SPIC MACAY Advisory Board members during the Golden Jubilee Year meeting held at India International Centre, New Delhi (Dynamite News)
New Delhi: As SPIC MACAY approaches the completion of 50 years of promoting Indian classical arts and cultural heritage, its Advisory Board Meeting was held at the India International Centre, New Delhi, to discuss the organisation’s future vision and Golden Jubilee celebrations.
The meeting brought together prominent educators, administrators, cultural leaders, media personalities and public figures to reflect on SPIC MACAY’s journey and explore ways to strengthen the movement in the coming years.
The meeting was convened by Dr Kiran Seth, Founder of SPIC MACAY, and Mrs Rashmi Malik, Chairperson of SPIC MACAY Foundation. Discussions focused on the organisation’s core philosophy, future initiatives and strategies to expand its reach among younger generations.
The meeting was chaired by Ravi Shankar Prasad, Member of Parliament and former Union Minister, who shared his personal association with the movement.
Recalling his early connection with SPIC MACAY, he said his sister Anurradha Prasad encouraged him to attend a vocal recital by legendary musician Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, organised by the organisation.
He also remembered Dr Kiran Seth’s cycle journey across India, describing it as an important effort in spreading the message of SPIC MACAY.
Suggesting future initiatives, Ravi Shankar Prasad emphasised increasing the organisation’s social media presence, exploring collaboration with the Government of India and taking cultural programmes deeper into rural India.
Arun Bharat Ram, Chairman of SRF, highlighted the importance of volunteerism in SPIC MACAY’s success. He said the organisation represents a unique partnership between volunteers and artists, where artists contribute towards inspiring young minds.
Arjun Malhotra, Co-Founder of HCL, spoke about the evolution of SPIC MACAY’s philosophy and the importance of creating institutions that encourage sustained engagement with arts and culture.
He cited the example of the Academy of Fine Arts at IIT Kharagpur as a model for building spaces that nurture creativity and artistic learning.
During the discussions, several suggestions were presented to strengthen SPIC MACAY’s presence as it enters its Golden Jubilee year.
Ideas included creating curated digital playlists, improving social media outreach, increasing government partnerships and exploring new platforms to connect with audiences.
A key point highlighted during the meeting was the need for the younger generation to take an active role in shaping the future of SPIC MACAY while preserving the values of cultural awareness, volunteerism and service.
The meeting was attended by several distinguished personalities, including Mugdha Sinha, Managing Director, India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC); K. Satish Nambudripad, former Director General, Doordarshan; Linn Siri Benjaminsen, Counsellor and Head of Economic Team, Royal Norwegian Embassy; Ashok Pratap Singh, President, Board of Trustees, Modern Schools; Dr Dalbir Singh, Chairman, One Globe Forum; Anurradha Prasad, Editor-in-Chief, News24; Prof A.K.S. Suryavanshi, Vice-Chancellor, Karnavati University; Prof. (Dr.) Mahesh Verma, Vice-Chancellor, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University; Prof. Prateek Sharma, Vice-Chancellor, Delhi Technological University; Prof. Rishikesha T. Krishnan, Vice-Chancellor, Ashoka University; Manoj Tibrewal Aakash, Editor-in-Chief of Dynamite News; and Katikithala Srinivas, Secretary, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, Government of India.
The presence of leaders from different fields reflected the wide impact and relevance of SPIC MACAY’s cultural movement over nearly five decades.
The Advisory Board Meeting marked an important milestone as the organisation prepares for its Golden Jubilee year in 2027.
The discussions focused not only on celebrating the past but also on creating a roadmap for the future — expanding cultural outreach, embracing modern platforms and inspiring new generations to connect with India’s rich artistic traditions.
