Kalakshetra literally means a holy place of the arts (Kala: Arts, Kshetra: Field or Holy place). Deriving inspiration from this ideal, Kalakshetra was established in 1936 by Rukmini Devi, "with the sole purpose of resuscitating in modern India recognition of the priceless artistic traditions of our country and of imparting to the young the true spirit of Art, devoid of vulgarity and commercialism."
Rukmini Devi was instrumental in bringing the Montessori movement to India when she and her husband
Dr. G.S. Arundale (President of the Theosophical Society, Adayar, at that time) invited Dr. Montessori to Chennai in 1939. This led to Dr. Montessori's ten-year stay in India, during which time she conducted sixteen courses.
Located in a seaside setting in southern Chennai, Kalakshetra, with its emphasis on self-awareness and quest for perfection in artistic expression, complements perfectly the theme of Sādhanā. Its 100-acre campus includes a music and dance institute, two high schools, student hostels, many thatched classrooms and public performing spaces, both indoor and outdoor.
Seating options for the Congress:
The Kalakshetra campus includes a large formal auditorium and an informal theatre.
The plenary sessions at the Congress will be held in the auditorium and will be screened simultaneously in the theatre. The delegates have the option of choosing to be seated in the auditorium or the theatre. The delegate fee will vary accordingly (details of costs are included in the registration section of the website). Food and other facilities at the venue will be common to all delegates, and does not depend on the seating option.
Breakout sessions at the Congress:
Breakout sessions are scheduled during the Congress in the afternoons. These sessions are intended to demonstrate and offer experiential learning opportunities for the delegates around the theme of Sādhanā and will bring the whole community together in smaller groups. They will be organised in various classrooms or under the shade of trees.
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