Kalanjali as an organization was brought into existence in the year 1998 by its founder, director and president Shri. Pradeep Krishnan, with the aim of embedding the roots of Indian classical dance and music in the youth of the nation. With the help and constant support from his wife, Smt. Sini Pradeep, he was able to lay the foundation for Kalanjali. Later, the parents of the students stepped forward and volunteered to become the members of the organization and together they organized Kalanjali’s very first formal event “Kalanjali Kalotsav” in 1998, at Regional Science Centre, Bhopal. The ideology behind the program was that festivity and celebration is the biggest motivation for the mind. The objective of the event was to spread a word amongst the people about the importance of celebrating art and the pleasure it brings to the mind, body and soul. It was also seen important to provide a right platform to showcase the talent and the knowledge of the art the students have gained throughout the years. Since then, Kalanjali Kalotsav has become an annual recital for the past two and a half decades, where the students are provided with the opportunity to deliver their best performances. Through this, the vision to equip the students with the right set of skills and knowledge in the field takes its hold stronger than before. Every year the festivity gets greater and greater with several musical, dance and theatrical performances. Kalanjali Kalotsav has been held at the best known cultural centers in Bhopal like Bharat Bhavan, Ravindra Bhavan and BHEL Cultural Hall. These places over the years have become a much sought after and awaited event by the lovers of classical dance and music from the city.

In the course of years, Kalanjali has held several programs one of which was the “Mridangam Mela”, where several talented and expert instrumentalists came all the way from Kerala to collaborate with Kalanjali. Around 40 students participated in the program which was held in several South Indian temples of Bhopal such as Ayyappa temple, Ram temple and many more. Since then, the organization has been working vigorously towards promoting the Indian classical art form and also providing the right guidance and platform for the students to showcase the art in its purest form. Kalanjali has been offering the option of formal education in music and dance through various universities. Various artists from all around the globe have collaborated and been a part of Kalanjali and its endeavors. Kalanjali is also closely associated with the Madhya Pradesh Department of Culture and have collaborated in the mission to keep the Indian culture and its art form alive for the future generations to carry on.

25 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

Kalanjali's mission has always been to not only mould exceptional dancers, but also exceptional people. Moving towards the completion of 25 years, Kalanjali now seeks to spread the classical art forms to the rural areas and avail the opportunity to learn about dance and music to the less fortunate students. Kalanjali aims to educate people about the professional value of the art form by promoting the talented students and provide them with all it is necessary to reach greater heights in their life.

One of the major goals of Kalanjali is to change the perception of people who think of classical dance and music as just a form of entertainment. Kalanjali desires to spread the message that dance and music is not just a shear entertainment but it is a lifestyle of discipline and dedication.

A Photo from the 5th Kalanjali Kalotsavam held in the year 2003, at Cultural Hall, BHEL, Bhopal.

A Photo from the 1st Kalanjali Kalotsavam held in the year 1998, at Regional Science Centre, Bhopal.