Thamil Isai Kalaamanram
Encyclopedia
Thamil Isai Kalaamanram (TIKM) is a non-profit organization
dedicated to promoting carnatic music
and bharathanatyam dance in Ontario
, Canada
, headquartered in Toronto
. Founded in 1992, this Toronto
-based organization has grown to become the widely-accepted conservatory of South Indian music and dance, servicing over 160 classical music teachers in Canada.
The 3 main goals of TIKM are: (1) to provide opportunities for young singers, musicians, and dancers to stage their performances; (2) to provide opportunities for Canadians to listen to professional artists from India
and Tamil Eelam
; and (3) to conduct standardized carnatic music and bharatanatyam
dance examinations for students from grades one to seven.
Besides organizing all events and exams, the Executive Committee is responsible for any fundamental changes to the constitution. If necessary, Subcommittee members aid in event organization and execution. In 2005, the Executive Committee passed a motion that created an Advisory Committee of five internally-chosen Carnatic professionals. This committee helps with changes to the music syllabus and other issues. The Executive Committee must approve Advisory Committee changes before they are introduced to the organization.
dance examinations for Canadian students, which they hold in Toronto
in the fall. The last examination cycle, in 2005, had over 2000 applicants from more than 100 teachers. Originally, the tests were administered in the following subjects: vocal, violin, veena
, flute, and Mridangam. In 2002, Bharatanatyam dance was introduced.
These exams consist of seven grades, and have been modeled after similar testing centres in South India and Sri Lanka. Other than the introductory Grade 1, which contains only of a practical component, all subsequent grades require successful completion of both the practical and the theoretical elements. From Grade 4 onwards, an oral component is also introduced, and this level represents the informal watershed between junior and senior students. The final Grade 7 exams have a significant teaching component to prepare graduates for music education.
In these tests, a panel of judges grade students into four categories: distinction (75-100%), first division (65-74%), second division (55-64%), and ordinary pass (45-54%). These candidates receive certificates and plaques (for distinction and first division students) during the Isai Vizha celebrations held during in late winter. Besides these four categories, two other divisions apply to unsuccessful candidates: “referred” (for a pass in practical, but failure in theory), and “unsuccessful” (for failure in both practical and theory components). These candidates must retake tests in the next examination cycle to apply for subsequent grades.
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
dedicated to promoting carnatic music
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
and bharathanatyam dance in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, headquartered in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. Founded in 1992, this Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
-based organization has grown to become the widely-accepted conservatory of South Indian music and dance, servicing over 160 classical music teachers in Canada.
The 3 main goals of TIKM are: (1) to provide opportunities for young singers, musicians, and dancers to stage their performances; (2) to provide opportunities for Canadians to listen to professional artists from India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and Tamil Eelam
Tamil Eelam
Tamil Eelam , is the name given by certain Tamils in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora to the independent state which they aspire to create in the north and east of Sri Lanka. Tamil Eelam has no official status or recognition by any other state or authority...
; and (3) to conduct standardized carnatic music and bharatanatyam
Bharatanatyam
Bharata Natyam or Chadhir Attam, is a classical dance form from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, practiced predominantly in modern times by women. The dance is usually accompanied by classical Carnatic music...
dance examinations for students from grades one to seven.
Organization
Since its conception, TIKM is a volunteer-run organization. Its current administrative organization consists of four levels: members, assistant directors, executive directors, and advisory directors. Membership is open to all, and official members can present new motions and make suggestions at the Annual General Meeting held in January. At this meeting, the organization elects members to positions in either the Executive Committee (executive director) or in the Subcommittee (assistant director). Within the Executive Committee, several management positions are also chosen, including the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Vice-Secretary, and Treasurer. As of 2004, these annual elections are held once every three years to facilitate completion of larger projects.Besides organizing all events and exams, the Executive Committee is responsible for any fundamental changes to the constitution. If necessary, Subcommittee members aid in event organization and execution. In 2005, the Executive Committee passed a motion that created an Advisory Committee of five internally-chosen Carnatic professionals. This committee helps with changes to the music syllabus and other issues. The Executive Committee must approve Advisory Committee changes before they are introduced to the organization.
Examinations
Since 1992, the principal activity of TIKM is to organize standardized Carnatic music and BharatanatyamBharatanatyam
Bharata Natyam or Chadhir Attam, is a classical dance form from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, practiced predominantly in modern times by women. The dance is usually accompanied by classical Carnatic music...
dance examinations for Canadian students, which they hold in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
in the fall. The last examination cycle, in 2005, had over 2000 applicants from more than 100 teachers. Originally, the tests were administered in the following subjects: vocal, violin, veena
Veena
Veena may refer to one of several Indian plucked instruments:With frets*Rudra veena, plucked string instrument used in Hindustani music*Saraswati veena, plucked string instrument used in Carnatic musicFretless...
, flute, and Mridangam. In 2002, Bharatanatyam dance was introduced.
These exams consist of seven grades, and have been modeled after similar testing centres in South India and Sri Lanka. Other than the introductory Grade 1, which contains only of a practical component, all subsequent grades require successful completion of both the practical and the theoretical elements. From Grade 4 onwards, an oral component is also introduced, and this level represents the informal watershed between junior and senior students. The final Grade 7 exams have a significant teaching component to prepare graduates for music education.
In these tests, a panel of judges grade students into four categories: distinction (75-100%), first division (65-74%), second division (55-64%), and ordinary pass (45-54%). These candidates receive certificates and plaques (for distinction and first division students) during the Isai Vizha celebrations held during in late winter. Besides these four categories, two other divisions apply to unsuccessful candidates: “referred” (for a pass in practical, but failure in theory), and “unsuccessful” (for failure in both practical and theory components). These candidates must retake tests in the next examination cycle to apply for subsequent grades.