KALASADAN – A Class Apart
KALASADAN,established on May 1st 1954, is one of the pioneer and revered cultural institutions in Mumbai that has been serving the cause of performing arts for the past 54 years. Hundreds of students have had training in classical dance and music (Bharata Natyam & Carnatic music) under the tutelage and able guidance of founder late Guru Shri Mani and credited themselves admirably as performing artists and teachers all over India and abroad. Guru Mani born in Trichur shifted to Mumbai in the early 1940s in search of employment. While being employed as a manager in a famous book store he developed a keen interest for dance. With the support of a few close friends he formed the Chetana Cultural Centre and staged performances by various artiste’s in Mumbai. Simultaneously he learnt Bharatanatyam under the guidance of Smt Karunambal and her late husband and veteran Guru Kuppaih pillai of the Rajarajeswari Bharata Natya Kala Mandir, Mumbai. He with the help of his close Friend Late Sri A.M Ramanath founded Kalasadan. Kalasadan celebrated its Golden Jubilee in the year 2003 with a grand function at the Shanmukhananda Chandrashekharendra Saraswathi Auditorium wherein the Nine Gems in the form of nine legendary Gurus/artists were honoured for their contribution in the field of arts.In memory of late Shri Guru Mani the 5th of september is celebrated as Guru Abhivaadan Diwas. Following the death of Guru Mani in June 2006, the Institute is run by his family of artists - his sons Guru Natrajgopal and Ganesh, daughters Sharda Ganesen, Uma Narainswamy and Meera Haridas, sons in law Sri.I.S Narainswamy, N.R Ganesan, Haridas and grandchildren Sriram and Nandini. Most of them form a part of the kalasadan troupe and teach at the various centres of the institute. Training centres conducted by Kalasadan have benefited various cross sections of the society and their efforts to preserve and propagate India's traditional performing arts in their divine and dignified form have been able to create an interest and awareness of the Indian culture in the present generation. The institute has centres at Sion, Vile Parle, Andheri, Ghatkopar, Mulund, Vashi, Nerul and Titwala. Kalasadan is also engaged in setting up of a unique arts complex – ‘ Chinthamani Ashram of Fine Arts ’ at Titwala. To mark the 54th anniversary the students of Kalsadan staged a group presentation titled “ Bhaavaye Shri Gopaalam “, a sanskrit musical compositions of Maharaja Swati thirunal, at mumbai’s ISKCON auditorium during Janmashtami festival and later at the Shri Sharada Peeth Hall in Dwarka. “ It describes the Shri Krishna Leela in detail, right from the almighty’s birth to his becoming the ruler of Dwarka “, eulogises Guru Natrajgopal. While younger brother Ganesh chips in, “ About sixteen dancers, all students of the institute, participated in this colourful production, accompanied with mellifluous live music and spellblinding lighting “.
Contact : 24092166 or email at kalasadan@hotmail.com
