Established in 1950
Triveni Kala Sangam
205, Tansen Marg, Mandi House,
New Delhi, 110001
Founded by the contemporary dancer Mrs. Sundari K. Shridharani, Triveni Kala Sangam remains one of India’s most cherished cultural landmarks. Its philosophy reflects the meaning of its name: a confluence of artistic disciplines.
Mrs. Shridharani envisioned a space where the three principal streams of art, dance, music, and visual arts, could coexist and enrich one another under a single roof. At a time when many institutions focused on individual disciplines, Triveni emerged as a multidisciplinary centre fostering dialogue between the performing and visual arts.
Central to this vision was the belief that art should remain accessible to everyone. Triveni was founded as a space where the common person, even amidst the demands of everyday life, could encounter and engage with art. This commitment to accessibility continues to shape the institution today and is reflected in its practice of keeping most events and exhibitions free and open to the public, ensuring that art remains an integral part of the city's cultural life.
Our Vision
To foster an inclusive and interdisciplinary cultural space where the visual and performing arts flourish through education, practice, and public engagement, while making art accessible and meaningful to people from all sections of society.
Our Mission
- To promote excellence in the visual and performing arts through quality education and cultural programming.
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To provide accessible platforms for artists, students, and audiences to learn, create, and engage with diverse artistic practices.
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To encourage dialogue and collaboration across artistic disciplines through exhibitions, performances, workshops, and festivals.
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To preserve and strengthen India’s artistic and cultural heritage while supporting contemporary creative expression.
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To foster an environment of openness, inclusivity, and cultural exchange within the arts community.
“The main idea behind the creation of this institution is to cultivate some aesthetic sense and appreciation of art in the young minds. But I do not want to teach arts to students to create only museum pieces. I want to create human minds which are capable of enjoying beauty and admiring various other manifestations of nature.” - Sundari K. Shridharani
Our Journey Through Time
1950
In 1950, Mrs. Sundari K. Shridharani began teaching dance to sisters Uma and Rama Sharma within the confines of her room at the Imperial Hotel, where she resided with her husband, Dr. Krishnalal Shridharani. That same year, with a modest 100-rupee donation, she established a school in two rooms above a coffee shop in Connaught Place. The institution was named Triveni Kala Sangam—a title coined by musician and composer Vijay Raghav Rao, symbolizing a sacred "confluence" of Dance, Music, and Painting.
1963
Triveni Kala Sangam established its permanent home in Mandi House—where it continues to thrive as a cornerstone of Delhi’s cultural landscape. The building, designed by renowned American architect Joseph Allen Stein, was inaugurated by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, India’s second President. The inaugural ceremony was marked by a performance from the legendary sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar, setting a resonant tone for the institution’s artistic journey.
1977
Inauguration of Triveni’s new wing—The Annexe building. This graceful addition to the main building became home to Triveni’s Auditorium and its the ever-evolving Art Department. It was here that Sculpture, Photography departments came into being.
2012
Founder-Director Mrs.Sundari K. Shridharani passed away, leaving behind a monumental legacy. Her son, Mr. Amar K. Shridharani (as Hony. General Secretary), and daughter, Mrs. Kavita Shridharani Mohindroo (as Triveni Committee President), took the helm to nurture their mother's dream—honoring Triveni's roots while modernizing the institution for a contemporary era.
2026
Triveni celebrates its landmark 75th Anniversary. Modern additions to the institution include the launch of a dedicated Theatre Department, a vibrant annual Theatre Festival, and two prominent Art Galleries—Art Pilgrim and Gallerie Nvya—joining its ecosystem.
Today, Triveni Kala Sangam stands as a vibrant sanctuary in the heart of Delhi, honoring the weight of its rich heritage while continuously welcoming new artistic voices into its fold.
