Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra

Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra traces its origins to Jhankar, a society founded in 1947 for the appreciation of Indian classical music and dance. As its activities expanded into formal training, it came to be known as Bharatiya Kala Kendra and later moved to Copernicus Marg, New Delhi. In 1952, it was formally registered as Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra under the Societies’ Registration Act.

The institution functions through two main wings: the College of Music and Dance and the Performing Arts Section. The college offers systematic training in Hindustani classical vocal and light classical vocal music, instrumental studies such as tabla, sitar, and sarod, and dance forms including Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Chhau (Mayurbhanj), and contemporary dance. The Performing Arts Section produces dance-dramas and touring productions across the country.

SBKK is closely linked to the Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts at Safdar Hashmi Marg in the Mandi House area, which houses a theater, repertory company, and acting school. The institution is situated within Delhi’s central cultural district, alongside Kamani Auditorium, Rabindra Bhawan, Kathak Kendra, the National School of Drama, Triveni Kala Sangam, and other major cultural bodies. The nearest metro station is Mandi House.

The Kendra has been associated with several leading figures in Indian music and dance. Artists and teachers connected with the institution have included Siddheshwari Devi, Shambhu Maharaj, Birju Maharaj, Munna Shukla, and Leela Samson. Kathak Kendra itself originated as the Kathak wing of SBKK in 1955 before becoming a national institute under the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

One of SBKK’s most recognized contributions is its annual Ramlila, a dance-drama based on the life of Rama. First staged in 1957, the production brought together choreography, music, theater, and design in a new format. The original script was written by poet Ramdhari Singh ‘Dinkar,’ with sets and lighting by Tapas Sen and Inder Razdan. The production was inaugurated by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and later became one of the earliest dance-dramas broadcast on Doordarshan. Over time, the Ramlila has evolved to incorporate varied choreographic styles and contemporary themes while remaining rooted in the Ramayana narrative.

The Kendra has also contributed to modern puppetry in Delhi through its long-running puppet section, which staged productions such as Dhola Maru, Jhansi Ki Rani, and Prithviraj-Sanjukta. The campus includes an art gallery and a library with a substantial archive of books, recordings, and visual material related to the performing arts.

SBKK organizes annual events such as the Shriram Shankarlal Music Festival, Kendra Dance Festival, and Holi Festival. In 2011, it instituted the Sumitra Charat Ram Award for Lifetime Achievement, first conferred on Pandit Birju Maharaj and later on Kishori Amonkar.

Today, under the directorship of Shobha Deepak Singh, the institution continues to function as a center for training, performance, and cultural continuity within India’s classical arts ecosystem.