Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra
Encyclopedia
Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra (SBKK) is an India
n cultural institution which runs a noted school for music
, dance
and performing arts
in New Delhi
, founded by Sumitra Charat Ram in 1952. And imparts training in Indian classical dance styles and music, including Kathak
, Bharatanatyam
, Odissi
, Chhau, Hindustani Classical music
, both Vocal and Instrumental. It associated organisation is the Shriram Centre for Performing Arts at Safdar Hasmi Marg, in the Mandi House area, the cultural hub of Delhi, the centre includes a theater for the performing arts, a theatre repertory company and an acting school.
Often referred as Bharatiya Kala Kendra, the Kala Kendra hold an important place in history performing arts education in India. Its current director is Shobha Deepak Singh daughter of its Smitra Charat Ram. Today it is most known for its annual Ramlila
production, the enactment of the life of Rama
which takes place during the Dussehra festival month, and first started here in 1957, and over the years has used different choreographers, style to include both folk and Indian classical dance to produce fresh choreographies.
and dance, gradually it started offering training in music and dance and came to be known as Bharatiya Kala Kendra. Eventually it moved to Copernicus Marg where it was renamed Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra, later it was registered under the same name in 1952, under the Societies' Registration Act XXI of 1860. It now has two sections, the College of Music and Dance, and the Performing Arts Section.
Noted musicians, singer and dance guru of the era worked at the Kendra, including Siddheshwari Devi
Shambhu Maharaj
, Birju Maharaj
, Munna Shukla
and Leela Samson
. Kathak Kendra was originally established as the Kathak wing of the Shriram Bharitya Kala Kendra, in 1955, through the efforts of Nirmala Joshi, the first secretary of the Sangeet Natak Akademi
, under the patronage of Sumitra Charat Ram, wife of industrialist, Lala Charat Ram of Shriram Group. here noted Kathak guru, Shambhu Maharaj
, taught and his nephew Birju Maharaj
. It was later taken over by Sangeet Natak Akademi
and shifted to nearby Mandi House to become the National Institute of Kathak Dance
. Founder Director, Sumitra Charat Ram was later awarded the Padma Shri
by Government of India
in 1966, while her daughter and present Director, Shobha Deepak Singh in 1999.
The Kendra has its own puppet troupe for many years, run by Rahi and Keshav Kothari, while the Puppet Section of the Kendra staged several important productions over the years, including Dhola Maru, Jhansi Ki Rani and Prithiviraj-Sanjukta, which even won the first at Puppet festival in Udaipur. This played an important role in establishing modern puppetry in Delhi. The Kendra also houses an art gallery at the ground level and its library has a large and rare collection of books, audio and visual recordings and extensive archives.
" production, a dance drama based on life of Rama
, at the Kendra has become an institution by itself. The first production took place in 1957 by Shobha Deepak Singh, ideas from Nirmala Joshi, the first secretary of the Sangeet Natak Akademi. The script was written by Hindi poet, Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar'
, while Tapas Sen, and Inder Razdan, designed the set and the lights. Narendra Sharma and Jayanti Sharma were principal actors and it was inaugurated by then PM Jawaharlal Nehru. It was one of the first dance dramas to be shot and relayed by Delhi Doordarshan
. The Ramlia also weaves contemporary socio-political issues into the storyline of the epic of Ramayana
.
, and in the Mandi House area, Delhi’s cultural hub. It stands next to its sister body the "Kamani Auditorium" and Delhi's premier auditorium opened in 1971. On the other side is Rabindra Bhawan, which houses a host of apex government bodies for arts and culture, including, the Sangeet Natak Akademi
, the Lalit Kala Akademi
, while Doordarshan
Directorate is across the road. Also close by are Kathak Kendra, National School of Drama
, Triveni Kala Sangam and Little Theatre Group.
Its nearest Delhi Metro
station is the Mandi House station
.
, close to the Kendra, it is run by the Indian National Theatre Trust established in 1958 the promotion of Art and Culture, with people like Sheila Bharat Ram, Kamla Devi Chattopadhyay and Nandita Kriplani associated with it. The Centre runs a certified Two Year Acting Course. The SRCPA Theatre Repertory Company started in 1980 and Puppet Theatre company, which over the years saw the rise of modern puppetry under puppeteer Dadi Padamjee
.
The present building of the Centre opened in the early ‘60’s. It was designed by Shiv Nath Prasad with help from theatre doyen, Ebrahim Alkazi
, and was constructed under the overall supervision of industrialist Vinay Bharat Ram of Shriram Group (DCM Ltd.
), from the industrialist family of Lala Shri Ram. The Shankar Lal Murli Dhar Auditorium has a capacity of 556 people at two levels. In 1978, the basement at the Centre was converted into a theatre with flexible seating and performing areas.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n cultural institution which runs a noted school for music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
, dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
and performing arts
Performing arts
The performing arts are those forms art which differ from the plastic arts insofar as the former uses the artist's own body, face, and presence as a medium, and the latter uses materials such as clay, metal or paint which can be molded or transformed to create some physical art object...
in New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
, founded by Sumitra Charat Ram in 1952. And imparts training in Indian classical dance styles and music, including Kathak
Kathak
Kathak is one of the eight forms of Indian classical dances, originated from Uttar Pradesh, India. This dance form traces its origins to the nomadic bards of ancient northern India, known as Kathaks, or storytellers...
, Bharatanatyam
Bharatanatyam
Bharata Natyam or Chadhir Attam, is a classical dance form from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, practiced predominantly in modern times by women. The dance is usually accompanied by classical Carnatic music...
, Odissi
Odissi
Odissi, also spelled Orissi , is one of the eight classical dance forms of India. It originates from the state of Orissa, in eastern India. It is the oldest surviving dance form of India on the basis of archaeological evidences. The classic treatise of Indian dance, Natya Shastra, refers to it as...
, Chhau, Hindustani Classical music
Hindustani classical music
Hindustani classical music is the Hindustani or North Indian style of Indian classical music found throughout the northern Indian subcontinent. The style is sometimes called North Indian Classical Music or Shāstriya Sangeet...
, both Vocal and Instrumental. It associated organisation is the Shriram Centre for Performing Arts at Safdar Hasmi Marg, in the Mandi House area, the cultural hub of Delhi, the centre includes a theater for the performing arts, a theatre repertory company and an acting school.
Often referred as Bharatiya Kala Kendra, the Kala Kendra hold an important place in history performing arts education in India. Its current director is Shobha Deepak Singh daughter of its Smitra Charat Ram. Today it is most known for its annual Ramlila
Ramlila
Ramlila is a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Lord Ram, ending up in ten day battle between Lord Ram and Ravan, as described in the Hindu religious epic, the Ramayana...
production, the enactment of the life of Rama
Rama
Rama or full name Ramachandra is considered to be the seventh avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism, and a king of Ayodhya in ancient Indian...
which takes place during the Dussehra festival month, and first started here in 1957, and over the years has used different choreographers, style to include both folk and Indian classical dance to produce fresh choreographies.
History
Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra finds its origin in a Jhankar, a society founded in 1947 for an appreciation of Indian classical musicIndian classical music
The origins of Indian classical music can be found in the Vedas, which are the oldest scriptures in the Hindu tradition. Indian classical music has also been significantly influenced by, or syncretised with, Indian folk music and Persian music. The Samaveda, one of the four Vedas, describes music...
and dance, gradually it started offering training in music and dance and came to be known as Bharatiya Kala Kendra. Eventually it moved to Copernicus Marg where it was renamed Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra, later it was registered under the same name in 1952, under the Societies' Registration Act XXI of 1860. It now has two sections, the College of Music and Dance, and the Performing Arts Section.
Noted musicians, singer and dance guru of the era worked at the Kendra, including Siddheshwari Devi
Siddheshwari Devi
Siddheswari Devi was a Hindustani singer from Varanasi, India, known as Maa . Born in 1907, she lost her parents early and was brought up by her aunt, the noted singer Rajeshwari Devi.-Initiation into Music:...
Shambhu Maharaj
Shambhu Maharaj
Pandit Shambhu Maharaj was a celebrated Guru of the Lucknow Gharana of the Indian classical dance form, Kathak. -Early life and training:...
, Birju Maharaj
Birju Maharaj
Brijmo Mishra popularly known as Pandit Birju Maharaj is currently the leading exponent of the Varanasi Kalka-Bindadin gharana of Kathak dance in India.He is a descendant of the legendary Maharaj family of Kathak dancers, including his two uncles, Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj, and his father...
, Munna Shukla
Munna Shukla
Munna Shukla is a Kathak guru and choreographer of Lucknow Gharana based in New Delhi, India. Born to a family who has been involved in dance for generations, Munna Shukla specializes in Kathak, a classical dance form of North India...
and Leela Samson
Leela Samson
Leela Samson is a Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer, instructor and writer. As a soloist she is known for her technical virtuosity and has taught Bharatanatyam at Shriram Bhartiya Kala Kendra in Delhi for many years; presently she is the chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification ;...
. Kathak Kendra was originally established as the Kathak wing of the Shriram Bharitya Kala Kendra, in 1955, through the efforts of Nirmala Joshi, the first secretary of the Sangeet Natak Akademi
Sangeet Natak Akademi
Sangeet Natak Akademi is the national level academy for performing arts set up by the Government of India.-History:...
, under the patronage of Sumitra Charat Ram, wife of industrialist, Lala Charat Ram of Shriram Group. here noted Kathak guru, Shambhu Maharaj
Shambhu Maharaj
Pandit Shambhu Maharaj was a celebrated Guru of the Lucknow Gharana of the Indian classical dance form, Kathak. -Early life and training:...
, taught and his nephew Birju Maharaj
Birju Maharaj
Brijmo Mishra popularly known as Pandit Birju Maharaj is currently the leading exponent of the Varanasi Kalka-Bindadin gharana of Kathak dance in India.He is a descendant of the legendary Maharaj family of Kathak dancers, including his two uncles, Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj, and his father...
. It was later taken over by Sangeet Natak Akademi
Sangeet Natak Akademi
Sangeet Natak Akademi is the national level academy for performing arts set up by the Government of India.-History:...
and shifted to nearby Mandi House to become the National Institute of Kathak Dance
National Institute of Kathak Dance
National Institute of Kathak Dance, also known as Kathak Kendra, is the premier dance institution for the Indian classical dance form of Kathak, and a unit of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama, situated in New Delhi...
. Founder Director, Sumitra Charat Ram was later awarded the Padma Shri
Padma Shri
Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan...
by Government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
in 1966, while her daughter and present Director, Shobha Deepak Singh in 1999.
The Kendra has its own puppet troupe for many years, run by Rahi and Keshav Kothari, while the Puppet Section of the Kendra staged several important productions over the years, including Dhola Maru, Jhansi Ki Rani and Prithiviraj-Sanjukta, which even won the first at Puppet festival in Udaipur. This played an important role in establishing modern puppetry in Delhi. The Kendra also houses an art gallery at the ground level and its library has a large and rare collection of books, audio and visual recordings and extensive archives.
Courses
Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra has two wings, College of Music and Dance, and the Performing Arts Section.College of Music and Dance
- Hindustani classical VocalHindustani classical musicHindustani classical music is the Hindustani or North Indian style of Indian classical music found throughout the northern Indian subcontinent. The style is sometimes called North Indian Classical Music or Shāstriya Sangeet...
- Light Classical Vocal
- Hindustani classical instruments: TablaTablaThe tabla is a popular Indian percussion instrument used in Hindustani classical music and in popular and devotional music of the Indian subcontinent. The instrument consists of a pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres...
, SitarSitarThe 'Tablaman' is a plucked stringed instrument predominantly used in Hindustani classical music, where it has been ubiquitous since the Middle Ages...
and SarodSarodThe sarod is a stringed musical instrument, used mainly in Indian classical music. Along with the sitar, it is the most popular and prominent instrument in the classical music of Hindustan... - KathakKathakKathak is one of the eight forms of Indian classical dances, originated from Uttar Pradesh, India. This dance form traces its origins to the nomadic bards of ancient northern India, known as Kathaks, or storytellers...
- BharatanatyamBharatanatyamBharata Natyam or Chadhir Attam, is a classical dance form from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, practiced predominantly in modern times by women. The dance is usually accompanied by classical Carnatic music...
- OdissiOdissiOdissi, also spelled Orissi , is one of the eight classical dance forms of India. It originates from the state of Orissa, in eastern India. It is the oldest surviving dance form of India on the basis of archaeological evidences. The classic treatise of Indian dance, Natya Shastra, refers to it as...
- Chhau – Mayurbhanj
- Ballet / Contemporary Dance
Performing Arts Wing
The Performing Arts Section of the Kendra put up productions of dance dramas all over the country, including the annual "Ramlila" production.The Ramlila
The Annual "RamilaRamila
Ramila is a genus of moths of the Crambidae family.-Species:*Ramila acciusalis *Ramila angustifimbrialis *Ramila marginella Moore, [1868]*Ramila thectopetina -References:*...
" production, a dance drama based on life of Rama
Rama
Rama or full name Ramachandra is considered to be the seventh avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism, and a king of Ayodhya in ancient Indian...
, at the Kendra has become an institution by itself. The first production took place in 1957 by Shobha Deepak Singh, ideas from Nirmala Joshi, the first secretary of the Sangeet Natak Akademi. The script was written by Hindi poet, Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar'
Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar'
Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar was an Indian Hindi poet, essayist and academic, who is considered as one of the most important modern Hindi poets. He remerged as a poet of rebellion as a consequence of his nationalist poetry written in the days before Indian independence...
, while Tapas Sen, and Inder Razdan, designed the set and the lights. Narendra Sharma and Jayanti Sharma were principal actors and it was inaugurated by then PM Jawaharlal Nehru. It was one of the first dance dramas to be shot and relayed by Delhi Doordarshan
DoorDarshan
Doordarshan is an Indian public service broadcaster, a division of Prasar Bharati. It is one of the largest broadcasting organizations in India in terms of the infrastructure of studios and transmitters. Recently, it has also started Digital Terrestrial Transmitters. On September 15, 2009,...
. The Ramlia also weaves contemporary socio-political issues into the storyline of the epic of Ramayana
Ramayana
The Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic. It is ascribed to the Hindu sage Valmiki and forms an important part of the Hindu canon , considered to be itihāsa. The Ramayana is one of the two great epics of India and Nepal, the other being the Mahabharata...
.
Location
Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra is on the Copernicus Marg, a radial of the India GateIndia Gate
The India Gate is the national monument of India. Situated in the heart of New Delhi, India Gate was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. It was built in 1931...
, and in the Mandi House area, Delhi’s cultural hub. It stands next to its sister body the "Kamani Auditorium" and Delhi's premier auditorium opened in 1971. On the other side is Rabindra Bhawan, which houses a host of apex government bodies for arts and culture, including, the Sangeet Natak Akademi
Sangeet Natak Akademi
Sangeet Natak Akademi is the national level academy for performing arts set up by the Government of India.-History:...
, the Lalit Kala Akademi
Lalit Kala Akademi
The Lalit Kala Akademi or National Academy of Art is India's National Academy of Arts. It was an autonomous organization, established at New Delhi in 1954 by Government of India to promote and propagate understanding of Indian art, both within and outside the country...
, while Doordarshan
DoorDarshan
Doordarshan is an Indian public service broadcaster, a division of Prasar Bharati. It is one of the largest broadcasting organizations in India in terms of the infrastructure of studios and transmitters. Recently, it has also started Digital Terrestrial Transmitters. On September 15, 2009,...
Directorate is across the road. Also close by are Kathak Kendra, National School of Drama
National School of Drama
National School of Drama is a theatre training institute situated at New Delhi, India, established . It is an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It was set up in 1959 by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, and became an independent school in 1975...
, Triveni Kala Sangam and Little Theatre Group.
Its nearest Delhi Metro
Delhi Metro
Delhi Metro is a rapid transit system serving Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida and Ghaziabad in the National Capital Region of India. It is one of the largest metro networks in the world. The network consists of six lines with a total length of with 142 stations of which 35 are underground...
station is the Mandi House station
Mandi House (Delhi Metro)
The Mandi House Metro Station is located on the Blue Line of the Delhi Metro.It is planned to be expanded into an interchange station in order to reduce pressure on Rajiv Chowk station....
.
Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts
Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts (SRCPA) at Mandi House on Safdar Hasmi Marg, New DelhiNew Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
, close to the Kendra, it is run by the Indian National Theatre Trust established in 1958 the promotion of Art and Culture, with people like Sheila Bharat Ram, Kamla Devi Chattopadhyay and Nandita Kriplani associated with it. The Centre runs a certified Two Year Acting Course. The SRCPA Theatre Repertory Company started in 1980 and Puppet Theatre company, which over the years saw the rise of modern puppetry under puppeteer Dadi Padamjee
Dadi Pudumjee
Dadi Pudumjee is a leading puppeteer in India and the founder of The Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust. He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1992....
.
The present building of the Centre opened in the early ‘60’s. It was designed by Shiv Nath Prasad with help from theatre doyen, Ebrahim Alkazi
Ebrahim Alkazi
Ebrahim Alkazi is one of the most influential Indian theatre directors and Drama teachers in 20th century Indian theatre. He also remained the Director of National School of Drama, New Delhi He has also been a noted art connoisseur, collector and gallery owner, and found Art Heritage Gallery in...
, and was constructed under the overall supervision of industrialist Vinay Bharat Ram of Shriram Group (DCM Ltd.
Delhi Cloth Mills
Delhi Cloth Mills or DCM Ltd. is a textile company founded in Delhi, India.The company was founded as a DCM Textiles by Krishna Das Gurwala, in 1889 in Delhi, India...
), from the industrialist family of Lala Shri Ram. The Shankar Lal Murli Dhar Auditorium has a capacity of 556 people at two levels. In 1978, the basement at the Centre was converted into a theatre with flexible seating and performing areas.