This premier institution Kalai Kaviri College of Fine Arts, belonging to the Catholic Diocese of Tiruchirappalli, Tamilnadu, India, hails from her parent institution Kalai Kaviri, and is the culmination of the vision and dream of her Founder Rev.Msg.S.M.George, a visionary and pioneer in promoting fine arts, realizing academic excellence for Indian traditionalGurukula art forms to the level of Ph.D. This is a matchless march in the Indian cultural promotion. Kalai Kaviri’s cultural commitment and exemplary standard in training gained from the Part-Time courses of Dance (Bharathanatyam) and Music offered for more than 14 years and from the Full-Time Diploma and Post-Diploma courses affiliated to the Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, earned her the status of Kalai Kaviri College of Fine Arts in 1996. Upholding the cultural cause, with the able guidance of Rev.Fr. Anthuvan, the Secretary & Director, with the academic and professional expertise of Rev. Dr. Margaret Bastine, the Principal coupled with the talents and hard work of the faculty and the administrative staff as well as the feats of the students, the college renders laudable service.Nationally accredited with ‘A’ Grade by NAAC, the College is dedicated, to promote, popularize and perpetuate the Indian traditional Gurukula art forms of Bharathanatyam and South Indian Classical Music in their pristine purity ; To bring these prestigious art forms of the rich and the elite, to the access of the less-privileged and the backward communities ; To utilize the communicative potential of Dance and Music to convey human and social development values to elevate the attitudes of the people through research-oriented performances. Kalai Kaviri College of Fine Arts affiliated to the Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, approved by the Government of Tamilnadu State is the First College of Fine Arts in the southern region of the country. The Government of Tamilnadu upgraded it as a Government Aided College relaxing a Government policy of 23 years and acclaimed it as “the Best Cultural Institution in Tamilnadu for the year 2000”. The College offers Bachelor’s Degree, Integrated Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree Courses in Bharathanatyam (Dance) and South Indian Classical Music (Vocal and Instrumental). and Ph.D. Programmes in Dance and Music. The first scholar in Dance has been awarded Ph.D. Degree while 4 (Four) scholars in Dance and 10 (Ten) scholars in Music are pursuing their research. So far, 10 students have completed M.Phil. in Music and 5 students are currently undergoing. Our students come from all over Tamil Nadu, from the States of Puducherry, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Andaman Islands, and from countries like Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Mauritius. There are Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, priests, religious nuns, etc. among the students. We give priority to the students coming from the socially, economically backward communities and from the rural background. The College serves the younger generation with a mission spirit giving the talented and deserving students among these categories, free board and lodging and make concession in hostel fees to many students. The physically handicapped students undergoing Degree courses in these Fine arts, are supported financially by the college.
‘Arangetrams’ are a specialty made part of the curriculum for our students. Every student is given the opportunity to perform ‘Arangetram’ which is the qualifying stage performance of a student completing her/his degree course, in which they prove their talents in what they have learnt in their degree courses. So far, 812 art-lovers have come out of the portals of Kalai Kaviri, with Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Bharathanatyam (Dance) and South Indian Classical Music (Vocal and Instrumental).
163 students have qualified themselves with University Diplomas and Post Graduate Diplomas (1993-2001) in Bharathanatyam (Dance) and South Indian Classical Music (Vocal and Instrumental). An Audio Recording Studio with Digital Recording facility and a Video Studio with Canopus DV Storm XA’ Plus Digital Video Editing facility, compliment curricular activities and help to achieve a blend of Art and Technology in the promotion of Fine Arts. Students perform for video-lessons for the Off-campus Degree Programme. They also gain experience in operating Audio / Video equipments for Dance & Music Programmes. They are exposed to Audio / Video recording and editing process in Dance & Music. Exploiting the innovative nature of our traditional arts of dance and music, Kalai Kaviri develops her expertise in Research with creative skill and produces Audio and Video presentations of Dance and Music. The college has an Archive with records of 33 years of Kalai Kaviri’s activities, Bharathanatyam Jewellery, Musical Instruments, etc. Musical Instruments Bank, Book Bank, Costumes & Jewellery Bank and Question Bank are maintained for the benefit of the students. Intercollegiate and Interschool Cultural Competitions and Festivals are conducted in Dance and Music to encourage local talents. In order to enrich the knowledge and talents of the students, various Workshops on Dance, Music, Yoga, Dance therapy; Concerts, Lecture-demonstrations by professionals; Special coaching by Visiting Faculty, are conducted in Dance and Music. Students are given opportunities for Music Composing and Dance Choreography. Exceptionally talented students become the main Dancers & Musicians of the Troupes of the college and also become Teachers for the Part-Time evening courses for Dance and Music. Our students bring credit to the college competing and winning in various competitions. Our graduated students are now teaching these classical arts in schools, colleges or running their own schools in different parts of Tamilnadu, different states of India and even abroad. The psychological, moral and social up-lift given to them is for the rest of their lives. Kalai Kaviri College of Fine Arts, thus empowers the womenfolk to create a solid future for themselves challenging the obstacles in the society.
