munda Jeyanti, Gulma (2017)Darjeeling district4.Hathighisa Jubilee inauguration (2018), Darjeeling district5.Hathighisa Jubilee conclusion (2019, Darjeeling district.6.International women’s day, Matigara organized by HLDRC (2019)7.Musical performance at Siliguri Jail (2017)
Liturgical Choir by Sangeetanjali & Prayas Band
1.Episcopal Ordination of Rev Bishop Vincent Aind - 20142.Priestly Ordination Binod Kerketta SJ , Hathighisa - 20163.Priestly ordination of Alphonse Lepcha and Roshan kiro & Diaconate ordination - 20174.Inaugural Mass at Gospel singing competition - 20185.Inaugural Mass at Chang hospital’s inauguration of Nursing school-2019
Outreach program
1.Dance and Music for the students of Asha-Gram (Orphanage)2.Nava Jyoti Daan, Siliguri (a centre for the girls at risk) by Sisters Adorers.3.St. Vincent’s School, Hathighisa4.St. Mary’s School, Gayaganga5.St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Hansqua, Bagdogra, Darjeeling District
We invite you
To join hands in shaping and molding the youth through the ministry of music, dance and culture. Your prayers and your generous contribution will help us to reach out and develop this ministry that will touch and mould many young hearts ….. Write to us-
PRABHU JESU RESIDENCE, JESUIT CURIA, DARJEELING PROVINCE, Matigara, West Bengal 734010, India
+919474103692
456-789-1234
