Mukund Padmanabhan, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IITKGP) has endowed significant resources to strengthen the Academy of Classical and Folk Arts (ACFA) at his alma mater. Under his support, ACFA, a newly created Arts academy in the world-famous engineering school, will create a musical auditorium, conduct several Folk Arts workshops and engage teaching fellows under the name of Guru Krupa Foundation (GKF), a non-profit organization created by Mr. Padmanabhan.
Pallab Dasgupta, AK Singh Chair Professor, and Prof. Joy Sen, are heading this unique program to introduce IITKGP architectural and engineering students to the classical and folk arts, and encourage use of such artistic talents to supplement the highly-competitive technical education.
IIT Kharagpur Foundation (IITKGPF) is proud to bring alumnus like Mukund Padmanabhan in active engagement with their alma mater, said Ron Gupta, President of IITKGPF and an alumnus himself. "It is my privilege to be able to give back to the institution that laid the foundation for my career," said Mukund Padmanabhan.
"Students of IIT Kharagpur constitute a rich talent pool of cultural virtuosity combined with exceptional creative intellect. We believe the Academy will open up new forays for expression of this talent, nurtured through a deeper understanding of our unique cultural heritage, and study through the lens of Science and Technology," added Professors Dasgupta and Sen. The Academy, ACFA, has had additional contributions and support from other alumni, including Arjun Malhotra and Kiran Seth.
"I am thankful to all of the alumni for supporting IIT KGP in developing a new pedagogy in teaching and learning the arts that will go a long way in preserving the core fundamentals of the traditional art form," said Subrata Chattopadhyay, Avinash Gupta Chair Professor, and Dean Alumni Affairs.
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, an academic institute of global repute and a statutory body created under the provisions of the Indian Institute of Technology (Kharagpur) Act 1956, has its main campus at Kharagpur, India.
Guru Krupa Foundation of Jericho, NY is a 501(c)(3) exempt Private Foundation.
IIT Kharagpur Foundation of Omaha, Nebraska, is a 501(c)(3) exempt organization.
