Plans for an interdisciplinary program in India Studies are in the works, with hopes that the proposed honours double major will be in place by 1998.

    "There is now a clearly visible resurgence of interest among scholars, business persons, governments and the vast community of Indian diaspora," says Rasesh Thakkar, professor of economics and director of the program in planning. "A large segment of students and scholars at York feel a strong need to study the life, culture and society of modern India."

    Courses in this area began at York in the early 1970s. Since 1987, 15 courses dealing exclusively with India have been offered. In addition, several courses with a large Indian content are available in urban economics, women's studies, religious studies, visual art, dance, music and theatre. There are more than 2,000 students of Indian origin at York.

    "It now seems necessary to develop an overall framework which can integrate a variety of India-related activities in teaching, performance and research, which until now, have been scattered across various departments and faculties without any central focus," Thakkar says. "We wish to develop a comprehensive Centre for India Studies with its focal point a chair that is to be established in the study of an appropriately selected aspect of contemporary India."

    In 1986 York joined Shastri Indo Canadian Institute, which has, as one of its mandates, the development of India studies in Canada and Canadian studies in India. York's joining was "a clear indication that we were serious about developing India Studies," says Thakkar, who has been one of the directors of the Institute since 1995. He also served as a director from 1987 - 1990. The Institute is jointly funded by the federal governments of Canada and India.

    The Institute has 22 member universities in Canada. "York is looked on as a strong centre for India studies," Thakkar says. "Indian scholars now choose York as their headquarters. York's Fine Arts program is unique in Canada, in terms of its scope, systematic coverage and interlinking." York's stress on interdisciplinarity will make the new program truly innovative, he adds. "A program such as ours, which focuses on the study of modern India and her arts and culture, will satisfy an increasing demand from government and business."

    In March Thakkar circulated the proposal to the 'Indianists' at York, faculty members who are involved in India studies, as well as interested administration representatives.

    India Studies at York will focus on three areas: the study of modern India through humanities, social sciences, philosophy, mass communications, business and public administration, science and technology, law, environment, education, women's studies, ethnic studies and migration; the exploration of the performing arts of India, including dance, music, theatre, film, television and visual arts; and the study of the Indian diaspora in Canada and the U.S.

    "We will start with a modest projection of 10 students to be enroled in 1998/99 and in the following year we visualize a jump in enrolment to 15 entering students," Thakkar forecasts.

    Last month a $250,000 endowment fund was set up to support student bursaries in this area. The endowment will provide two Nirvan Bhavan Scholarships for undergraduate scholarships in the Faculties of Fine Arts and Arts, and the India Studies program, as well as one graduate fellowship. Each scholarship is valued at $3,000. Every year, at least one award must go to a Fine Arts student. A Nirvan Bhavan Graduate Fellowship, worth $6,500, will be given annually to a graduate student who is engaged in studies or research on the arts, society, and/or culture of India.

    The Nirvan Bhavan Awards have been made possible through a grant of $83,333 from Nirvan Bhavan, a non-profit, charitable organization incorporated in Ontario in the late 1970s. There will be matching funds from the provincial government's Ontario Student Opportunity Fund and York, enabling Nirvan Bhavan to establish the $250,000 endowment. Since the organization was formed, it has also been striving to raise funds to establish a cultural centre for people of East Indian origin in the Metro Toronto area.

    Menaka Thakkar, a renowned Indian classical dancer and choreographer, has pledged $15,375 to establish an endowment for student scholarships in the Department of Dance. Her gift will be matched by the provincial government. Thakkar is a professor in the Department of Dance. In 1993, York awarded her a Doctor of Letters honoris causa in recognition of her contribution as a performer, teacher, choreographer and eminent scholar, and her dedication to her art and the Canadian dance community.

    The Manorama and Bhanuchandra Thakkar Endowment, named for the dancer's parents, will support three new awards in the department: The Manorama Thakkar Award in Indian Dance; The Menaka Thakkar Award in World Dance; and The Sudha Thakkar Award in Western Dance.

    Fundraising for the program and centre began in a concentrated manner in 1987, when the Institute celebrated the 40th anniversary of India's independence, Rasesh Thakkar explains. In August of this year fundraising will be directed around the 50th anniversary celebrations. A series of activities will be planned, including a variety of cultural events, a major international conference, and the launch of a joint York/University of Toronto monthly seminar series about India.