A 49-year-old movement,rooted in selfless service
The Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music & Culture Amongst Youth — SPIC MACAY — is a non-profit, voluntary, non-political and participatory student movement, registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
To have every child experience the inspiration and mysticism embodied in Indian and World heritage.
- · Enrich the quality of formal education.
- · Go beyond the barriers of techniques and methods.
- · Learn about the journey from the very best.
It began in 1977 — at IIT Delhi.
Dr. Kiran Seth, a professor at IIT Delhi, founded SPIC MACAY in 1977 with a simple, urgent observation: India’s classical art forms — its music, dance, theatre, crafts, and the gurus who carry them — were quietly disappearing from the lives of young people.
He started by inviting masters into classrooms — not for formal concerts, but for intimate lecture-demonstrations where students could see, hear, and ask questions. That format became the heart of SPIC MACAY.
Today, four decades later, the movement runs 5,000+ programs a year across 1,500+ institutions, in 800+ cities, in 25+ Indian states and on four continents — operated almost entirely by student volunteers in the spirit of Nishkaam Seva (selfless service).
Dr. Seth was awarded the Padma Shri in 2009 for his contribution to the arts.
Why a US arm — and why now.
SPIC MACAY USA is the formal United States chapter of SPIC MACAY — a registered US non-profit established to bring the same mission to American university campuses.
With active student chapters at 16+ leading US universities, an artist roster of Padma awardees, and partnerships with the Indian Embassy and missions, SPIC MACAY USA exists to champion India’s classical heritage in the United States — for the next generation of students, of every background, who will carry it forward.
We are governed by a US board of directors and operated by student coordinators across our chapter network.
The journey so far.
- 1977
Founded by Dr. Kiran Seth at IIT Delhi as a non-profit, voluntary student movement.
- 1986
Gurukul Anubhav launched — students live with a guru for a month each summer.
- 2009
Dr. Kiran Seth honored with the Padma Shri for his contribution to the arts.
- 2011
Awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Award for promoting communal harmony.
- 2018
Recognized with the FICCI NGO Award for outstanding work in the cultural-education space.
- 2026
11th International Convention at IIT Kharagpur — and the formal launch of SPIC MACAY USA.