Founded in 1936, Kalakshetra is a leading serious school of Tamil classical dance and music (sponsoring many students from disadvantaged backgrounds), set in beautiful, shady grounds in far south Chennai. During morning class times visitors can (quietly) wander the grounds, and visit the Rukmini Devi Museum . Across the road is the Kalakshetra Craft Centre where you can see Kanchipuram-style hand-loom weaving, textile block-printing and the fascinating, rare art of kalamkari (hand-painting on textiles with vegetable dyes).
The Thiruvanmiyur bus stand, terminus of many city bus routes, is 500m west of the Kalakshetra entrance.
While here it's also worth visiting the Book Building , 700m south of Kalakshetra, where Tara Books stages free exhibitions, talks and workshops, as well as displaying its own highly original handmade books. With prior notice, you can visit the book-making workshop (10 minutes' drive away).
