Bahauddin Zakariya University —File Photo

MULTAN Lack of interest on part of Bahauddin Zakariya University administration allegedly resulted in closure of the music department in the College of Arts on Sept 4, only four years after its launch. 

The department was launched with the coordination of folk singer Surayyia Multanikar, who had been given Pride of Performance award to acknowledge her contribution to the folk music.

The official notification issued by Registrar Malik Munir Husain makes an interesting reading, which states 'The vice-chancellor has been pleased to close the department of music, College of Arts, with immediate effect.'

Multan College of Arts Principal Zaffar Haider Gilani, however, mainly blames 'the public lack of interest' for the closure of department. He says the varsity had no other option but to close the department as the number of students had gradually dropped to two from 30. The department was simply running in loss, he adds.

He claims the university and college administrations tried their best to make the music classes a success, but in vain. Ultimately, a five-member committee, constituted by the vice-chancellor, suggested closure of the department, he adds.

However, Surayyia Multanikar holds the varsity administration responsible for closure of the department, terming it regrettable. She says she was not even consulted while making the decision and was not even informed of the department's closure.

She alleges the varsity administration was more interested in closing the department than making it a success.

She says that she had even offered the administration to hire someone else to run the department but not to close it.

Pointing out the flaws in running the department, she says earlier the varsity administration had only allowed graduate candidates to apply for admission to music classes. Later, on her suggestion the condition was removed and lower educational qualification was reduced to matriculation, she says. 'Formal education doesn't matter as far as learning music is concerned. I have passed just seven classes,' she says.

Not allowing admissions to candidates belonging to professional singing families was also a flawed notion, she says. The administration was of the view that students with professional background would have a 'negative impact' on varsity's environment, she adds.

She considers high monthly fee as another reason which kept many away from the department. 'Earlier, the Rs1,500 fee was announced by the administration. But after I objected to it, they brought it down to Rs1,000,' she says, adding that even this is on higher side given the poverty and economic opportunity in the region.

'But in my opinion the reduced fee was also not affordable for the students and many of them were forced to leave their classes due to this reason also,' she adds. In India the fee for music classes being run by the government is not more than Rs300, she says.

She deplores the university never advertised the admissions to music classes and a majority of people were unaware of the classes. She says she wishes the varsity administration withdraws the decision to close the department.

She suggests the condition of education should be withdrawn, monthly fee reduced to Rs300, proper advertisement of admissions, hiring of competent staff and provision of all the required instruments for making the classes a success.

Prof Riffat Abbas, coordinator of Swali, a local literary and cultural organization, says the region had a rich tradition of music which could play a significant role in fighting extremism.

Terming closure of the department unfortunate, he alleges certain elements in the university are against promotion of art and culture.

He deplores that prime minister announced only Rs50,000 grant for the MCA while Rs50 million were given to the National College of Arts Lahore.