Peninsula

Doha, Dec 24: Kerala’s leading cultural and music institute, Fr Abel’s Cochin Kalabhavan, is to set up an academy for teaching Indian music and performing arts in Doha in association with Solar Qatar and Golden Group.

Film director, script writer and actor Ansar Kalabhavan and Soby George, programme director of Cochin Kalabhavan Music and Dance Institute, this week signed an agreement with their local sponsors Solar Qatar at the Doha Sheraton to set up the ambitious cultural and art institute in Doha next year.

K M D Tahir and K V Ayoob, managing directors of Solar Qatar and Golden Group, signed the agreement on behalf of promoters.

Children from the age of four will be given admission at the proposed institute which will impart professional training in Carnatic, Hindustani music and Pop music, acting, mimicry, cinematic dance, photography, painting and instrumental music.

Leading artistes and teachers from southern India will conduct classes for students between 9am and 8pm seven days a week.

Cochin Kalabhavan was established in Ernakulam by Fr Abel, a lyricist and visionary, 35 years ago in a humble way and this troupe had conducted stage shows in more than 30 countries, including Qatar.

Cochin Kalabhavan already runs an institute in the UAE and has plans to set up similar academies in other Gulf countries.