The Maharashtra government has sanctioned INR 210.50 crore for an international music college, named after the legendary vocalist Lata Mangeshkar. The state higher and technical education department announced this in an order last week about two years after the college was officially announced.
Maharashtra's Directorate of Arts (DoA), owns a 7,000-square-meter plot within the University of Mumbai's Kalina campus. This plot is the chosen site for the music college. The Bhumi Poojan ceremony is scheduled for February 7 by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. According to reports, the institution will open in the next 3 years.
The idea of honouring the late artist with an international music college was first proposed by the Uddhav Thackeray-led government in January 2022. The planned name for the college was "Bharat Ratna Lata Dinanath Mangeshkar International College of Music and Museum". An advisory board has been set up to assist the government in establishing the international institution and its course offerings.
The college will offer both certificate and degree courses. As the new building has not been built yet, six certificate courses have already begun at the interim location, Ravindra Natya Mandir in Prabhadevi. The college recently celebrated its first graduation.
The DoA had initially proposed a budget of INR 380.37 crore. However, a high-power committee led by the chief secretary approved INR 210.50 crore. HT quoted Chief Secretary Nitin Kareer, explaining that this decision was based on the technical suggestions of the Public Work Department (PWD).
The design and strategy for the international music college have also been finalised by the state government. The chief minister will present them on February 7. According to reports, the DoA conducted a competition to finalise a design for the college. The Mangeshkar family endorsed the concept and strategy.
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