Undergraduate Programme
For Men
Duration: 4 Years
The Bachelor of Performing Arts (B.P.A.) in Music aims to understand and nurture the cultural heritage of Indian traditional music. The program offers a comprehensive approach towards the development of a student by enabling him to improve upon his innate potential.
This full-time residential program is available in two streams of Indian music: Carnatic (South Indian) and Hindustani (North Indian) systems. It covers five disciplines: Carnatic Vocal, Carnatic Instrumental Veena, Carnatic Instrumental Mridangam, Hindustani Vocal, and Hindustani Instrumental Tabla.
MINOR SUBJECTS
In Years 2 and 3 (Semesters 3 to 6), students can earn 16 credits in one of the following subjects:
- History
- Political Science
- Economics
- English
- Sanskrit
- Telugu
- Hindi
The student is then awarded a minor degree in that subject.
The programme enables graduates to pursue higher education in music and take up teaching jobs in schools and institutions. The practical courses of the programme impart performing skills and prepare the student for All India Radio grade auditions.
B.P.A. (Hons.) in Music
For students who complete a 4-year (8-semester) programme of study.
Entry & Exit options as per NEP 2020 Policy.
Facilities
In addition to educational resources on music, the department has a comprehensive library containing numerous books on music and Sai spiritual literature.
The multimedia segment offers audio and visuals of performances and demonstrations by artists of Carnatic and Hindustani music. The department also provides music instruments for students to use in classroom teaching and practice sessions.
Visiting Artistes
Renowned artistes from different parts of the country and overseas come to Prasanthi Nilayam. They frequently engage with the department students and conduct lecture demonstration and performances.
- Some of the renowned artistes who have visited are:
- Sri Umayalpuram Sivaraman (Mridangam vidwan)
- Sri Komanduri Sheshadri (Violin vidwan)
- Sri Hariharan (renowned Ghazal singer)
- Sri Naiveli Santana Gopalan (Carnatic vocal vidwan)
- Sri Suresh Wadkar (North Indian classical & light music)
- Smt Anuradha Krishnamurthy (Carnatic vocal vidwan)
- Padmashri Palanivel (Thavil vidwan)
- Prof. Yella Venkateswara Rao (Mridangam vidwan)
- Pandit Jayateerth Mevundi (Hindustani vocalist)
- Sri Santosh G Kulkarni (Tabla artist & lead instructor)
- Dr. Dwaram V J Lakshmi (Carnatic classical vocalist)
- Mridanga Sudhakara K Sadguru Charan (Mridangam)
Visiting Faculty: Padma Shri Sumitra Guha (Hindustani Classical Vocalist)
- 10+2 years of schooling from a recognized board (CBSE or equivalent) with Music as one of the subjects
or a Diploma certificate in Music
or a minimum of two years’ music training in the concerned subject, for which, a letter/certificate has to be produced from the teacher during the Music Aptitude Test - Either passed or appeared for Final exams at XII Standard before Admissions. If not appeared for XII Standard exams, X and XI Standard marks will be considered
- Consistent academic performance of 60% aggregate marks in X and/or XII Standard
- Age: Preferably below 19 years as of 30th June in the year of admission
The selection of the candidate for the programme is solely subject to his performance in the Music Aptitude and Competency test.
Note: Exceptionally talented Candidates with a family background in professional or academic music may be considered. The candidate must produce documentary evidence, and selection will be based on whether the candidate is deemed fit for the subject chosen.
Students must select one major and one minor subject from the options listed below. The first two years include both Major and Minor subjects, while the third and fourth years focus solely on the Major subject. Students will select Minor subjects according to their aptitude.
| MAJOR Subject | MINOR Subject |
| Carnatic Vocal | Carnatic Instrumental Veena or Carnatic Instrumental Mridangam |
| Carnatic Instrumental Veena | Carnatic Vocal or Carnatic Instrumental Mridangam |
| Carnatic Instrumental Mridangam | Carnatic Vocal or Carnatic Instrumental Veena |
| Hindustani Vocal | Hindustani Instrumental Tabla or Carnatic Instrumental Mridangam |
| Hindustani Instrumental Tabla | Hindustani Vocal or Carnatic Vocal |
YEAR 1
Semester 1
Theory – I
Practical – I
Minor: Theory – I
Minor: Practical – I
Awareness Course I: Sai Education for Transformation (Based on Bhagawan Baba’s Life and Teachings)
Semester 2
Theory – II
Practical – II
Minor: Theory – II
Minor: Practical – II
Awareness Course II: Unity of Religions
YEAR 2
Semester 3
Theory – III
Practical – III
Minor: Theory – III
Minor: Practical – III
Awareness Course III: Study of Classics I – Ramakatha Rasavahini
Semester 4
Theory – IV
Practical – IV
Minor: Theory – IV
Minor: Practical – IV
Information Technology
Awareness Course IV: Study of Classics II – Bhagavatha Vahini
YEAR 3
Semester 5
Theory – V
Practical – VA
Practical – VB
Music & Spirituality – I
Awareness Course V: Ethos and Values for the Changing World
Semester 6
Theory – VI
Practical – VIA
Practical – VIB
Music & Spirituality – II
Awareness Course VI: Life and its Quest
YEAR 4
Semester 7
Theory – VII
Practical – VIIA
Practical – VIIB
Internship
Awareness Course VII: Education for Life
Semester 8
Practical – VIIIA
Practical – VIIIB
Project Work
Awareness Course VIII: God, Society and Man