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Can you name 3 Indian classical musicians? Nothing? Even better, can you name 3 pop stars??? We’re sure you could easily name the later more easily than the former. But that is the exact issue we are dealing with. Today, our generations cannot name our artists, two generations from now, they cannot name the arts itself. While a bollywood/kollywood concert tickets are sold for over $100 per ticket, a traditional sangeet or kutcheri, even free is still is shrugged upon. Don’t worry, we wont let that happen, and in fact we will do better. You can help us too. All you have to do is support a child chase their dream and we will handle the rest of it. Our events are never ticketed and we only work with the donations we receive.
Several hundreds of children from various educational institutions and economic backgrounds are selected and trained over several months. 100 talented and deserving children will be selected to perform live in various cities for Ghantasala garu's compositions as a part of the birth centenary. Similarly classical dance and folk art forms are also being supported as a part of the historic celebration. At Kala Pradarshini, we provide holistic development and ensure the artistic ecosystem is empowered. Competitions in various academic institutions, outreach partnerships with like minded organizations to spread Indian classical music and dance to everyone in the society by making it accessible and removing boundaries is what we do. We are also very proud of our partnering organizations like Sargam, led by Dr. Sudha Raja, OnTheStreets of Chennai, VIT C, Shasun Jain College to name a few.
Thinking of it differently, Rs 1,000 gets you two tickets and popcorn at PVR, while it can support a deserving child for an entire month or it will atleast contribute to a portion of the minimum salary of a part time teacher. That is all we are asking for, the rest will be managed through the support of the grants and sponsorships being made.
About the NGO
Kala Pradarshini, Center for performing arts and cultural activities:
Since 1998, we have created an open opportunity for artists of all caste, communities, economic background, get a deserving and rewarding performance opportunity to perform. Promoting the deserving youngsters, while highlighting the luminaries in the field of Indian performing arts. Over the years, we have impacted over 10,000 artists, technical and support staff as well as the entire artists ecosystem through 3 of our annual curated events - the Art festival, Thyagaraja Aaradhana through Dance and Ghantasala samarpanam. Apart from this, micro festivals are also conducted to enable younger artists to take on a professional path of the Indian performing art. From amateurs to doyens in various performing art forms have been a part of these festivals.Kala Pradarshini, Center for performing arts and cultural activities:
Over the years, we have been ably supported by the Ministry of Culture, Govt of India, Sangeet Natak Akademy, Govt of India, Department of Art and Culture of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Apart from the Government bodies, dedicated sponsors have helped us stay afloat and continue to pursue our mission- preserving the intangible cultural heritage.
As a morally, fiscally and financially reputable organization, we are subject to financial audits and inspections by the various Government authorities. As a registered trust, all donations to Kala Pradarshini are eligible for tax deduction under 80G, making it beneficial for both the donors and us.
Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao:
Ghantasala or master garu as he was fondly known in the musical community back in the 50's and 60's was not just any musician par excellence, but also a freedom fighter and a philanthropist who touched the lives of millions of people as well as a person who worked tirelessly for the under privileged. His moto - no artist should go hungry and no deserving artist should be denied an opportunity to succeed. In his very short lifetime of merely 52 years, he sang over 25000 songs in over 6 Indian languages. A freedom fighter who was jailed for stimulating the masses with his patriotic songs, a UN medal awardee and also the first asthana Vidwan of the Thirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams. Over 20 statues of him have been established. The Government of Andhra Pradesh have named the Vijayawada Music College in his honor. He was also known for his patriotism much after the freedom struggle. The most famous was, even before he came back from his US tour, he had already auctioned all his gifts for the country. He was only person after Saint Annamacharya to be allowed to perform inside the sanctum sanctorum of Tirumala Venkateswara. We can go on and on, but you get the point. We do not need you to sing or dance, but atleast help us in this cause.All we need is 1000 people donating Rs 1000 which will empower more than 1000 artists through the collective power.
#Ghantasala100 | @Kala.Pradarshini | @Parvathi_ravighantasala
