Asha for Education

Kalkeri Sangeet Vidyalaya empowers, supports and encourages children from socially marginalised and economically disadvantaged backgrounds to realise their full potential and attain a better life. This is done through an intensive and comprehensive educational program of academics and the performing arts which is undertaken in a peaceful rural residential setting.
Empowering disadvantaged children according to KSVs mission statement qualifies them in academics and performing arts. Ultimately, this will enable them to find meaningful and well-paid employment which will have a positive impact upon them, their families and their community.

KSV started as an informal music school in October 2001 in Dharwad. Mathieu Fortier, a Canadian citizen studying Hindustani classical music and his wife, Agathe Fortier, a Fine Arts graduate, started a free evening music school, giving the opportunity to forty children from disadvantaged backgrounds to learn the rudiments of Hindustani classical music. Later and in partnership with Ustad Hameed Khan, then the principal of the Music Department at the Karnataka College in Dharwad, and Mathieu’s brother Blasie Fortier the endeavour was expanded into a residential school where students could dedicate themselves completely towards their academic and musical studies.
In November 2002, land near Kalkeri was leased and the school started with twelve brave children and two teachers. After eighteen months, there were forty children, six teachers and a handful of volunteers. Two years later the Kalkeri villagers, appreciating KSV’s work, donated three acres of land which is our current site today.