Vadodara was home to the first music college in India

Did you know that Gaayan Shaala or the Faculty of Performing Arts as it is now known, was the first of its kind music college to open in western India.

Located near the Sursagar Lake, it was established by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III in the year 1886. It was first named the Anglo-Vernacular School but the name was changed to Faculty of Performing Arts after the start of the Maharaja Sayajirao university of Baroda.

This college trains people in the fine arts of music, dance and drama. Even PhD courses are offered in these areas. The college also attracts international students from countries like USA, Japan and Mauritius. Ustad Murtuza Khan headed the college till 1899, and then it was headed by a Russian jew by the name of Mr. Fredlis, who was the then manager of Baroda State Band.

Some of their very well known alumni include Ustad Tasadduq Hussain Khan, Aftab e Mousiqui Ustad Faiyaz Hussain Khan ‘Rangeele’, Ustad Atta Hussain ‘Ratanpiya’, Ustad Nissar Hussain.

The institution was awarded the status of a separate faculty from in 1984, and was named as Faculty of Performing Arts of The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. Currently the Faculty is divided in 4 departments — Department of Dance, Department of Music (Indian Classical/Vocal), Department of Music and Department of Dramatics.