UP until now, Indian classical music had relied on the Gurumukhi tradition of education, wherein a teacher would orally impart lessons that students would practise later on. But this 21st century lockdown is changing that. Classes have now shifted online, not just for classical music, but for other genres as well. Physical learning has come to a complete standstill. So what does this mean for youngsters keen to learn vocals or an instrument? What are the pros and cons? And will this new method of education persist in the future, even when the situation has normalised?

Sitar maestro Niladri Kumar is one person who has the answers, considering he is conducting digital classes right now as part of The Foundation Room (TFR), a music school started under the auspices of his father, Pt Kartick Kumar. He says that personally, there is a certain merit to the Gurumukhi tradition that can't be replicated online. But he adds that he is also working on a blended model where the feeling of being up close and personal with your teacher can be achieved even in the virtual world. One way of doing this is to send a recorded video to students at the end of each class.