|
Bharathi Kala Manram is one of the most respected Indian cultural organizations in Canada. Started in 1969, it has specialised
in preserving and promoting the Indian culture and traditions, with particular emphasis on South Indian traditions, among
the Indo-Canadians and other communities intrested in the traditions.
Practically every Carnatic music concert in Toronto by
the visiting artists over the past 30 years, has been organised by Manram. Manram has assisted other centers like Ottawa,
Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton to hold these concerts in their organizations.
In the early days, Manram started and maintained
language classes in Tamil and Telugu and launched the ethnic language classes with the School Boards.
It has the prestige of being the first Organization to start the traditional Thyagaraja Music Festival in cooperation
with York University back in 1973. Now the Festival is being celebrated in more than 20 cities in North America along the
format devloped by Manram.
Manram has initiated a scholarship scheme - Thyagaraja Music Scholarships -at York University,
whereby 2 annual scholarships of $750 each,to York University students of Indian Music. Manram encourages the learning of
carnatic music and dance by collabrating with the teachers and providing platforms for the students to perform in various
Manram Events.
Manram was the first to bring Tamil movies from India,in an organized way, circulated in North America
to satisfy the needs of the movie fans. Now, even in the days of daily shows of Tamil movies in regular theatres, the members
get exclusive showings of first run Tamil movies throughout the year.
Manram functions as the meeting and 'networking'
forum for the newcomers to settle down smoothly without losing touch with the 'home' cutural traditions. It is the leading
Indian Cultural organization in Canada with over 30 years of excellent record of community service.
|
