The Nagapattinam district administration will set up a dedicated performing arts academy for government school students, aimed at widening access to fine arts education and strengthening the district’s presence in the State-level cultural competitions.
The Nagai Performing Arts Academy, to be inaugurated on January 29 by Minister for School Education Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, will function from a rented and remodelled Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department building near the Kumaran Koil bus stop. District Collector P. Akash is spearheading the project through the District Education Empowerment Programme (DEEP), in collaboration with the School Education Department, and will offer structured training in dance, music, theatre, and traditional instruments, with a focus on students from rural and marginalised backgrounds.
“Nagapattinam is a backward district in terms of exposure to performing arts. Our intention is to ensure that arts education reaches village-level students and that more children from government schools are able to compete — and win — at the State level,” said Aathi Uthaya Kumar, DEEP District Coordinator, speaking to The Hindu.
Sources said the initiative was closely to be aligned with the annual Kalai Thiruvizha conducted by the School Education Department where children from aided and private schools traditionally enjoy an advantage due to access to training facilities.
Each art form will be taught as a six-month structured course, with basic, intermediate, and advanced levels. The classes will be conducted initially on weekends and expand to weekday, with morning and evening slots designed around school hours.
Rare art forms
Beyond mainstream disciplines such as Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music, the academy will focus on preserving rare and vanishing art forms, including Udukkai, Pambai, Kona Kombu, Villupattu, and Thol Pavai Koothu. Experts are being interviewed, including formally trained artistes and self-taught practitioners with recognised awards.
The initiative builds on DEEP’s earlier success with “Ponni Chithira Kadal”, a fine arts academy for painting and drawing that has been operating for a year in Nagapattinam town, where five students secured State-level prizes last year.
“Arts help children handle stress, develop discipline, and find a voice. This academy is an attempt to take performing arts beyond the school and into the public sphere,” Mr. Uthaya Kumar said.
The academy, funded through CSR contributions, will be overseen by the district administration, with the Collector as chairperson. Monthly masterclasses by senior artistes and special holiday workshops for instruments such as Thavil and Nadaswaram are planned.
Classes are expected to commence in February, with government schoolchildren paying only a minimal fee. Rural students will be encouraged to enrol. The administration is exploring ways to throw open the classes for the general public.
Published – January 24, 2026 08:15 pm IST
