Institution of National Importance An autonomous body Under Ministry of Culture Government of

Report for the Month of October 2018

1. Central Office

 Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited, one of the largest tractor manufacturers in India has gifted a Tractor to Kalakshetra Foundation on 12.10.2018. This will be used for ploughing purposes and for transportation of goods in the sandy terrain.

 Fifty third meeting of the Governing Board of Kalakshetra Foundation was held on 11th October, 2018 under the Chairmanship of Shri N. Gopalaswami.

2. Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts

 After pooja holidays from 09.10.2018 - 18.10.2018 the college reopened on 19.10.2018 with Vijayadasami celebrations at 09.00 a.m. at Rukmini Arangam. Guru Smt.R.Vedavalli was the Chief Guest and blessed the students.

 Lecture demonstration by Shri Joe Daly was conducted on "How to prevent injury" for the 1st & 2nd Year dance students of Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts on 20.10.2018. Navarathri celebrated in the campus with traditional kolu at Tagore Hall and Pooja every day for 9 days.

 Semester examination of the College was conducted during October 2018

3. Craft Education and Research Centre

I. Production for the month of Oct 2018

Sl. No. Block Printing Section No. of items

1 Sari 85 2 Single bed spread 8 3 Duppatta 11 4 Table cloth 6 5 Dress materials 20.70 mts 6 Towels 10 7 Stole 43

Sl. No. Hand Painting Section Numbers 1 Wall panel 1 2 Sari 2 3 Duppatta 13

Sl. No. Handloom products Numbers 1 Silk Sari 9 2 Silk Stoles 12 3 Cotton sari 36 4 Dance Dawani 32

II. Sales

Handloom products Rs. 2,92,650 Block printing & Hand painting Rs. 1,88,497 products

4. Museum

48 photographs were catalogued

5. Theatre

‘Shanthi Sutra’ premier on 1st October 2018 As part of the yearlong 150th Anniversary Celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi, Kalakshetra Foundation created a new dance production named ‘Shanthi Sutra’ on the lives and works of Mahatma Gandhi and Rukmini Devi. The production showcased multi-lingual songs and hymns portraying the multifarious dimensions of both personalities and would also include short theatrical presentations as a connecting thread to the different themes incorporated. The premier was held on 1st October 2018 at Rukmini Arangam.

Variety Program on 22nd October 2018

Kalakshetra Foundation has presented a Variety Program which was a pan-Indian compendium of classical and folk dance forms for the foreign delegates of National Biodiversity Authority on 22nd October 2018 at Rukmini Arangam.

6. Repertory

‘Shanthi Sutra’ performances on 3rd & 4th October at New Delhi

Kalakshetra Foundation was invited by Ministry of Culture to present two performances of the new production ‘Shanthi Sutra’ in Abhimanch Auditorium at National School of Drama on 3rd & 4th October 2018 as part of the 150th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi. In this, NSD was the Venue Partner. Smt. Nirupama Kotru and Shri. S.C. Barmma, Joint Secretaries, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, were chief guests for the program.

7. Outreach

Kalakshetra Foundation’s new website is being updated with new content and photos.

 To take art to underprivileged children Kalakshetra in collaboration with a NGO called Aanmajyothi runs dance classes in seven Corporation run schools  Various articles on Shanthi Sutra were published, to name few:

• City Express dated 27th/ September 2018 • Hindu’s article dated 25/10/2018 https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/dance/shanti-sutra-kalakshetras-twin- homage/article25321523.ece • Chennai Times dated 7th October 2018 • Indian Express • Times of India, Chennai dated 30/9/2018 • - Friday review, Delhi dated 12/10/2018 • Asia Age Delhi dated 11/10/2018 http://www.asianage.com/life/art/111018/a-bharatanatyam-weave-of-threads-spun- by-2-indian-visionaries.html  Organized a guided tour for a group of 5 French people on 8th October 2018. It was conducted by Dr. V R Devika.  There were around 80 – 90 visitors for the non-guided tour as well.

8. Besant Arundale Senior Secondary School

 The School was closed for Pooja Holidays on October 7th and reopened on Vijayadasami, 19th October.  On 23rd October 153 students from class II –XII participated in English Olympiad  Ministry of Human Resource and Development, Government of India conducted ‘Kala Utsav’, a competition to promote Fine Arts among students. Sanjana Ramesh of class XI competed for classical dance and Samyuktha of class XI competed for Violin. Both secured first place at district level and were selected for State Level. Sanjana Ramesh participated in the state level competitions and secured first position and has been selected for the National Level Competition to be held at New Delhi.  Students of Fine Arts, Classes XI and XII attended a lecdem session ‘Kalanjali’ conducted by Ghatam, artiste Sri Uma Shankar.  CBSE conducted Cluster VI Boys and Girls V-17 and U-19 Basket Ball Tournament. The School was venue for the U-17 girls’ matches from 24th October to 26th October. About 60 teams participated and the school took all efforts for smooth conduct of the matches.

 On 26th October all students and teachers took the Integrity Pledge on the occasion of Sardar Vallabhai Patel’s birthday.  A poster making competition on the topic ‘Save water’ was conducted for students of classes 3-5 as a part of the Co-curricular competitions by Science Club.  Kalakshetra Foundation has brought in Online Payment facility for fees and other transactions to encourage cashless transaction. Message has been sent through UOLO App also and during the open day the parents were encouraged to use the facility.