Kalakshetra Foundation

Chennai

Kalakshetra Foundation is a premier arts and education institution based in Chennai, established in 1936 by Rukmini Devi Arundale. Founded with the objective of reviving and nurturing India’s classical arts, particularly Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music, the institution has grown into a nationally recognised centre for performing and visual arts. Recognised as an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India in 1993, Kalakshetra functions as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture. Its campus in Thiruvanmiyur serves as a residential and academic hub for traditional arts education, performance, research and craft revival.

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About Kalakshetra Foundation

Kalakshetra was conceived as an arts centre where music, dance and visual arts could thrive under structured guidance rooted in Indian aesthetic values. Established initially within the campus of the Theosophical Society in Adyar, it later moved to its present 100-acre campus in Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai.

The institution operates through the Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts, offering full-time diploma and post-diploma programmes in:

Bharatanatyam
Carnatic Music (Vocal, Violin, Veena, Flute, Mridangam)
Visual Arts

Training follows the traditional gurukulam model, integrating theory, language, music and stagecraft with practical performance.

Kalakshetra also includes:

A dedicated Repertory Company performing the dance dramas choreographed by Rukmini Devi.
The Craft Education and Research Centre (CERC), which revives traditional weaving and Kalamkari practices.
Archives, research libraries, a museum housing over 5,000 artefacts, and multiple performance venues including Bharata Kalakshetra Auditorium and Rukmini Arangam.
Associated educational institutions such as Besant Arundale Senior Secondary School.

The foundation continues to function as both an academic institution and a performing arts centre, hosting concerts, dance productions, lecture demonstrations and festivals.

History

Born in 1904 in Madurai, Rukmini Devi Arundale was deeply influenced by the ideals of the Theosophical Society and figures such as Annie Besant and George Arundale. After marrying Dr. George Arundale in 1920, she travelled widely and was exposed to global artistic traditions.

A pivotal moment came when she met the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, who encouraged her to explore the dance traditions of her own country. Rukmini Devi subsequently trained in Bharatanatyam under Pandanallur Meenakshisundaram Pillai and others, at a time when the art faced social stigma.

Her public performance in 1935 marked a turning point in the modern presentation of Bharatanatyam. She restructured stagecraft practices—standardizing costumes inspired by temple sculpture, organizing orchestra placement, and refining the the pedagogy of adavus.

On 6 January 1936, she founded the International Centre for Arts (later renamed Kalakshetra). What began under a tree with a single student gradually developed into a comprehensive arts institution. The foundation stone of its present campus was laid in 1961, and the institution relocated fully in 1962.

Beyond dance and music, Rukmini Devi was active in animal welfare legislation and served as the first Chairperson of the Animal Welfare Board of India. She declined an offer in 1977 to become president of India, choosing instead to continue her work at Kalakshetra.

Today, Kalakshetra remains closely associated with the Kalakshetra style of Bharatanatyam, its repertory productions, and its integrated approach to arts education, preserving the founder’s vision of combining artistic excellence with ethical and cultural values.