Khairagarh

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Khairagarh | type = city | latd = 21.42 | longd = 80.97
locator_position = right | state_name = Chhattisgarh
district = Rajnandgaon
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leader_name =
altitude = 307
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 15,149| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone =
postal_code =
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
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Khairagarh is a town and a nagar panchayat in Rajnandgaon District in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh.

History

Khairagarh was a feudatory state of the former Central Provinces of British India. Pandadah (8 km from khairagarh) is one of the most historical places in Chhattisgarh. The chief, who is descended From the old Nagvaansh royal family, received the title of Raja, The King, as an hereditary distinction in 1898. The state included a fertile plain, yielding rice and cotton. Its prosperity was promoted by the Bengal-Nagpur railway, which has a station at Dongargarh, the largest town (pop. 5856 in 1901), connected by road with Khairagarh town, the residence of the Raja.

Geography

Khairagarh is located at coord|21.42|N|80.97|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/37/Khairagarh.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Khairagarh] ] . It has an average elevation of 307 metres (1007 feet).

Climate

Khairagarh is a generally tranquil place, which complements the musical and academic fervor of the university. This part of India has a hot summer between mid-April to mid-June. Besides these two months, the climate is generally pleasant. One may enjoy monsoon, autumn, winter (mild winter, as temperature does not drop down below 25°C) and spring at one place.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Khairagarh had a population of 15,149. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Khairagarh has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 64%. In Khairagarh, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Transport

The three nearby railway stations, Rajnandgaon, Dongargarh, and Durg, are 40, 42 and 55 kilometres away from Khairagarh respectively. Direct trains for Vishakhapatnam, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Howrah, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Trivandrum, Amritsar and New Delhi are available from these railway stations, situated on the main train route of Howrah-Mumbai via Nagpur. The state capital Raipur is a three-hour journey from Khairagarh University. Raipur and Nagpur airports are at a distance of 100 and 225 kilometres, respectively.

Indira Performing Art and Music University

The Indira Performing Art and Music University (Indira Kala-Sangeet Vishwvidyalaya) is Asia's only university dedicated to visual and performing arts.

Indira Kala-Sangeet Vishwvidyalaya was established under the Act XIX of 1956 of the Government of Madhya Pradesh. After the creation of the new state of Chhatisgarh in 2001, the Governor of Chhattisgarh is the Chancellor and Administrative cum Academic Head of I. K. S. V. Khairagarh.

In 1956, the then-rulers of princely state of Khairagarh donated their palace to open a University of Music and Fine Arts. His Majesty, the late Raja Birendra Bahadur Singh, and Her Majesty, the late Rani Padmavati Devi, named this university after their beloved daughter ‘Indira’. [ [http://www.iksvv.com/ab.htm About the University] from the website of Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidhyalaya, accessed 06-sep-2008]

To join and study at the Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya is a way to enjoy Indian art forms. The university offers a long list of subjects and courses related to diverse art forms like classical vocal music (Hindustani and Carnatic), classical instrumental music (Hindustani and Carnatic), classical dance styles (Kathak and Bharatanatyam), folk dance and music, painting, sculpture, graphics, history of Indian art and culture, and various literatures. The university is involved in teaching and research in Indian performing and visual art forms. The University has forty-five affiliated colleges, one affiliated research center and a good number of recognized examination centers throughout India.

References