Kalaikoodam (Komala Varadan Institute of Art) was founded by Komala Varadan in Delhi in 1983. It is a Registered Society , and a Voluntary Organisation.
The Institute aims at the promotion of Arts, Literature and Culture.
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Dr. Narayana Menon inaugrating kalaikoodam in 1983. |
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Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan lightingthe lamp for the inaugration. Mr. Armoogam Parsuramen of UNESCO and Komala Varadan look on. |
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The Silver Jubilee of Kalaikoodam was inaugurated by Dr.Kapila Vatsyayan, an eminent scholar and an authority on arts on the 28th of July, 2008, in Delhi. Mr. Armoogam Parsuramen of UNESCO, Paris was the Guest of Honour. Both addressed the audience. Komala Varadan and students presented some glimpses of items specially choreographed for Kalaikoodam in the past. |
A Unique feature of the Institute is that it includes in its scope all performing arts, the visual arts, literature and culture. It has a broad based approach to project the integrated culture of India by taking up themes of relevance without any regional, linguistic or other consideration. The primary aim is to promote research, documentation and new developments in the fields of arts, literature and culture, particularly with reference to India's ancient heritage, its evolution through the ages and its relevance to modern arts, aesthetics, literature, culture and social perception, thus bringing about better understanding and appreciation between the people of different regions of India. |
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Kalaikoodam Centre |
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Mr. P.K Dave L.G. Inagurating the National Seminar - Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan and Komala Varadan. |
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Arising out of the firm conviction that there is an underlying unity in the cultural mosaic of India, Kalaikoodam organised a National Seminar in November, 1995 on 'Culture - the Undercurrent'. Eminent scholars in the fields of education, culture, literature, media etc. participated and presented papers. The papers were later published in a book form, under the title 'India - a Cultural Perspective', it was released by Dr. Karan Singh in 1999 in Delhi. The book which bagged excellent reviews has been acquired by libraries all over the country and abroad. |
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A follow up National Seminar was held in 1997 on 'The Traditional Influences on Indian Society'. Eminent scholars and experts from different parts of the country participated.
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Group photo of Scholars who participated in the National Serminar on 'Culture-the Undercurrent". |
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A number of stimulating lectures and discussions were arranged on a variety of literary topics. Some of these were Sanskrit Drama in Ancient India, the place of Dance in Silappathikaram (Tamil epic),
Modern Oriya literature and
Modern Kannada literature.
Kalaikoodam arranged two rare programmes for the lovers of art in Delhi. One was a Workshop on the Mysore School of Bharata Natyam conducted by veteran danseuse Dr. Smt. K. Venkatalakshamma jointly Prof. Dr. Sathyanarayana. The other was a Lecture on Traditional Performing Arts of Assam with special reference to the New Vaishnava traditions followed by a performance by the Natun Kamalabari Satra.
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Celebrating of Ramayana in Dance - Ankia Bhaona. |
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Celebrating of Ramayana in Dance - Kathakali . |
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There are many versions of Ramayana in dance form in different regions of India. To enable a comparative study a Three Day Celebration of Ramayana in Dance was organised in April 1997. Three versions namely, Kathakali, from Kerala, Ankia Bhaona from Assam and Bharata Natyam were presented.
In order to encourage young talent Kalaikoodam conducted an Open Dance Competition and an Open Music Competition. |
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Kalaikoodam has produced and presented new choreographiccompositions in dance.
Shri Ram Charit Manas of Goswami Tulsidas choreographed by
Komala Varadan as a full-fledged solo Bharata Natyam recital was presented all over the country with great success. Door Darshan produced this as a three part serial and telecast it in the National Channel.
Kalaikoodam produced a multimedia programme titled
'Prakritim Vande-Salutation to Nature'. This was telecast by Doordarshan in prime time on the National network as a two part serial on World Environment Day, 1994. The telecast was repeated on the International channel. This production won a certificate of Special Merit in the International Film Festival on Nature organised by WWF in 1994. A clipping of this was shown on American TV in the News bulletin.
Kalaikoodam produced a CD of
'PRAKRITIM VANDE' which was released at a gliltering function in New Delhi in July 2005 by Mr. S. Jaipal Reddy, Minister of Culture, Government of India and Kathak Maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj received the first CD.
Kalaikoodam has been periodically organising dance and music programmes by reputed artists. The programmes have attracted a whole cross section of the society including foreigners living in Delhi. Some of the renowned artists who were featured include Carvatic Vocalist T. V. Sankaranarayanan, Flutists Dr. N. Ramani and Hari Mohan Srivastava and Dancers Pt. Durga Lal and Vyjayanti Kashi.
Kalaikoodam students present dance programmes by themselves as well as alongwith Komala Varadan. The latest such programme titled 'Jayatu Jayatu Krishno' devoted to Lord Krishna was presented in March 2006.
In July 2007, Komala Varadan choreographed and presented an entire programme titled “Varsha” devoted to “Rain”. She chose verses in several languagesdepicting rain. The programme also contained an English verse of a farmer lamenting on the drought conditions.
Kalaikoodam is presently functioning from its own premises. Classes in Bharatanatyam, Hindustani and Carnatic Vocal music and Yoga are being conducted apart from other Cultural events, talks and discussions are also being organised on a variety of subjects.
