Fine Arts

London Tamil Centre conducts Carnatic Music classes both vocal and instrumental. The latter includes Veena, Violin, Flute, Keyboard and Miruthangam.   In addition, Bharathanatyam dance classes based on Kalakshetra style are conducted.

All the pupils of the Fine Arts classes are assessed three times a year by written exam and practical test conduct by the class teacher. Those who pass the exam are promoted to the next level in the succeeding academic year commencing in September, while those who do not succeed remain in the same class until they acquire the necessary skills for that level.   While students are free to sit external examinations conducted by other organizations, their promotion to higher classes is entirely based on their performance at the School Examination.

New students joining in September are generally admitted to the Beginner's Class. In the case of those who have already have had some training elsewhere, they are subjected to a written as well as practical assessment test.  Then based on their performance they are admitted to appropriate classes.

Bharathanatyam (South Indian Classical Dance)

Bharathanatyam is regarded as one of the oldest among all the contemporary classical dance forms and is firmly rooted in Hinduism, more specifically, in Hindu myth and customs. This popular South Indian dance form is a 20th century resurrection of Cathir, the art of temple dancers. Cathir, in turn, is derived from ancient dance forms in India. Bharathanatyam is usually accompanied by the classical Carnatic music.

This is a popular subject especially among girls and we have 8 dedicated teachers, four of whom have qualified from the prestigious Kalashetra Institute in Chennai, India. This ancient fine art inspires so much enthusiasm that over 110 students are learning Bharatha-Natyam. We conduct classes from foundation up to senior level. Every year, significant number of students takes the exams conducted by the Imperial Society of Teachers in Dancing (ISTD) often achieving high grades.

Flute

This is one of the oldest wind instruments and is perhaps the most endearing of all instruments. One requires absolute sense of pitch, minute hearing and hard practice to master this instrument. There is a great demand among the students to learn this instrument. The students are taught according to the school syllabus and trained to sit for the exam conducted by the Academy of Fine Arts (London).

Keyboard

A Key Board, from our perspective, could be defined as any musical instrument played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include various types of organs as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments. Currently we have 3 talented teachers who conduct classes at different levels. Key Board is an extremely popular subject and there is a huge demand to enrol for the lessons. The syllabus covering this subject is geared towards the exams conducted by ABRSM.

Miruthangam

This is a unique instrument of complex construction and varied sound. Miruthangam is a South Indian percussion instrument which accompanies classical music. It arises from two Sanskrit words "mrith" and "anga" meaning clay and part respectively. Ironically, the modern day Miruthangam has little or no clay in it. The school has 3 experienced and hardworking teachers and approximately 70 students are currently learning this instrument. The senior students are being well trained by the teachers to provide percussion accompaniment at the school cultural programmes.

Veena

The Veena occupies a pole position in the history of Carnatic music. It dates back to the Vedic age more than 4000 years ago and its association with the Gods and Goddesses, saints and devotees gives this versatile instrument an added impetus - divine greatness. We have 2 enthusiastic teachers who run the lessons extremely successfully. The classes are conducted from the Grade 1 to Diploma in Teaching level. The students are being trained to perform in many Orchestras as well as to sit for the Academy of the Fine Arts (London) examination.

Violin

The Violin, the most commonly used member of the Western string family, is the highest-sounding instrument of that group. The violin is a bowed string instrument with four strings usually tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest and highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which also includes the viola and cello. About 80 students are attending the violin classes. We have 4 devoted Violin teachers who teach the students from the tender age of five to Diploma in Teaching level. The students are trained for the Academy of Fine Arts (London) examination.

Carnatic Vocal

The origin of Indian Carnatic Music is said to have its roots in the Vedas. It is believed that God himself is embodiment of sound. Music is, therefore, considered divine. Vocal recital is music performed by one or more singers, with or without non-vocal instrumental accompaniment, in which singing remains the main focus of the recital. This subject is the most popular fine art attended by more than 120 students. We have 7 talented teachers conducting classes from beginners to Diploma level. Most of the students obtain high grades in the examinations conducted by the Academy of Fine Arts(London).