Kalakshetra

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Kalakshetra is a world renowned school of Classical Dance founded in 1936 by Rukmini Devi Arundale. The objective was to preserve, promote and develop the cultural & traditional dance, music as well as textile designing & weaving. This Temple of Art has been an institution devoted to preserving and revives the traditional dance forms that were losing their importance & popularity.

Rukmini Devi Arundale while starting the Kalakshetra institution attempted to integrate different dance forms and variants. During those times, the classical dance forms were not paid much respect, however the institution during the course of its significant history produced several famous alumni’s and played a major role in bringing glory to the art. The institute with a huge banyan tree at the center organizes classes in the campus cottages and sometimes in the open. A reverence for the arts is inculcated in the students at Kalakshetra.

Kalakshetra sprawls over 100-acre plot in Thiruvanmiyur region of South Chennai. True to the values behind its establishment, the institution has come to be associated with the cultivation and promotion of the ancient Indian cultural & traditions. Operating in the traditional gurukul system, it has attracted students from around the world who are trained in the ancient.

Various researches are conducted here on several renowned Sanskrit scholars and its Craft Education and Research Center is famous for reviving traditional South Indian saree patterns. Attractive sarees, dress materials and home linen are created by the Hand Block Printing Unit, apart from serving as a good source of livelihood for poor community destitute women.