The Nagapattinam district administration will set up a dedicated performing arts academy for government school students to expand access to fine arts education and strengthen the district’s presence in state-level cultural competitions.
The Nagai Performing Arts Academy, which will be inaugurated by School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi on January 29, will function from a leased and converted building of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department near Kumaran Koil bus stand. District Collector P. Akash is spearheading the project through the District Education Empowerment Program (DEEP), in collaboration with the School Education Department, and will offer structured training in dance, music, theater and traditional instruments targeting students from rural and marginalized backgrounds.
“Nagapattinam is a backward district when it comes to exposure to performing arts. Our intention is to ensure that arts education reaches village students and that more children from government schools can compete – and win – at the state level,” Aathi Uthaya Kumar, district coordinator, DEEP, told The Hindu.
Sources said the initiative should be closely linked with the annual Kalai Thiruvizha organized by the School Education Department, where children from aided and private schools traditionally have an advantage with access to training facilities.
Each art form will be taught as a six-month structured course with basic, intermediate and advanced levels. Classes will initially take place on weekends and expand to weekdays, with morning and evening classes designed around school hours.
Rare art forms
Apart from traditional disciplines like Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music, the academy will focus on preserving rare and disappearing art forms including Udukkai, Pambai, Kona Kombu, Villupattu and Thol Pavai Koothu. Experts are interviewed, including formally trained and award-winning self-taught artists.
The initiative builds on DEEP’s earlier success with ‘Ponni Chithira Kadal’, a fine arts academy for painting and drawing that has been running for a year in Nagapattinam city, where five students won state awards last year.
“Art helps children manage stress, develop discipline and find a voice. This academy is an attempt to take performing arts out of school and into the public sphere,” said Mr. Uthaya Kumar.
The academy, funded by CSR contributions, will be supervised by a district administration headed by the Collector. Monthly master classes by senior artistes and special holiday workshops for instruments like Thavil and Nadaswaram are planned.
Classes are expected to start in February, with state school students paying only minimal tuition. Rural students will be encouraged to enroll. The administration is exploring ways to open the courses to the general public.
Published – 24 Jan 2026 20:15 IST
