Hip-hop aficionados can now now live out their Gully boy fantasies and study all about them, especially if they are a student under the University of Mumbai (MU). A suburban college will be starting off the first batch in the course of Introduction to Hip-Hop Studies, more than a year after the varsity gave its nod for the course to be initiated. Vile Parle’s Usha Pravin Gandhi College (UPG College) is the first one to start off with this varsity level course in March. The registrations for the same have already started off, Hindustan Times reported.
Hip-hop has been a favourite performing art through the years but a college level course will help the artists in getting an in-depth knowledge of the subject. Yatindra Ingle, a professor at the college who helped plan out the study material and will be involved in coordination of the course at the college reportedly said that the way the course has been designed, it is an important step for both art and history and also the contemporary life with respect to the art form.
“Due to its cultural relevance and its tendency to promote through its connection with students—an increased social and cultural awareness can be created in an academic setting through this course,” Ingle was quoted as saying.
The 60-hour certificate course spanning three months was originally supposed to be launched 2 years ago but was to be reviewed by an expert panel and the nod came in 2019.
Ingle, who is a rapper himself since 10 years now and is a known face in Mumbai’s rap circles, believes the course will also be factoring in as a tool of communication as the art form originally developed as a communicative medium in New York where African Americans and other oppressed groups in the country were trying to be vocal about their issues.
As for the curriculum, the certificate course is expected to start off with a basic introduction to the performing art form and the themes attached to it. The course will also discuss the women who have used hip-hop as a medium along with the the art form across borders including other areas of the art. The course is also expected to get experts to help students with the practical aspects of the art and also written exams to succeed in the course.
The university is also eventually planning to broaden the scope for the course by introducing a diploma and a master’s degree in subsequent batches.