Sumitra Charat Ram

🪔 About

Sumitra Charat Ram (1914-2011) was a distinguished Indian arts patron and impresario, widely recognized for her pivotal role in the revival of performing arts in post-independence India. Born on November 17, 1914, in Meerut, she was the founder of the Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra (SBKK) in New Delhi, an institution established in 1952 that became a cornerstone for the promotion and training of Indian classical music and dance. Charat Ram's journey into arts patronage began in 1947 with the establishment of the Jhankar Committee, an initiative to support musicians and dancers who had lost royal patronage after India's independence. Under her leadership, SBKK flourished, providing a vital platform for leading gurus of various Kathak gharanas and other classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam, Odissi, and Chhau. The institution also became home to the Kathak wing, which later evolved into the National Institute of Kathak Dance (Kathak Kendra) in 1955. Her dedication to the arts earned her the Padma Shri Award, India's fourth-highest civilian honor, in 1966. Sumitra Charat Ram's vision and tireless efforts ensured that Delhi emerged as a significant center for cultural revival and artistic innovation. She passed away on August 8, 2011, at the age of 96, leaving behind a profound legacy carried forward by her daughter, Shobha Deepak Singh, who continues to lead the Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra. Awards & Honours: Padma Shri (1966).