The
administration of the institution was under the control of the royalty
earlier. The institution was renamed as Sree Swathi Thirunal College
of Music in 1962. Situated at the heart of the capital city, the institution
is one of the prestigious and well managed music institutes of South
India.
Courses
Earlier, a three-year certificate course in
Music - “Gayaka and Gayika” for male and female students respectively
was provided in the Institute. In 1961, a committee, which included
eminent musicians and music educators like Mrs. Lekshmi Narayanan Nair,
Sri. Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, Dr. Musuri Subrahmanya Iyer and Prof.
P. Sambamurthy constituted by the Government of Kerala prepared a comprehensive
curriculum and syllabus for the course in this institution. Later “Ganabhooshanam
and Ganapraveen”, (four year Diploma course) were introduced. The college
was affiliated to the University of Kerala in 1999 and a unique course
Bachelor in Performing Arts was initiated.
Presently the college has entered new avenues, announcing 8 new courses
as part of continuing education. The courses are meant for those who
have an aptitude in learning music, those who would like to go for advanced
studies in group kritis, ragamalikas, and ragam-tanam-pallavis and for
those who are interested in music direction.
Eminent Principals and Students of the College
Late Dr. L. Muttayyah Bhagavathar was the founder Principal of this
esteemed music institution. He was replaced by the great Carnatic Music
prodigy the late Sri. Semmangudi R. Srinivasa Iyer. G. N. Balasubrahmaniam,
Vechur N. Hari Hara Subrahmania Iyer have also served as the eminent
heads of this organization. K. Vasantha Kumari is at present the Principal
of this institution.
Dr.K.J.Yesudas, Neyyatinkara Vasudevan, Dr. K. Omanakutty, Chalakkudy
Narayana Swami, Pudukkode Krishna Murthy, Mavelikkara Prabhakara Verma,
Velukkutty Nair, M. G. Radhakrishnan, Raveendaran (Music Director) and
Parassala Ravi are some of the illustrious students of this institution.
New talents like Kallara Gopan and Panthalam Balan were also the products
of this college.
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