The CPA - College of Esthetics offers classes on Saturdays and Sundays for children between the ages of 5-25.

The classes consist of:
• Art classes from 9:15 am -10:30 am

• Veena classes (traditional instrument) from 10:00 am-11:00 am

• Traditional dance classes from 10:30 am-11:30 am

• Traditional singing classes from 10:00 am-11:00 am

• Other instrument classes such as drums, guitar, keyboard, violin, flute from 12:00 pm onwards


The art class

The art class is divided into two separate classes: Into a course for beginners from the age of 5-10 and into an advanced course from the age of 11-16.
It is essential for the children to learn how to draw contours and proportions appropriately and how to combine different colours. On top of that, the children should understand that art is a universal language connecting people from all over the world.


Traditional dance, singing and the traditional instrument

Girls from the age of 5-25 take part in the school’s dancing lessons. It is important for them to move to the given speed and rhythm.
Also, it is essential for the girls to know that apart from Western dances, traditional Tamil dances are a part of their culture as well. This stream of thought is also represented in the singing and traditional instrument classes where the students only chant and sing in Tamil.


Furthermore, pupils are able to study at the Fine Arts College. After studying there for 2 years, the students can to do a BA or MA in a Fine Arts subject.
Normally, the pupils pay a small amount to take part in the classes. Orphans or children from a disadvantaged social background can attend the classes for free.




Information about the organisation:


Founding of the Centre For Performing Arts

In 1965 Father N.M.P Saveri founded the Centre For Performing Arts under the Tamil name “Thirumarai Kalamanram” in Jaffna.
It was the organisation’s aim to make society more aware of social issues. In order to put this vision into practice, young people from villages as well as from cities got together to form an artist society.
Within this society projects were launched to combat prejudices against faith, caste and gender. On top of that, the organisation found it essential to inspire young people to use their individual talents to the benefit of society.

In the 1980ies many communities were affected severely by the civil war in the north east of the country.
In order to contribute to a peace building process, the CPA set up new programmes and branches in this war affected region.
At this time the organisation received its international name Centre For Performing Arts to underline their status of being a culturally diverse organisation.

In 1992 the organisation opened its Coordinating Office in Colombo in order to coordinate and to expand their programmes to the Southern regions of the country. As a result, the CPA received their Sinhalese name Ranga Kala Kendraya.
It was the Coordinating Office’s task to coordinate CPA programmes in Sri Lanka as well as overseas. International programmes were launched in Asia, Europe, North Amerika and in Australia. Additionally, it was responsible for the work with public relations, fund raising, programme planning and general coordination.

In 2002 the Centre For Performing Arts was officially recognised by the Sri Lankan ministry of social services as a Non Governmental Organisation.
In 2015 the Coordinating Office in Colombo was closed due to lack of fundraising and was reopened in Jaffna.