Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced on Thursday that the state government has provided approximately six acres of land in Lucknow’s Kakrabad area for a new campus of Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya. The announcement came during the university’s centenary celebrations .
Chief Minister Adityanath stated that the institution, established in 1926, had facilities sufficient for its original scope. He noted current facilities are now inadequate for contemporary educational needs. Adityanath directed both the university administration and the Department of Tourism and Culture to ensure the new infrastructure meets global benchmarks in its design and functionality.
Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya: A Historical Overview
The university originated as a music school in Lucknow in 1926 . It was founded by Pandit Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande , a pivotal figure in the revival and systematization of Hindustani classical music. The establishment received significant support from local patrons of music, including Rai Umanath Bali and Rai Rajeshwar Bali, within the culturally rich princely state of Awadh.
The institution’s inauguration was conducted by Sir William Marris, then the Governor of Awadh, leading to its initial designation as “Marris College of Music.” A significant change occurred on March 26, 1966 , when the Uttar Pradesh government assumed control of the college. Concurrently, it was renamed “Bhatkhande College of Hindustani Music,” honoring its esteemed founder.
Further institutional elevation occurred on October 24, 2000 , when the Union government officially declared the institute a deemed university. This decision followed a formal request from the state government. The university underwent another transformation in June 2022 , when it was renamed Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya. This latest renaming reflects an expanded academic scope, incorporating a wider array of art forms beyond its traditional focus on music.
Pandit Bhatkhande’s Enduring Legacy
Chief Minister Adityanath specifically highlighted Pandit Bhatkhande’s foundational work, executed during India’s colonial period. Bhatkhande is credited with providing a rigorous scientific framework for Indian music. His methodological innovations included introducing classical discipline, developing a structured curriculum, and establishing a systematic approach for the study and performance of Hindustani music. His comprehensive efforts involved classifying intricate ragas and talas and integrating the revered guru-shishya tradition with modern educational practices. Adityanath characterized Bhatkhande’s work as a historical and crucial effort to instill self-respect, self-esteem, and stability within Indian culture during a challenging era.
Youth Engagement with Indian Culture
Addressing contemporary perspectives, Adityanath challenged the notion that modern youth are drifting away from Indian cultural roots. He cited the forthcoming Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj as a powerful illustration of cultural engagement. The Chief Minister referred to data from past large-scale religious congregations, indicating that more than 66 crore devotees participated. Notably, he emphasized that young people constituted the largest demographic among these participants. Adityanath concluded that this massive youth involvement demonstrates their inherent desire to engage with cultural events, provided suitable platforms and opportunities are made available.