Smart city: Corpn to support musical projects

The move has come nearly two years after the UNESCO recognised Chennai as “city of music” in its creative city initiative. Recently, Chennai Corporation joint commissioner (revenue and finance) R Lalitha had participated in the UNESCO Creative Cities annual conference held in Italy.

A Chennai Corporation official said that the civic body had already set up a governing body to support the music forms of the city. “The governing body constitutes eminent musicians and music organisations,” the official added.

Explaining the intention, the official said that the idea is to support all kinds of music forms being practised in the city not only the December festival.

“Projects related to music will be implemented under the Smart City Mission. However, the proposal is in the beginning stage,” he added.

UNESCO, while including the city in creative cities network, had envisaged to set up projects in public schools to encourage music apart from creating space for professionals to interact with urban planners. “The plan also includes engaging communities of disadvantaged areas in new avenues and professional opportunities in the music field,” the official said.