KALÃSADAN, one of the pioneer cultural institutions in Mumbai, has been serving the cause of performing arts since the 1950s. Hundreds of students have had training in classical dance and music, especially Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music, under the guidance of its founder director Guru Shri Mani and have gone on to become performing artists and teachers all over India and abroad. 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.
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Kalăsadan family
Guru Mani, born in Trichur, moved to Mumbai in the early 1940s in search of employment. While being employed as a manager in a book store developed a taste for dance. Along with a few friends he formed the CHETANA CULTURAL CENTRE and organised performances by various artists 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. With the help of his close friend the late Sri A.M Ramanath he founded Kalasadan on 1 May 1954. Following the death of Guru Mani in June 2006 the Institute is run by 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 orchestra and teach at the various centres of the institute.
Presentations
Performances by the institute include solo, group, and dance drama presentations. Cultural festivals and conferences on a national scale have been arranged. 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 5 September is celebrated as Guru Abhivaadan Diwas. On 5 September 2006 it was celebrated with all grandeur at the Ravindra Natyamandir Auditorium, Mumbai wherein a colourful dance ballet Krishna Leela was presented by 19 students of Kalasadan.
Chintamani Ashram
Kalasadan is currently engaged in setting up of a unique arts complex Chintamani Ashram Of Fine Arts at Titwala