Classical Music Teacher in Rural India
Meet Akshay Sakunke- A Professional Classical Music Teacher who breaking the odds have started to deepen the roots of Classical Hindustani Music in Rural places of Western Ghats in Maharashtra. Director of Vijay Music Academy, he has taken a oath to spread the Classical Music to the masses from rural places where things are not so favorable for music learning.
Courtesy : Vijay Music Academy- Goregaon, Raigad, Maharashtra
Akshay Salunke is a Tabla Visharad and completed his Diploma in Light Music. A participant of Guinness Book Record holder for playing tabla organized by Art of Living Institute. Along with that he is a versatile rhythmist, playing Pakhwaj, Mridang and Maharashtrian percussion instrument Dholki. Akshay has started his journey ten years back in 2010–11 with very few number of school going students in and around the locality. Soon the movement got appreciation from schools and colleges nearby where the students from Vijay Music Academy started performing in various cultural and traditional events. It was the efforts taken by him to make the students ace in their music learning journey. As a result of hardwork and success Akshay had to scale the work of music to more nearby places. Starting with his new branches in Mhasla Raigad, Mandangad, Ratnagiri and latest in Borli, a village near Diveagar, Raigad. Many interested students fled from nearby villages to see what music learning was. Akshay being himself from a middle-class family knew the money factor that always came as hurdle for learning advance music lessons, had made very simple for the students in rural places to join his academy. He charges them with very less and affordable price with promise of professional coaching and appearing for the Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya exams. This helps many students with benefits from their schools and colleges to pursue carrier with government aids. The music classes are held in batches of students and their school and college timings so as no body miss the classes. A very interactive environment has been maintained in the academy so as to help the new students to adjust and adapt the ways of learning.
Glimpse from the Vijay Music Academy
Students of Vijay Music Academy
Post-Covid : Vijay Music Academy
Covid- 19 had impacted to the academy as well, teaching music was not possible in the academy, also not every student was having the resources for online live music learning. Understanding the current situation Akshay started recording videos of the music lessons and sending them over WhatsApp and students would practice the lessons through it. Also for students who were unable to pay fees were allowed free coaching for a year. This way the musical journey did slowed down but was not halted and kept moving further.
A Musical Composition By Vijay Music Academy: Samad- Akshay
Here it is how the real life influencer set an example to the society by their work.
Educating the under privileged is what the real development is which we think people like Akshay Salunke are doing at their best. It is a very important lesson or an inspiration for all of us. Even we should take a step further and standout to make our society much better with all the ways you can!
Feel free to contact Akshay Salunke:
Vijay Music Academy, Goregaon, Mangaon, Raigad
Email:- vijaymusicacademy6699@gmail.com
Call: 7276338181
