Udupi: The foundation stone for a music school which would impart training in Indian and Western music was laid near the moola Shiroor Mutt here on Friday.

Lakshmivara Tirtha Swami of Shiroor Mutt, Ishavittaladasa Swami of Kemar Sandipani Ashram, and percussionist Sivamani laid the foundation stone here.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sivamani said that the music school would take another two to three years to materialise.

The school will reach Indian traditional Carnatic ‘taals’, along with the Western style of drums.

It will also focus on cultural exchange of Indian and Western music. He would leave for the U.S. and visit his favourite music college – the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) there.

“I will talk to them (in PAS) to link up with the music school, which we will establish here. We will train our students here and later send them for training in PAS and participation in their music festivals. The members of PAS will come and perform in our music school,” he said. “I want to train the kids with proper music writing notations.

It will be like a ‘Gurukula.’ I will supervise the music school. I will bring some drummers from abroad. We also have a lot of great drummers in the country. We will bring these drummers here to teach the students about the techniques. It is an ocean. We will train the students,” Mr. Sivamani said.

The Shiroor seer had a dream of establishing a music school here. “I support this venture whole-heartedly. The seer has a feel for music instruments and can also play them. He has unconditional love for music,” Mr. Sivamani said.

The Shiroor seer said that he had known Mr. Sivamani for the last 25 years. “Music is our breath. Even the gods used to play musical instruments. Music gives us peace of mind. Mr. Sivamani is a great devotee of music. He has widespread recognition. It is great that he will supervise the music school,” he said.