and present Director, Shobha Deepak Singh in 1999. The Kendra has its own puppet troupe for many years, run by Rahi and Keshav Kothari, while the Puppet Section of the Kendra staged several important productions over the years, including Dhola Maru, Jhansi Ki Rani and Prithiviraj-Sanjukta, which even won the first at Puppet festival in Udaipur. This played an important role in establishing modern puppetry in Delhi. The Kendra also houses an art gallery at the ground level and its library has a large and rare collection of books, audio and visual recordings and extensive archives. Founder Sumitra Charat Ram died on 8 August 2011 in New Delhi, at the age of 96. Courses Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra has two wings, College of Music and Dance, and the Performing Arts Section. College of Music and Dance Hindustani classical Vocal Light Classical Vocal Hindustani classical instruments: Tabla, Sitar and Sarod Kathak Bharatanatyam Odissi dance Chhau – Mayurbhanj Ballet / Contemporary Dance Performing Arts Wing The Performing Arts Section of the Kendra put up productions of dance dramas all over the country, including the annual "Ramlila" production. The Ramlila The Annual "Ramlila" production, a dance drama based on the life of Rama, at the Kendra has become an institution by itself. The first production took place in 1957 by Shobha Deepak Singh, ideas from Nirmala Joshi, the first secretary of the Sangeet Natak Akademi. The script was written by Hindi poet, Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar', while Tapas Sen, and Inder Razdan designed the set and the lights. Narendra Sharma and Jayanti Sharma were principal actors and it was inaugurated by then PM Jawaharlal Nehru. It was one of the first dance dramas to be shot and relayed by Delhi Doordarshan. The Ramlia also weaves contemporary socio-political issues into the storyline of the epic of Ramayana. Sumitra Charat Ram Award for Lifetime Achievement In February 2011, the first 'Sumitra Charat Ram Award for Lifetime Achievement' established by Shri Ram Bhartiya Kala Kendra was award to Pandit Birju Maharaj, in the following year, the award was given to Kishori Amonkar. Festivals Shriram Shankarlal Music Festival Kendra Dance Festival Holi Festival Location Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra is on the Copernicus Marg, a radial of the India Gate, and in the Mandi House area, Delhi's cultural hub. It stands next to its sister body the "Kamani Auditorium" and Delhi's premier auditorium opened in 1971. On the other