Indian Cultural Centre

            The Indian Cultural Centre in Colombo was formally inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee on July 30, 1998, with the aim of promoting Indo-Sri Lanka relations through enhanced cultural cooperation. Though relatively young, the Centre has firmly established itself on the Sri Lankan cultural scene and earned a reputation of excellence. There is widespread appreciation of the Centre's activities and its role in promoting close cultural interaction between Indian and Sri Lankan artistes as well as spreading awareness about India and Indian culture in Sri Lanka.

          The Centre offers classes in Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Hindustani & Carnatic vocal music, Violin, Sitar, Tabla, Hindi and Yoga. For conducting these classes, the Centre draws on a talented and committed group of Sri Lankan teachers. Over time, the Centre has gained tremendous popularity with nearly 1500 students enrolled in the various classes conducted at the Centre since 1998. A nominal fee is charged for the classes.

            The Centre is also active in organizing performances by Indian and Sri Lankan artistes (dance performances, vocal and instrumental music recitals), lectures, lectures on various social, cultural topics, lecture-demonstrations, workshops, slide shows, exhibitions etc. Over the last few years the Centre has organized performances in Sri Lanka by several well known artistes from India and Sri Lanka, including Smt. Sonal Mansingh, renowned Odissi dance exponent; Kalakshetra dance drama troupe from Chennai; reputed Bharatanatyam dancer Alarmel Valli; Kathakali troupe from Kerala Kalamandalam; renowned vocalist, Smt. Shubha Mudgal and her troupe; Kathak exponents Geetanjali Lal and Ranjana Gauhar, and the Bollywood dance ensemble “Rangpuhar”.

            Since Indian troupes sponsored by ICCR visit Sri Lanka only 4 to 5 times a year, the Centre also draws on the large reservoir of talented and accomplished Sri Lankan artistes who have received their formal training in dance, music and various art forms in India. The Centre invites them as well as other renowned Sri Lankan artistes to give performances at the Centre. Sri Lankan musicians Dr. Dayaratna Ranatunga & Prof. Amara Ranatunga, Mr. Pradeep Ratnayake, Mr. Piyasara Shilpadhipathi, Mr. Ravibandhu Vidyapathi, Pt. W.D. Amardeva and dancer Ms. Upeka Chitrasena of Chitrasena Dance Company have also performed at ICC.

            The Indian Council for Cultural Relations has also sponsored the visit of renowned Sri Lankan cultural troupes and scholars to India on a number of occasions in the last few years.

            The Centre also screens Indian films, television serials and documentaries. There are about 3-4 screenings every month. Noted Sri Lankan and visiting Indian scholars, academicians and cultural personalities are also invited to lecture at the Centre.

            The Centre brings out a monthly newsletter that highlights the Centre's forthcoming events, and gives an update of the programmes held, new library accessions and other important announcements.

            The Centre also maintains a lending library and reading room with a sizeable collection (over 3000) of books, besides newspapers, periodicals, CD/DVDs. The library is open to the public Mondays to Saturdays, except Wednesdays. The collection comprises books are on various India-related subjects such as history, politics, culture, sports, Hindi Books, etc., besides books by modern Indian writers in English. The library membership is open to adult residents and college students aged 18 and above. The most popular books are works of ‘fiction’ and books by modern Indian authors in English, such as Vikram Seth, Anita Desai, Amitav Ghosh, Shashi Tharoor, etc. The reading room, which is open to the public Monday to Saturday has Indian and Sri Lankan newspapers (Sinhala, Tamil and English) and Indian periodicals, magazines and journals in Indian Languages as well as English.

             A number of academics, artistes, students, members of various cultural societies and bodies, members of parliament and other people in public life, members of the general public interested in Indian art and culture are members of the Centre. The membership includes a number of eminent citizens.

            The Cultural Centre has been successful in projecting India's rich and diverse cultural heritage. Performances and events at the Centre are free of charge and open to the public.