S. Vishnu Sharma
Top 20 music colleges in India are for those students who aspire to study music from a well-known or popular institution.
Studying music opens doors for a great career and a degree from one of the top 20 music colleges in India makes the career prospects more bright.
The purpose behind this article informing about top 20 music colleges in India is to help students make a right choice of educational institutions during the admission.
The list of top 20 music colleges in India is given below for the sake of students:
1. Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT, New Delhi)
If the word is about studying music for a great career in life then this institute is one of the place to be.
The educational institution also known as AAFT began its innings in 1990 and is an integral education and training academy of Marwah Studios, which is a leading entertainment and media conglomerate.
Currently this institution is said to be one of the largest media education hub in Asia.
AAFT offers globally-accepted standards of media education in the field of Film Making, Journalism, Performing Arts, Advertising, Acting, Interior Design, Dance, Digital Marketing, Animation and Fashion Design.
Bachelor of Performing Arts (Music) and Master of Performing Arts (Music) are among the music courses offered here.
Even PG diploma in Music Production and Diploma in Music Production are among the courses offered here.
This is one among the top 20 music colleges in India. The website to know more is ‘https://aaft.com/’
2. The Calcutta School of Music (West Bengal)
The school is a ‘one stop’ destination for anything and everything related to music and performing arts providing instruction in musical subjects on one hand as well as arranging concerts, master classes, workshops and appreciation sessions throughout the year.
World famous musicians like Yehudi Menuhin, Zubin Mehta, Isaac Stern, Mstislav Rostropovich and Pt. Ravi Shankar have performed at concerts organised by the School in Kolkata and some have visited the institution as well.
The Calcutta School of Music is one of the premier institutions in India.
It was established in 1915 by Dr. Phillipe Sandré, a musician of considerable calibre and a contemporary and friend of the famous composer Saint Saëns.
It is probably the only school in the country which has such a wide ranging canvas of musical disciplines covering both Indian and Western, Classical and Contemporary music, dance, drama and speech.
Among the courses offered here are junior music class, junior choir, piano, violin and classical guitar.
Needless to say, this is also among the top 20 music colleges in India.
The website is ‘https://www.calmusic.org/’
3. KM Music Conservatory (KMMC, Tamil Nadu)
KMMC in Chennai in Tamil Nadu is the first institution of its kind in India.
It is a higher education institution established in 2008 by A.R. Rahman Foundation.
It offers a range of part-time and full-time courses in Hindustani and Western classical music.
Under the patronage of its founder, A.R. Rahman it is located in the purpose-built campus of KM College of Music and Technology, which also houses commercial recording studios and The Sunshine Orchestra for underprivileged children.
Faculty are drawn from around the world, with specializations in musical performance, musical theory and analysis, music history and music technology.
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This is also among the top 20 music colleges in India. The website to know more is ‘http://www.kmmc.in/’
4. Lovely Professional University (Punjab)
This higher education institution which is also popularly known as LPU offers music course at undergradation and post graduation levels.
At undergraduation, the institute offers BA in Music (Vocal) which is of three year duration. At the post graduation level, the university offers MA in Music (Vocal).
The post graduation course is of two year duration. Candidates who have passed plus-two can apply for undergraduation in music.
Students who have passed graduation in music or graduation in any discipline with music as one of the subjects can apply for post graduation.
The selection is based upon the performance in qualifying exam and also the score in the written test – LPU NEST.
This is also one among the top 20 music colleges in India. The website to know more is ‘https://www.lpu.in/’
5. Sri Venkateswara University (Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh)
Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati , is established in 1954 in the world famous holy temple town of Tirupati on the sprawling campus of 1000 acres with a panoramic and pleasant hill view.
The department of Performing Arts offers MA in Music which is of two years duration. The department was established in 1989.
Right from its inception, the University has been laying more emphasis on teaching, research and extension activities in different subjects.
The range of subject departments, courses and research programmes undertaken and promoted during the last 60 years reflect Sri Venkateswara University’s commitment in promoting socially relevant and inter-disciplinary programmes.
The university has grown excellently from strength to strength over the past 60 years, as a premier institute of higher learning under the able and committed leaderships of successive vice-chancellors.
This is also one among the top 20 music colleges in India. The website to know more is ‘https://www.svuniversity.edu.in/’
6. Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music (Chennai, Tamil Nadu)
There is no dearth of institutions offering quality education when it comes to music.
Needless to say, this institution located in Chennai in Tamil Nadu is one of the institution to be considered if one aspires to study music.
The institution is known to provide dynamic, diverse and comprehensive learning environment to students who wish study music performance, audio engineering and music technology.
The course structure, curriculum and expert faculty at the institute ensures the students learn all the skills required to establish them in the music industry.
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Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music provides a comprehensive and effective academic program that teaches varied genres of music from across the globe.
The opportunities for students who live and learn at the academy are endless.
Its achievements in the field of music education have made this institution one among top 20 music colleges in India.
The website to know more is ‘http://sam.org.in/’
7. Rabindra Bharati University (West Bengal)
This institution needs no introduction as it has become a known name in the field of education for fine arts.
Be it Dance or Drama, or Instrumental Music or Vocal Music, courses offered here with regards to them attract students in large numbers.
The Rabindra Bharati University was established in 1962 to mark the birth centenary of the legendary poet Rabindranath Tagore, who was the first Indian as well as Asian recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature.
It is a State University named after Tagore dedicated to the mission of disseminating his thoughts and ideas through humanities, social sciences, art and culture.
The Rabindra Bharati University thus features uniqueness in projecting itself as a centre for higher learning in performing arts, fine arts, language, literature and social sciences.
This institution is a fine place to learn music course at undergradution and post graduation levels.
Individuals who want delve deeper into nuances of music can also pursue doctorate here.
Needless to say, this is also among the top 20 music colleges in India.
The website to know more is ‘http://www.rbu.ac.in/’
8. The Music Academy (Chennai, Tamil Nadu)
A journey to Chennai will never be complete without a visit to this academy which does yeoman service towards preservation of classical music.
The academy organises classical music programmes where noted artistes perform. The organisation also plays a crucial role during the music season.
Music Academy ogranises lot of classical music performances which receive great deal of attention from music admirers across the globe.
The Music Academy, Madras is a landmark institution in the history of the fine arts.
It emerged as an offshoot of the All India Congress Session held in Madras in December 1927.
A music conference was held along with it and during the deliberations, the idea of a Music Academy emerged.
Music Academy began its innings after inauguration on August 18 1928. Music Academy runs Advanced School of Carnatic Music which was started in August 2010.
The course offered here is Advanced Diploma in Carnatic Music (Vocal).
Applicants should have passed plus-two and should be in the age of 18 to 30 years. They should be able to sing varnams, kritis.
This is also one among the top 20 music colleges in India. Its website is ‘https://musicacademymadras.in/’
9. Delhi School of Music (New Delhi)
If one is looking to learn music in the national capital of this country, this is one of the institutions that one can approach.
The Delhi School of Music which was established by the Delhi Music Society, is currently the premier institution for the teaching of western classical music in the capital.
It caters to about 1400 students annually, and provides instruction on musical instruments (Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello, Guitar, Recorder, Keyboard, Flute, Saxophone, Clarinet, Drums), singing and dance.
The School came into being in 1966 under the direction of Dr. H.J. Koellreutter, a musician and composer who was also the head of the Max Mueller Bhavan in Delhi.
From 1970 onwards, the school has been headed by a succession of experienced Indian teachers with qualifications in western classical music.
The well qualified faculty and an ideal learning atmosphere make this institution one of the top 20 music colleges in India.
The website to know more is ‘https://delhimusicsociety.net/dsm.asp’
10. The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (Gujarat)
One will never be able to forget this institution as it happens to be a fine abode of learning performing arts.
This institution is known for its Bachelor of Performing Arts in Music (Vocal), Bachelor of Performing Arts in Instrumental Music (Sitar and Violin) and Bachelor of Performing Arts (Tabla).
In 1884, Shrimant Sayajirao Gaekwad III founded a “Sangeet Shala” in Baroda.
This became the college of Indian Music, Dance and Dramatics, part of the Faculty of Fine Arts, at the inception of the M.S. University in Baroda in 1949.
Since 1986, it has been known as the Faculty of Performing Arts, one of the star institutions in India for in-depth study of the classical performing arts.
It is a unique faculty of its kind in the entire western region, which imparts training at the university level in performing arts viz. Music, Dance and Drama offering courses up to Ph. D. in these disciplines.
The faculty attracts students from different regions of India and also the students from abroad.
The is also among the top 20 music colleges in India. The website to know more is ‘https://www.msubaroda.ac.in/Academics/Faculty’
11. Christ Deemed to be University (Bengaluru, Karnataka)
The course in music is offered at this one among the top 20 music colleges in India is offered by Department of Performing Arts, Theatre Studies and Music.
Its mission is to inspire and mentor the birth and sustained growth of artists who, through cultural ethos, will embody respect, humanity, and discipline.
The Performing Arts are a universal language that goes beyond the physical and geographical boundaries of the world.
They bring people closer to themselves and a glimpse into the lived experiences of others, and the shared experiences of humanity.
The primary aim of the programme is to introduce the students to the possibilities of the art form and help them to gain an integrated sense of it through the application of theory via practical means.
The course offered here is BA Music (Western) along with Psychology and English Studies (MPE).
The Department of Performing Arts, established in 2010, initially started as a branch of the Department of Media Studies with one coordinator and two faculty members, and a mere strength of 20 students.
In August 2012, it was declared as an independent department and since then, it has flourished and grown to the overall strength of 75 students, 3 permanent and 2 guest faculty members.
Website ‘https://christuniversity.in/departments/main%20campus/school%20of%20arts%20and%20humanities/performing%20arts,%20theatre%20studies%20and%20music’
12. Miranda House (New Delhi)
Take the name of reputed institutions in India this college would not escape attention. This is also one among Top 20 music colleges in India.
The music course at undergraduate level is offered here as BA Hons Music. The postgraduate course in Music is offered as MA Music.
Miranda House has a rich legacy. Established at dawn of independence it provided a unique opportunity to young women for quality higher education.
They set for themselves high goals and ideals. They worked for a new society in which women would enjoy equal opportunity with men in professional and public fields.
Miranda House has a special place among the women’s colleges of the University of Delhi.
Its location in the heart of the University Campus, and its close interaction with the various Departments of the University and other campus colleges gives it a unique advantage.
Website ‘https://www.mirandahouse.ac.in/index.php’
13. Banasthali Vidyapith (Rajasthan)
This institution is also a known name in the field of higher education.
The courses offered here attract attention of students in large numbers every year.
Established in 1943, The department of Music has been one of the oldest departments of Banasthali .
It has the honor of having great personalities as its architects such as Raja Bhiya Poonchwale, S.C.E.R. Bhatt, Pt. Vinayak Rao Patwardhan and Narayan Rao Vyas.
The department was the first to start M.A. Music (Vocal and Instrumental) under the headship of Prof. B.R. Deodhar and later the personalities like P.N. Chichore and N.V. Patwardhan have headed the department.
The course offered here is MA Music with specialisations in vocal and instrumental music.
The college also offers MPhil in Indian Music and this is also among the Top 20 music colleges in India.
Website ‘http://banasthali.org/banasthali/wcms/en/home/lower-menu/faculties/fine-arts/dept_of_music_and_dance/academic_programs/index.html’
14. Indraprastha College for Women (New Delhi)
The national capital has many institutions where music admirers can join to learn music course.
Indraprastha College for Women is one such institutions which offer various course in music.
The course in music here is offered at undergraduate level with specialisations in Hindustani Music, Carnatic Music, Percussion Music.
The course (BA Hons Music) is a three-year bachelor programme, admission to the course is based on entrance test.
Classes for the main papers are held at the Faculty of Music, University of Delhi.
Students are given extensive training in Hindustani and Karnatak classical music in both the vocal and instrumental forms.
This is also among the Top 20 music colleges in India.
Website ‘http://www.ipcollege.ac.in/Default.aspx’
15. Ramjas College (New Delhi)
Great organisations always make history and this institution is not an exception to this point.
The course in music is offered at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Ramjas College.
Founded in 1917 by the great educationist and philanthropist, Rai Kedar Nath, Ramjas College is one of the oldest colleges of Delhi.
Beginning from the humble precincts of Darya Ganj in Old Delhi, the College today boasts of a spacious campus, state-of-the-art infrastructure and an esteemed faculty of scholars trained at leading universities in India and abroad.
Learning music at undergraduate or postgraduate levels in this institution can be an experience worth cherishing here.
No wonder, this is also known as one among the top 20 music colleges in India.
Website ‘https://ramjas.du.ac.in/college/web/index.php’
16. Queen Mary’s College (Chennai)
There are many institutions that have created history in the southern part of India and this institution is one of them.
It is also popularly known as QMC or Queen Mary’s. Music course is offered here at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
At the undegraduate level, the course is known as BA Music and at postgraduate level, the course offered is MA (Indian Music).
Queen Mary’s College has been in the forefront of the education of women ever since July 1914, when the Government of Madras instituted the Madras Women’s College.
The initial intake of 33 students was housed in a modest building called ‘Capper House’.
However, by 1915, the college premises were expanded through the government’s annexure of the area surrounding Capper House.
At this stage it offered only Intermediate courses. In 1916 under graduate courses were offered in History and Economics.
Eventually Intermediate courses in subjects like Geography, Indian Music, Physics, Chemistry and Home Science were introduced.
This is also one of the top 20 music colleges in India.
Website ‘https://queenmaryscollege.edu.in/index.html’
17. Amity University (Noida)
The reputation of this institution has crossed the boundaries of this nation long ago.
The Amity University has been established by an act of State Legislature and recognized by University Grants Commission (UGC) through the Act of State Legislature.
Amity has some of the most talented and dedicated thought leaders in the country who come from the best institutions around the world.
No wonder, why this is also among the top 20 music colleges in India.
The course offered here is Bachelor of Performing Arts with specialisations in Tabla, Hindustani Music and Instrumental Music.
The faculty and senior team travel all over the globe to learn and imbibe the best practices so that they can give a solid foundation for learning.
Website ‘https://amity.edu/course-list.aspx?fd=Performing%20Arts&Programs=Graduate’
18. Banaras Hindu University (Uttar Pradesh)
This is among those institutions that do not need any description.
The name and fame of this organisation has crossed the boundaries of this nation. Various courses are offered here and one of them is music.
The Faculty of Performing Arts is a premier institution in the country that inculcates the students both Kala and Vidya through Performing Arts.
As a seat of traditional learning the Faculty of Performing Arts initially names as ‘Sri Kala Sangeet Bharti’, was instituted as a college of Music and Fine Arts in the year 1950.
Due to the relentless efforts of Pt.Govind Malviya and the founder Principal Sangeet Martand Pt. Omkarnath Thakur in 1966 the college got reshaped with three distinct departments viz. Vocal Music, Instrumental Music and Musicology.
Over a period of five decades the academic activities of the faculty are nurtured through training students from all over the world in the classical traditional art of Music and Dance, both the North and South Indian genres.
Faculty has the glory of having outstanding artists, creative musicians, scholarly teachers and musicologists as faculty members, many of whom were honored by prestigious Padma Awards, National & State awards and fellowships in recognition of their contributions in the field of Performing Arts.
The website ‘https://www.bhu.ac.in/performing_arts/’
19. University of Madras (Chennai)
This is another institution that has created a space for itself in the arena of higher learning in this country.
Department of Indian Music offers postgraduate course in music in various specialities. MA is offered in Indian Music, Folk Music, Rhythmology.
The department also offers certificate courses in carnatic music and voice training.
Madras University is the mother of almost all the old Universities of south India. The University area of jurisdiction has been confined to three districts of Tamil Nadu in recent years.
This is consequent to establishment of various universities in the State and demarcation of the University territories.
This University has been growing from strength to strength while widening its teaching and research activities.
This is the one among the top 20 music colleges in India.
Website ‘https://www.unom.ac.in/index.php?route=department/department/deptpage&deptid=38’
20. Kurukshetra University (Haryana)
The search for institutions to learn courses in music will yield fine results in India as there is no dearth of them.
This university is also another place where music admirers can avail courses related to music.
Highly qualified faculty and world class facilities make this institution one among the top 20 music colleges in India.
Department of Music & Dance started in October, 1975 initially with M.A. Music (Vocal/Instrumental) two years course with intake of 10 seats only.
Dr. N.V. Patwardhan was the first Head of the Department.
Thereafter, Professor V.K. Agarwal, Dr. Madhu Bala Saxena, Dr. Suresh Gopal Shrikhande, Dr.(Mrs.) Asha Pande and Dr.(Mrs.) Kala Shrikhande acted as Chairpersons of the Department.
The Department has special emphasis on research alongwith teaching of Indian Classical Music and Dance.
Website ‘https://kuk.ac.in/information.php?action=showContent&L01_id=OA==&L01_direction=H&L03_id=NzM=&L02_id=NDE=&sublevel=y’
Conclusion
Music is offered at various levels in these top 20 music colleges in India.
While some of these top 20 music colleges in India offer music at undergraduation level, few others offer at both under graduation and post graduation levels.
And, couple of these top music colleges in India may even offer music course as diploma or a post graduate diploma.
Students can choose courses as per the interest.
They can visit the respective websites of these top music colleges in India and know the courses offered there and then decide on taking the course.
Students aspiring to study music must also be prepared to handle tough admission process.
Many among these top 20 music colleges in India may have tough admission process and may require applicants to pass entrance tests which are not easy to pass.
And, music enthusiasts willing to get a seat in these top 20 music colleges in India must be prepared to pass the tough entrance system.
When a study in these top 20 music colleges in India can brighten career prospects, working hard to get a seat there is worth it.
Students are advised to visit the respective websites of these top music colleges in India and familiarise themselves with the admission process so as to reduce the chances of rejection.
Individuals willing to know more can also directly approach these top 20 music colleges in India with help of contact details present on their respective websites.