Celebrating art through performances, workshops, and our annual Kala Sampada festival
The sacred Vidyarambam puja ceremonially initiated the Group I junior students — the youngest entrants — dressed in traditional attire. Students gathered in a serene atmosphere to seek blessings at the threshold of their artistic journey, and were warmly welcomed and introduced to the institution's esteemed faculty.
A thoughtfully curated Cotton Handloom Saree Exhibition where pure cotton sarees from across India rested in quiet display, each carrying the rhythm of its region, climate, and craft lineage. Graced by Visalakshi Ramaswamy, founder of M.Rm.Rm Cultural Foundation, whose reflections illuminated traditions such as the Kandanghi saree of Karaikudi.
Nine days of devotion, creativity, and vibrant cultural participation. A beautifully arranged Golu Exhibition, Mehendi art, Thoranam making, Bookmark crafting, Pot painting, and lively Garba and Dandiya dances brought together students across departments. The celebrations also marked the inauguration of KUDIL, the institution's new classroom-auditorium space, on 24 September 2025.
Commencing on 17 November 2025, this series featured final-year students of the Music Department presenting solo concerts on the four auspicious Mondays of the Karthigai month. The series marks an important milestone: students advance from group rendition practice to a fearless classroom concert solo, followed by a microphone-assisted Karthigai solo presentation.
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A series of thirteen Bhajan Walks — including the auspicious Vaikunta Ekadasi Bhajan — held in the quiet early morning hours. Students and faculty walked from the institution along Srinivasan Street to the Kalyana Venkatesa Perumal Temple and back, singing soulful hymns that blended music, devotion, and the tranquil cadence of Margazhi.
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RNF participated in the Margazhi Utsav organised by DAV Kala Kendram at DAV Boys' Senior Secondary School, Mogappair. Students from the Vocal, Bharatnatyam, and Flute Departments presented vibrant performances themed on Krishna Bhakti, enriching the city's celebrated Margazhi Festival.
A special session held at Chendur Bhavan, featuring Tarun Ganesh, a young Carnatic vocalist from the United States, trained under eminent gurus including Sri Vijaya Hariharan and Smt. Maithili Chandrasekaran. Presented in an intimate setting, the recital offered students a rare opportunity to experience a live visiting-artist performance and engage closely with the nuances of concert tradition.
A thoughtfully curated cultural journey for senior students through the sacred landscapes of Chidambaram, Thiruvarur, Thiruvaiyaru, Gangai Konda Chozhapuram, and Thanjavur. Students sang, danced, and expressed themselves amid historic sanctuaries — absorbing the timeless bond between temple traditions and classical arts.
A vibrant celebration that transformed the campus into a living cultural hub. Activities included a Kolam Competition, a Devarattam Folk Dance Workshop (the 'Dance of the Kings'), pottery making, flower stringing, thoranam crafting, Pallankuzhi, bullock cart rides, and a mini-Ferris wheel. The celebration culminated with lively Kummi and Devarattam performances.
A sacred musical gathering in reverent homage to the legendary composer-saint Tyagaraja. Students from the Vocal and Instrumental Departments came together in harmonious unity to render the five immortal Pancharatna Keerthanais, creating an atmosphere of deep devotion where music blossomed as a heartfelt offering.
RNF marked the 171st birth anniversary of U. V. Swaminatha Iyer with the release of Aarohanam of a Bhavya Jeevan by Dr V. R. Devika at Kalakshetra Foundation — a reverential commemoration of the legendary Tamil scholar and literary custodian.
Students of the Art stream visited Beyond Light & Shadow, an exhibition by Gita Hudson and Thejomaye Menon, at the Lalit Kala Akademi Regional Centre, Chennai. Within the still air of the gallery, colour rested and form waited — a reminder that art does not announce itself, it is received. The hands learned before they moved.
An evening celebrating the artistic journey of young performers in Carnatic Music and Bharatnatyam. Graced by Smt. S. Janaki, senior arts commentator and former editor. Featured a Carnatic vocal recital by Kum. Shreya Ravikumar and a Bharatnatyam performance by Kum. R.K Raghaviraj, reflecting the spirit of disciplined training and the enduring beauty of India's classical traditions.
The 13th Convocation Ceremony of Rukmini Devi Natya Kshetra Foundation, marking the completion of a seven-year journey in Bharatanatyam by the graduating students. Held at Rukmini Arangam, Kalakshetra, certificates were conferred as quiet affirmations of discipline and surrender. The evening concluded with the Final Year Bharatanatyam Kutcheri — where each movement carried the weight of years.
A joyful confluence of dance and music presented by students of the second to fourth years, framed by the inspiring environs of Kalakshetra Foundation. With parents joining as witnesses, the celebration resonated with warmth, encouragement, and artistic camaraderie — a living tapestry of rhythm and melody.
A visual meditation on place and memory, featuring eighteen young artists and over fifty works. The exhibition explored Important Places in and around Mogappair — across paper and canvas, observation met imagination, transforming familiar landscapes into intimate reflections shaped by colour, line, and lived experience.
The Music Department's presentation at the 22nd edition of Kala Sampada — an elegant weaving of compositions across five languages: Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Marathi. The timeless works of saint-composers such as Purandara Dasa, Bhadrachala Ramadasa, Tukaram, and Papanasam Sivan came alive, affirming music's power to transcend language and reach the universal.
When darkness and suffering overwhelmed the world due to the torment of asuras, Bhooma Devi sought help from Lord Brahma, who consulted Lord Vishnu. Through a sacred yagam performed by devas and sages, the divine maiden Devi Kanyakumari emerged to destroy evil. Unaware of her destiny, she later developed deep devotion and love for Lord Shiva after encountering his lingam. Guided by sage Narada, she realized her divine purpose and ultimately defeated Bhanasuran, granting him moksha by transforming him into Banatheertham, thereby restoring peace and righteousness to the world.