IIT Bhubaneswar introduces dance as B.Tech subject

Bhubaneswar, Sept 12: IIT Bhubaneswar has earned the name of being the first IIT in the country to introduce a dance form in its curriculum. It has introduced Odissi dance as a BTech subject, said director RV Rajakumar.

The classical dance form has been introduced as a breadth course of maximum 12 credits during the 12 four year BTech studies. This will involve weekly five hours of classes.

In the first year (first two semesters), students learn the dance form as an extra academic activity of one credit from a range including NSS, NCC, Yoga, badminton, volleyball and cricket. Whichever is chose, the person has to clear the subject in order to earn a BTech degree.

In the second and the third years, Odissi can be opted as an elective "breadth course" from among a range of subjects like Odissi, financial management, international relations and entrepreneurship.

Each of the second and the third semesters will have three credits, which needs to be cleared for BTech. IN the last year, however, one can get a diploma in Odissi, until he/she opts out of it.

Director Rajakumar explains th ereason behind introduction of such a subject, saying,"dance can broaden horizons of students studying specialised course." IIT dean academic affairs N C Sahoo said that Odissi exponents have been hired to design the curriculum of the course. He further said,"We have hired trainers for the courses. The Odiss study would include classroom teaching, activities while the exams would include written tests as well as demonstration of techniques."

OneIndia News