Welcome To Kalakshetra
Kalakshetra, as the name suggests, is a centre for artistic endeavour. Founded in 1936 by the vibrant visionary Rukmini Devi Arundale, the Institution stands testimony to her dream of creating a space where the essence of Indian thought would find expression through artistic education. An institution she established with the vision “of imparting to the young the true spirit of Art, devoid of vulgarity and commercialism.” Spread over almost 100 acres by the seashore in Chennai, the Kalakshetra Foundation, as it is known today, is a vital centre for the study and performance of fine arts.

Kalakshetra is an institution not merely for the development of art. It exists in order that youth may be educated, not to become artists alone, but to have the right attitude to life, the right attitude to art, in order that they may be of great service to our country.

All applicants should read the following information on the applications and admissions process for the diploma course in Kalakshetra in music and dance, as well as other information available on this site about the College of Fine Arts and the Kalakshetra Foundation. The information provided will enable them to understand the range of resources available to every student.

Students between the ages of 17 and 25 who have passed the 12th standard are eligible for admission to the college. The prospectus and application form will be available on the web and in the College office in February of each year. The age restriction can be waived in the case of foreign applicants, after due consideration by a selection committee. The final decision will be taken by the Director.

Prospective students must submit their completed application with testimonials before 31st May. Applicants who are selected for the interview will receive an interview letter giving them the exact date and location of the interview. Interviews are held in the second week of June, a week before the college reopens. The interview is mandatory for all prospective students.

Foreign students / NRI’s may submit the completed application form with a self introduction stating why they wish to learn Bharatnatyam in Kalakshetra along with the DVD of their music / dance / art experience latest by 31st May after which the selection committee will view and convey the results in Mid June. Selected candidates will get the provisional admission letter by e-mail to enable them to get student visa.

The college opens in the second week of June and selected candidates must be prepared to join within a week. Students are selected on the basis of a practical aptitude test and an interview. The school seeks students who intend to become professional artists, and who will give the practice of their chosen art primary importance in their lives.

The first year is a probationary year for all students. Students must complete the entire course in four years in the case of Bharata Natyam, Music and Visual Art in order to earn the diploma. Students who fail in the main subject during second or third year will be advised to redo the year again to achieve perfection in the main subject. The decision of the promotion committee and the Director will be final in this regard. Students who fail in any other subject other than the main subject can take the same in the next year of their study as arrear exam paper.

A scholarship fund exists for students of Kalakshetra created from donations and endowments made to the institute. A limited number of scholarships are available to students whose parents or guardians are not in a position to pay their fees and who display a degree of talent and aptitude. The case of each applicant will be considered and decided by a scholarship committee. The scholarship covers the tuition fees alone, and for very deserving students, the hostel fees as well for an entire academic year. Scholarships are merit-based, and will only be made available to students with demonstrated financial need after their first year during which a student’s abilities can be judged.

Scholarship under North Eastern Development Programme

As an initiative under the North Eastern Development Programme (under the auspices of Dept. of Culture, Govt. of India), Kalakshetra offers scholarships for students hailing from the north eastern states of India, namely, Manipur, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Agartala to undergo the diploma courses in Bharatanatyam, Carnatic Music and visual arts.

Students hailing from these states are welcome to apply for scholarship for study at Kalakshetra and the Management will award to the deserving students after the admission process is over and according to the rules and regulations of the institute as followed from time to time.

Students from across India and abroad live in the hostel buildings amidst trees, spread over an area of five acres beside the sea. They are housed in dormitories/ rooms on a sharing basis.

Healthy vegetarian food, cooked in the South Indian style, is provided in the dining hall for the students at regular timings. Fresh fruits, raw vegetables, milk, and a variety of grains are part of the daily dStudents from across India and abroad live in the hostel buildings amidst trees, spread over an area of five acres beside the sea. They are housed in dormitories/ rooms on a sharing basis.

Healthy vegetarian food, cooked in the South Indian style, is provided in the dining hall for the students at regular timings. Fresh fruits, raw vegetables, milk, and a variety of grains are part of the daily diet.iet.

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