Chennai, February 24, 2006: Indian classical music has not been given its due place by the international music community, legendary Hindustani classical singer Pandit Jasraj said today and likened it to India not being bestowed with a permanent membership in the United Nation Security Council.

"Though the world has recognised India as a 'power', the world body does not think it fit enough to be made a permanent member of the Security Council. Indian classical music, with its long age and tradition, is also being treated like that," he said.

Coming down heavily on the Centre for not doing anything substantial for the promotion of Hindustani and Carnatic music, he said his repeated plea for starting an exclusive channel by Doordarshan for Indian classical music found no takers.

Even private channels are not coming forward to start an exclusive channels for sastriya sangeet, he said, adding patronage by satellite channels was a must for the development of classical music.

He said the western music world had not given due recognition to Indian classical music. Awards like Grammy awards should be instituted for classical music, he said.

Time was not far off for instituting such awards, he said adding that he, along with other musical geniuses were toying with an idea of Indian music awards, which would recognise all music systems.