An Institution of National Importance
An autonomous body Under Ministry of Culture Government of India
Report for the Month of October 2017
1. Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts
(i) Workshop on ‘Daasar Padangal’ was conducted by Shri Madhwa Prasad, ‘A’ Grade Mridangam Artist on 12th- 13th October 2017.
(ii) Lecture Demonstration on ‘Visual perspective’ was conducted by Shri Sasikumar Kaniyappan, faculty at NIFT Chennai, on 13th October for Visual Arts students.
(iii) Semester examination for RDCFA was conducted during the month.
2. Craft Education and Research Centre
I. Production
Sl. No. Printing Section No. of items Kalamkari Section 1 Table cloth with mat & Napkin 17 Nos. 2 Dress material 49.35mts 3 Sari 59 Nos 4 Blouse bits 30 Nos
Painting Section
1 Wall panel (Big) 8 Nos
2 Handloom Sari 8 Nos
Made up articles 1 Table mat 7 napkins 13 Nos
Weaving Department 1 Silk Sari 12 Nos 2 Cotton sari 32 Nos
II. Sales
Weaving Department Rs. 2,68,039 Kalamkari Unit Rs. 2,14,927
4. Library
(i) 100 books have been catalogued, classified and their details entered into the system. (ii) 50 books have been classified for manual entry.
5. Archives
(i) 1700 cassettes have been catalogued and sent to IGNCA for digitisation on October 28th 2017. (ii) The next lot of 1500 cassettes, 75 VHS tapes and 50 beta cam has been indexed for IGNCA for digitisation, to be sent on 15th November 2017.
6. Theatre
Bharata Kalakshetra Auditorium (Koothambalam): Renovation work relating to Civil and Electrical has been awarded to CPWD in the month of May 2017. CPWD are in the process of tendering and the work is likely to be taken up in December 2017.
Rukmini Arangam is under renovation. Civil Work is in full swing and is expected to be completed by end of December 2017.
In the absence of a performance space, it has not been possible to schedule various annual art events.
7. Repertory
(i) A team of 34 members from Kalakshetra Foundation performed ‘Koormavataram’ Dance Drama on 13th October 2017, 6.30 pm, at Anna University Campus as part of ‘The India International Science Festival (IISF)’ organized by National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT). The theme for IISF was “Deep Ocean Mission”. An honorarium of Rs.1,80,000/- was paid to Kalakshetra Foundation.
(ii) Kalakshetra Foundation showcased two Bharatanatyam performances on 20th & 21st October 2017 at Hampi as part of the ‘Paryatan Parv’ festival organized by Ministry of Culture. A four-member team from Kalakshetra Foundation participated in the program. The entire expenditure was met by Department of Tourism, Govt. of India.
8. Central Office
Large scale cleaning: There is a vast vacant land of the Foundation contiguous to the main campus near to the seashore. On one side of it is a densely populated area adjacent to our boundary wall for about 200 meters stretch. Residents of this area have been using the Foundation area as a garbage dump. The entire stretch was thoroughly cleaned by removing the bushes and the accumulated garbage by engaging machinery such JCB, Tractors. The public representatives of the local area have been requested to help us in stopping the residents from throwing garbage inside the Foundation.
Search Committee Meeting for selection to the post of Director, Kalakshetra Foundation - The Search Committee meeting was held on 30.10.2017 at Kalakshetra Foundation and the shortlisted candidates were interviewed by the Committee. The recommendations have since been forwarded to the Ministry.
9. Outreach
(i) The Tagore Hall Monthly program was held on 19th October 2017. Hari Katha recital by Ms Varsha Bhuvaneshwari followed by a Bharatnatyam concert by Ms. Madhumitha Sriram.
(ii) Gita Govindam, Kalakshetra’s upcoming publication is being edited by Ms. Lakshmi Viwanathan. The work is in progress.
(iii) An effort has been made to prepare a brochure for distribution to visitors of the Foundation. It is being edited.
(iv) A proposal for scholarship grant for Rs. 5 Lakhs was sent to Murugappa Group of Companies - Tube Investments of India on 31st October 2017.
(v) Aanmajothi, the cultural wing of Saraswathi Vidyalaya in association with Kalakshetra Foundation has conducted dance workshop in 6 Corporation run Schools.
(vi) As a part of Mentorship program 2017 -2018 dance and music students have been receiving mentoring session.
(vii) Facebook page and Facebook account updated with latest event information.
(viii) To provide a platform for artists, Kalakshetra Foundation has been inviting musician and dancers to perform at the Foundation premises which is called monthly concerts.
10. Besant Arundale Senior Secondary School
(i) Study tour was conducted for the students of class XII from 2nd -5th October 2017. They were taken to Tanjore and Gangaikonda Cholapuram to study art and architecture of Temples.
(ii) On 6th October 2017, students were awarded Kala Gaurav awards, teachers were given Kalabhushan and the principal received Kalakvibhushan from Kalabharti Child Art Development Institute.
(iii) On 12th October, English Olympiad Examination was conducted for students of classes II – XII. A total of 128 students gave the exam.
(iv) Senior students won first place in the basket ball tournament conducted by Sri Sankara Senior Secondary School on 13th October 2017 as a part of Inter School Cultural Competition.
(v) On 24th October, Annual Day was celebrated in a grand manner in the school premises. The Cultural Program brought out ‘Unity in Diversity’ of India culturally showcasing Music, Dance and Drama related to various states.
(vi) From 26th to 28th October 2017, the teaching staff along with the Principal attended a workshop at The Valley School, Krishnamurti Foundation India, Bangalore. The workshop focused on ‘the attributes of a teacher and what makes teaching the greatest and noblest profession’.
11. Besant Theosophical Higher Secondary School
Annual Day was celebrated on 27th October 2017. Shri Natarajan, MLA Mylapore (Ex- IPS) was the Chief Guest for the day. Awards were given to the meritorious students and various cultural programs organised. ***