Pracheen Kala Kendra

Chandigarh

Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh is a leading institution promoting Indian classical music, dance, and fine arts through education, examinations, performances, and research since 1956.

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About Pracheen Kala Kendra

Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh, is one of India’s oldest and most established cultural institutions dedicated to the promotion, education, and preservation of Indian classical music, dance, and fine arts. Founded with the vision of reviving traditional art forms, the Kendra operates as an affiliating and examining body, offering structured courses, certifications, and diplomas across disciplines.

The institution functions through multiple wings, including training, examinations, performances, and research. It provides systematic education in music, dance, and visual arts through a wide network of affiliated centers across India and abroad. Its certifications, such as Sangeet Visharad and Sangeet Bhaskar, are widely recognized for academic and professional purposes.

Pracheen Kala Kendra is also known for organizing major cultural events such as the All India Bhaskar Rao Nritya & Sangeet Sammelan, regular Baithak series, workshops, and festivals. These platforms feature both eminent and emerging artists, contributing to the continuity and visibility of Indian classical arts.

Through its research initiatives, publications, and outreach, the Kendra continues to serve as a significant platform for artistic exchange, training, and cultural preservation.

History

Pracheen Kala Kendra was conceptualized in 1956 by Guru M.L. Koser and a group of dedicated artists and patrons to revive Indian classical arts, which had seen a decline due to a lack of patronage. The institution was formally registered in 1957 under the Societies Registration Act.

With support from prominent figures, including the then-Punjab Governor and state leadership, the Kendra was established in Chandigarh as a structured organization for training, research, and performance in fine arts. Over the decades, it evolved into a national and international institution, often described as functioning on the model of an “open university” for performing and visual arts.

Under the leadership of Guru M.L. Koser and later Dr. Shobha Koser, the Kendra expanded its academic and cultural activities, building a large network of affiliated institutions and organizing significant festivals and performances.

Milestones such as the Silver Jubilee (1981), Golden Jubilee (2006), long-running Baithak series, and major Sammelans reflect its sustained contribution. Today, the Kendra continues its legacy under the guidance of Sajal Koser, maintaining its role as a major institution in the Indian classical arts ecosystem.