The Kalas of ancient Bharat include the 64 forms of fine arts and crafts, which are also called Chausat or Chathusashti Kalas. Unfortunately, it is a misunderstood term, and many people only have erroneous views on it. Just because of the usage of the term Kala, it is thought that it includes only fine arts.

1. Resolving Misunderstanding Of The Bharatiya
Chausat Kalas
Satjit Kumar
Writes informational articles on ancient Indian
artisan vocational education 64 kalas or chausat
kala, along with others articles on finance, health,
sanathana dharma and wisdom.

2. The Kalas of ancient Bharat include the 64 forms of fine arts and crafts, which
are also called Chausat or Chathusashti Kalas. Unfortunately, it is a
misunderstood term, and many people only have erroneous views on it. Just
because of the usage of the term Kala, it is thought that it includes only fine arts.
But it’s not so. Along with that, there are many other misconceptions related to
the Kalas. This article attempts to present a correct picture of what exactly are the
Chausath or Chathusashti Kalas.

3. • Firstly, it needs to be understood that fine arts are just elements of the 64 Kalas,
and not all Kalas can be called art forms. Kala is inclusive of many crafts, as
well. For instance, fine arts like singing, drama, dancing, and painting are
covered under the 64 Kalas. Similarly, carpentry, jewelry works, weaving, and
needle works, to name a few, are crafts that come under Kala.
• An interesting question is whether the Chausath Kalas were parts of the ancient
Gurukul system of education. The primary scope of the gurukul education was to
provide knowledge about the four Vedas, the four Upavedas, and the six
Vedangas. Students having high IQ and intelligence only could grasp the Vidyas.
Since the 8 fine arts are closely related to Sama Veda and Gandharvaveda
Upaveda – they were mostly essential parts of the Gurukul education.
• Vedic education also catered to the Kshatriya and Vysya varnas, who needed to
know the 64 kalas for reasons of administration/taxation and trade or
manufacturing businesses. Exposure was likely provided if not formal training in
the Chathusashti Kalas.

4. In this context, it has to be noted that even students who were not possessed with
scholastic, mathematical, or logical aptitude had other options for education.
They had the freedom to pursue mastery of kalas in demand in the marketplace or
based on their interest. These kalas enabled them to make a livelihood in that
area.
• A crucial point needs to be understood about the presence of these two forms of
education in ancient Bharat. Education seems to be guided to make sure that
children of varied intelligence levels have choices for learning. Education was
considered sacred and it was tailored for various levels of competence.
• The difference in focus between the Gurukuls and the Kala schools is
highlighted above. At the same time, no one was deprived of atmik education or
the basics of education as temples also served as patashalas teaching the basics of
the 6 Vedangas to all sections of Hindus. British time surveys in various parts of
India confirm the same facts which are made popular by Shri Dharampal in his
book ‘The Beautiful Tree’. This book is based on surveys of British retrieved
from their libraries in the UK by Shri Dharampal.

5. Values espoused in the Vedas are part of the Puranas and Itihasas. Also,
traditional stories, games, and quotations were used to instill values and morals in
all sections of the population.
• Learning was based on the apprentice model. The teachers of Kalas are
respected even today in modern society. There is one difference, the teachers of
Kalas were not prevented from earning high income from their kalas as is the
case with Vedic acharyas.
• There is another big myth about Kalas that is entertained by numerous
individuals. It is argued that all the Kalas only deal with arts and art forms that
can’t be called necessities; they aren’t necessary for society or help earn a living.
This is not entirely correct. There is no denying the fact that the Chausath Kalas
comprise essential crafts like weaving, tailoring, and blacksmithing to name a
few. Not only that arts/crafts like jewelry works, usage of aromatics, and facial
make-up can be classified as supporting the luxuries of the rich. Which would
help earn a good livelihood.

6. Simultaneously, crafts such as carpentry, preparation of medical cures, and
mechanics are also elements of the 64 kalas. And, having people skilled in these
crafts in the neighborhood is a must; everyone requires these services at some
time or the other.
• As mentioned at the start of this article, the traditional Bharatiya Chausat Kalas
or Chathusashti Kalas are vastly misunderstood. The destruction of financial
support for traditional education helped the British to loot more money from
India which they did with ruthlessness. The ignorance of the traditional Bharatiya
Chausat Kalas or Chathusashti Kalas is a direct consequence of the colonial
destruction of our traditional education system through Macaulay education
policies.

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