New Delhi

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) submitted a memorandum to Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Thursday seeking to make it mandatory for every Indian carrier to play Indian music in order to promote it.

"Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) joins the fraternity of musicians, singers and artistes associated with India traditional music, in demanding that playing Indian classical or light vocal and instrumental music in aircraft being operated in India and also at various airports be made mandatory for all India based airlines," ICCR’S president Vinay Sahashtrabuddhe said.

ICCR invited Scindia to a programme and submitted a memorandum to him and said that if the idea is implemented Indian music will get a boost.

"I come from the music city of Gwalior, which has been the city of Tansen and has also been an old house of music, Indian ancient music has a history of many years and people have a lot of curiosity in ancient music too," Scindia said.

Sahasrabuddhe said he was happy with Scindia’s comment.

"Music played by most airlines across the globe is quintessential of the country to which the airline belongs. For example, it is most likely that we shall come across Jazz in an American airline or Mozart in an Austrian Airline, and Arab music in an Airline from the Middle East. However, it is extremely unfortunate and even ironic that most airways in India seldom, if at all play Indian music. Our music mirrors our rich heritage and culture and it is one of the many things every Indian has a reason to be truly proud of," Sahashtrabuddhe said.