Pandit Iman Das is the Hindustani Classical Singer of Patiala Gharana. He believes Indian classical music is beneficial for holistic development. ‘I believe schools must provide music lessons to students,’ he says. ‘Indian classical music can increase one’s IQ and dual concentration level’, he adds. ‘There has to be a reason she was handed the Veena,’ he adds of Goddess Saraswati, who is worshipped for learning and wisdom. ‘We can’t deny that in today’s time, most kids are fans of Western music as compared to our Indian classics,’ says Pandit Das, who has suggested to the government that schools across the nation to make musical education mandatory, organise workshops with maestros, and play soft raga music like sitar, sarod, etc during recess so that children are exposed to this art form – directly or indirectly. He adds: ‘Music and ragas must be introduced to children at an early stage, for their holistic development’
