64 Kalas (चतुःषष्टिः कलाः)

Kala (Samskrit: कला) or Art is a vital component of the Ancient Indian Education System. They are disciplines, a student acquires knowledge of, during the course of training in the गुरुकुलम् ॥ Gurukula. They are called as चतुःषष्टिः कलाः ॥ Chatusshashti Kala since they are 64 in number.

परिचयः ॥ Introduction

भारतवर्षः ॥ Bharatavarsha (Ancient Indian Sub-continent) has always attached great value to knowledge. Talking of India's knowledge tradition, Kapil Kapoor says, "India's knowledge tradition is ancient and uninterrupted like the flow of the river Ganga."

ज्ञानम् ॥ Jnana (Knowledge) has been at the centre of all speculations in India. There are three terms that appear in all discussions related to knowledge:

• दर्शनम् ॥ Darshana
• ज्ञानम् ॥ Jnana
• विद्या ॥ Vidya

दर्शनम् ॥ Darshana literally means "a point of view" which leads to ज्ञानम् ॥ Jnana (knowledge). When this knowledge, gathered about a particular domain is organized and systematized for purposes of चिन्तनम् ॥ Chintana (reflection) and अध्यापनम् ॥ Adhyapana (pedagogy), it attains the status of विद्या ॥ Vidya (discipline).

The tradition always talks of a combination 18 major विद्याः ॥ Vidyas (disciplines of knowledge) and 64 कलाः ॥ kalas (arts) while referring to the curriculum of Ancient Indian Education

The 18 विद्याः ॥ Vidyas include:

• चतुर्वेदाः ॥ The Four Vedas: ऋग्वेदः ॥ Rigveda, यजुर्वेदः ॥ Yajurveda, सामवेदः ॥ Samaveda and अथर्ववेदः ॥ Atharvaveda
• चत्वारः उपवेदाः ॥ The Four subsidiary Vedas: आयुर्वेदः ॥ Ayurveda (medicine), धनुर्वेदः ॥ Dhanurveda (weaponry), गान्धर्ववेदः ॥ Gandharvaveda (music) and शिल्पशास्त्रम् ॥ Shilpashastra (architecture)

• चत्वारि उपाङ्गानि ॥ The Four Upangas: पुराणम् ॥ Purana, न्यायः ॥ Nyaya, मीमांसा ॥ Mimamsa, धर्मशास्त्रम् ॥ Dharma Shastra

• षड्वेदाङ्गानि ॥ The Six Vedangas (Auxiliary Sciences): शिक्षा ॥ Shiksha (phonetics), व्याकरणम् ॥ Vyakarana (grammar), छन्दस् ॥ Chandas (metre), ज्योतिष् ॥ Jyotish (astronomy), कल्पः ॥ Kalpa (ritual) and निरुक्तम् ॥ Nirukta (etymology)

However, as far as the कलाः ॥ kalas (arts) are concerned, there are competing enumerations of 64.

Which are the 64 Kalas ?

As mentioned above, there are slight variations regarding the enumeration of the 64 कलाः ॥ Kalas (arts). The mention of these arts occur in:

• शैवतन्त्रम् ॥ Shaivatantra
• महाभारतम् ॥ Mahabharata by व्यासमहर्षिः ॥ Vyasa Maharshi
• कामसूत्रम् ॥ Kamasutra by वात्स्यायनः ॥ Vatsyayana
• नाट्यशास्त्रम् ॥ Natya Shastra by भरतमुनिः ॥ Bharatamuni
• भगवतपुराणम् ॥ Bhagavata Purana by व्यासमहर्षिः ॥ Vyasa Maharshi
• शुक्रनीतिः ॥ Shukraneeti by शुक्राचार्यः ॥ Shukracharya
• शिवतत्त्वरत्नाकरः ॥ Shivatattvaratnakara by बसवराजेन्द्रः ॥ Basavarajendra

The list of the 64 Kalas in some these texts have been juxtaposed in the following table:

चतुःषष्टिः कलाः ॥ Chatusshashti Kala (64 Arts)

Text	शैवतन्त्रम्	शुक्रनीतिसारः	शिवतत्वरत्नाकरः
1	गीतम् ॥ Geeta (Singing)	नर्तनम् ॥ Nartana (Dancing)	History
2	वाद्यम् ॥ Vadya (Playing on various musical instruments)	वादनम् || Vadana (Playing musical instruments)	Poetry
3	नृत्यम् ॥ Nrtya (Dancing)	वस्त्रालङ्कारसन्धानम् || Vastralankara sandhana (Decoration by dress and ornaments)	Calligraphy
4	नाट्यम् ॥ Natya (Acting, gesticulation, mimicry)	अनेकरूपाविर्भावकृतिज्ञानम् || Anekaroopavirbhavakrti jnana (Knowledge of sundry mimicry and antics)	Metrical compositions
5	आलेख्यम् ॥ Alekhya (Drawing, Painting, Calligraphy)	शय्यस्तरणसंयोगपुष्पादिग्रथनम् || shayyastaranasamyoga pushpadi grathana (Laying out of beds and furniture and weaving of garland)	Dancing
6	विशेषकच्छेद्यम् ॥ Visheshakacchedya (Painting figures of various designs on the various parts of the body with musk paste and other fragrant substances)	द्युताद्यनेकक्रीडा || Dyutadyanekakreeda (Entertaining people with gambling and various tricks of magic)	Evaluating precious stones
7	तण्डुलकुसुमयलिविकाराः ॥ Tandula kusumayalivikara (Preparing for use in worship various designs with grains of rice, flowers, etc)	अनेकासनसन्धानैः रतेः ज्ञानम् || Anekasanasandhanaih rateh jnaana (Knowledge of different aspects of giving pleasure)	Wrestling
8	पुष्पास्तरणम् ॥ Pushpaastarana (Preparing a bed of flowers)	मकरन्दादीनां मद्यादीनां कृतिः || Makarandadinam madyadinam krti (Distillation of wines and spirituous liquors from flowers)	Cooking
9	दशनवसनाङ्गरागाः ॥ Dashana vasananga raga (Colouring the teeth and other limbs and articles of wearing apparel)	शिराव्रणव्याधे शूल्यगूढाहृतौ ज्ञानम् || Shiravranavyadhe shulyagudhahrtau jnana (Extrication of thorns and relieving pain by operating on the wounds of a vein)	Magic
10	मणिभूमिकाकर्म ॥ Mani bhumika karma (Paving a floor with Precious stones)	हिङ्ग्वादिरससंयोगाद् अन्नादिपचनम् || Hingvadi rasasamyogad annadi pachana (Cooking of food by intermixtures of various tastes)	Shoe-making
11	शयनरचनम् ॥ Shayana rachana (Preparing a bed)	वृक्षादिप्रसवारोपपालनादिकृतिः || Vrkshadiprasavaropapalanadi krti Udakaghat (Planting, grafting and preservation of plants)	Thieving
12	उदकवाद्यम् ॥ Udakavadya (Using a pot full of water as a musical instrument and treading on water)	पाषाणधात्वादिहतिस्तद्भस्मोकरणम् || Pashanadhatvadi hatistadbhasmokarana (Melting and powdering of stones and metals)	Iron smithery
13	उदकघातः ॥ Udakaghata (Sprinkling with water cannons)	इक्षुविकाराणां कृतिज्ञानम् || Ikshuvikaranam Krtijnana (Using preparations from sugarcanes)	Painting
14	चित्रायोगाः ॥ Chitrayoga (Herbal preparations for weakening of enemy)	धात्वौषधीनां संयोगक्रियाज्ञानम् || Dhatu Aushadhinam samyoga Kriya jnana (Knowledge of mixtures of metals and medicinal plants)	Gardening
15	माल्यग्रथनविकल्पाः ॥ Malyagrathana vikalpa (Preparing chaplets and wreathe of flowers)	धातुसाङ्कर्य्यपार्थक्यकरणम् || Dhatu sankaryaparthakya karana (Analysis and synthesis of metals)	Carpentry
16	केशशेखरापीडयोजनम् ॥ Keshashekharapeeda yojana (Ladies hair styling)	धात्वादीनां संयोगापूर्वज्ञानम् || Dhatu adinam samyogapoorva jnana (Preparation of alloys)	Hair-dressing
17	नेपथ्ययोगाः ॥ Nepathyayoga (Modes of beautifying the body with cloths and ornaments of various kinds)	क्षारनिष्कासनज्ञानम् || ksharanishkasana jnana (Preparation of salts)	Hunting
18	कर्णपत्रभङ्गाः ॥ Karnapatrabhanga (Painting ornamental figures on the ears)	पदादिन्यासतः शस्त्रसन्धानविक्षेपः || Padadinyasata shastrasandhana vikshepa (Use and arrangement of arms by proper arrangement of legs).	Trading
19	गन्धयुक्तिः ॥ Gandhayukti (Making perfumes and cosmetics)	सन्ध्याघाताकृष्टिभेदैः मल्लयुद्धम् || Sandhyaghatakrshribhedaih Mallayuddha (Duelling with various artifices)	Agriculture
20	भूषणयोजनम् ॥ Bhushanayojana (Making ornaments of various designs)	मल्लानामशस्त्रं मुष्टिभिः बाहुयुद्धम् || Mallanamashastram mushtibhih bahuyuddha (Hand to hand fight)	Animal husbandry
21	इन्द्रजालम् ॥ Indrajala (Jugglery)	बलदर्पविनाशान्तं नियुद्धम् || Baladarpavinashantam Niyuddha (Niyuddha for destruction of enemy's power and vanity)	making medicines,
22	कौचुमारयोगाः ॥ Kauchumarayoga (the art of beautification)	सन्निपातावघातैश्च कृतं निपीडनम् तन्मुक्तिः || Sannipatavaghataishcha Krtam nipeedanam tanmukti (Attack by duellers and method of extricating oneself from these)	leather work,
23	हस्तलाघवम् ॥ Hastalaghava (Sleight of hand)	अभिलक्षिते देशे यन्त्राद्यस्वनिपातनम् || Abhilakshite deshe yantradyasvanipatana (Throwing of arms and implements towards some fixed point)	driving,
24	चित्रशाकापूपभक्ष्यविकारक्रिया ॥ Chitrashakapupabhakyavikara kriya (Culinary art)	वाद्यसङ्केततो व्यूहरचना || Vadyasanketato Vyuharachana (Formation of battle arrays according to signals given by musical instruments)	fishing,
25	पानकरसरागासवयोजनम् ॥ Panakarasaragasava yojana (Making drinks of various tastes and colours and spirituous liquors of various kinds)	गजाश्वरथगत्या युद्धसंयोजनम् || Gajashvarathagatya Yuddhasamyojana (Arrangement of horses, elephants and chariots in war)	speech-making
26	सूचीवापकर्म ॥ Suchivapakarma (Weaving and needle-work of various kinds)	विविधासनमुद्राभिः देवतातोषणम् || Vividhasanamudrabhih devatatoshana (Propitiation of Gods by various seats and postures)	singing
27	वीणाडमरुकसूत्रक्रीडा ॥ Veena damaruka sutra kreeda (Making musical instruments of various kinds and working puppets by strings)	सारथ्यं च गजाश्वादेर्गतिशिक्षा || Sarathyam cha Gajashvadergatishiksha (Driving horses and elephants)	playing musical instruments
28	प्रहेलिका ॥ Prahelika (Solving riddles)	मृत्तिकाभाण्डादिसत्क्रिया || Mrttika bhandadi satkrya (Cleansing, etc of earthen vessels)	preparing manuscripts
29	प्रतिमा* ॥ Pratima (Sculpture)	काष्ठभाण्डादिसत्क्रिया || Kashtha bhandadi satkrya (Cleansing, etc of wooden vessels)	garland-making,
30	दुर्वचकयोगाः ॥ Durvachaka yoga (Skill in uttering tongue twisters)	पाषाणभाण्डादिसत्क्रिया || Pashana bhandadi satkrya (Cleansing, etc of stone vessels)	dyeing
31	पुस्तकवाचनम् ॥ Pustaka vachana (The art of reading manuscripts easily and quickly)	धातुभाण्डादिसत्क्रिया || Dhatu bhandadi satkrya (Cleansing, etc of metal vessels)	body-care
32	नाटिकाख्यायिकादर्शनम्  ॥ Natika Akhyayika darshana (Dramaturgy and story writing)	चित्राद्यालिखनम् || Chitradyalikhana (Picture drawing)	use of weapons
33	काव्यसमस्यापूरणम् ॥ Kavya samasya purana (Completion of incomplete verses or part verses)	तडागवापीप्रासादसमभूमिक्रिया || Tadagavapiprasada samabhumi krya (Construction of tanks, canals, palaces and squares)	making moulds
34	पट्टिकावेत्रवाणविकल्पाः ॥ Pattikavetravana vikalpa (Making ligatures, canes, arrows)	घट्यादानेकयन्त्राणां वाद्यानां कृतिः || Ghatyadanekayantranam vadyanam krtih (Construction of clocks, watches and musical instruments)	performing pUjll (daily worship)
35	तर्कूकर्माणि ॥ Tarkukarma (Spindle work)	हीनमध्यादिसंयोगवर्णाद्यै रञ्जनम् || Hinamadhyadisamyogavarnadyai ranjana (Dyeing by application of inferior, middling and other colours)	inlay work
36	तक्षणम् ॥ Takshana (Carpentry)	जलवाय्वग्निसंयोगनिरोधैश्च क्रिया || Jalavayvanisamyoga nirodhaishcha krya (Putting down actions of water, air and fire)	arranging flowers
37	वास्तुविद्या ॥ Vastuvidya (Architecture)	नौकारथादियानानां कृतिज्ञानम् || naukarathadiyananam krti jnana (Preparation of boats, chariots and conveyances)	preparing scents
38	रूप्यरत्नपरीक्षा  ॥ Roopya ratna pariksha (Testing valuable metals and precious stones)	सूत्रादिरज्जुकरणविज्ञानम् || Sutradirajjukarana vijnana (Preparation of threads and ropes)	bangle-making
39	धातुवादः  ॥ Dhatuvada (Alchemy)	अनेकतन्त्तुसंयोगैः पटबन्धः || Anekatantusamyogaih Patabandha (Weaving of fabrics)	stitching
40	मणिरागज्ञानम्  ॥ Maniraga jnana (Colouring precious stones)	रत्नानां वेधादिसदसज्ज्ञानम् || Ratnanam vedhadisadasad jnana (Testing of gems)	making ornaments
41	आकरज्ञानम् ॥ Akara jnana (Knowledge of latent minerals)	स्वर्णादीनां याथात्म्यविज्ञानम् || Svarnadinam yathatmya vijnana (Testing of gold and other metals)	making sweets
42	वृक्षायुर्वेदयोगाः ॥ Vrkshayurveda yoga (Nursing and treating plants)	कृत्रिमस्वर्णरत्नादिक्रियाज्ञानम् || Krtrimasvarnaratnadi krya jnana (Preparation of artificial gold and gems) and स्वर्णाद्यलङ्कारकृतिः लेपादिसत्कृतिः ॥ Svarnadi alankara krti lepadisatkrti (Making of ornaments with gold and other metals and enamelling)	home-planning
43	मेषकुक्कुटलावकयुद्धविधिः ॥ Mesha kukkutalavaka yuddhavidhi (Setting game rams, cocks, quails to fight as sport)	चर्मणां मार्दवादिक्रियाज्ञानम् || Charmanam mardavadi krya jnana (Softening of leathers)	training animals
44	शुकसारिकाप्रलापनम्  ॥ Shuka sarika pralapana (teaching parrots and other birds to imitate human speech)	पशुचर्माङ्गनिर्हारक्रियाज्ञानम् || Pashucharmanganirhara krya jnana (Flaying of skins from the bodies of the beasts)	training birds
45	उत्सादनम्  ॥ Utsadana (Making an enemy quit his place by means of a charm)	दुग्धदोहादिविज्ञानम् || Dugdhadohadi vijnana (Milking)	coding
46	केशमार्जनकौशलम्  ॥ Keshamarjana kaushala (Cleaning and dressing the hair)	घृतान्तम् || Grtanta (Churning)	making instruments/machines
47	अक्षरमुष्टिकाकथनम् ॥ Aksharamushtika kathana (Reading letters removed from one's sight and divining the nature of substances held within one's palm)	सीवने कञ्चुकादीनां विज्ञानम् || Seevane Kanchukadinam Vijnana (Sewing of covers)	training memory
48	म्लेच्छितकविकल्पाः ॥ Mlecchitaka vikalpa (Knowledge of books written in the language of Barbarians)	बाह्वादिभिः जले तरणम् || Bahvadibhih jale tarana (Swimming)	physical exercise
49	देशभाषाज्ञानम्  ॥ Deshabhasha jnana (Fluently talking in the different Indian dialects)	मार्जने गृहभाण्डादेः विज्ञानम् || Marjane Grhabhandadeh Vijnana (Cleansing of domestic utensils)	yogic practices
50	पुष्पशकटिकानिमित्तज्ञानम् ॥ Pushpashakatika nimitta jnana (Decoration of vehicles with flowers and Reading good or bad omens)	वस्त्रसम्मार्जनम् || Vastrasammarjana (Cleaning of clothes)
51	यन्त्रमातृका ॥ Yantramatrka (Making diagrams by means of letters arranged in different orders as mystical formulae to be worshipped or worn as an amulet)	क्षुरकर्म || Kshurakarma (Shaving)
52	धारणमातृका ॥ Dharanamatrka (Remembering heard sentences)	तिलमांसादिस्नेहानां निष्कासने कृतिः || Tilamamsadisnehanam nishkasane krti ((Extraction of oil from seeds and fats from flesh)
53	सम्पाट्यम् ॥ Sampatya (Splitting hard substances such as diamonds into two or more pieces of different shapes)	सीराद्याकर्षणे ज्ञानम् || Seeradyakarshane jnana (Drawing of ploughs)
54	मानसीकाव्यक्रिया ॥ Manasikavya kriya (Reading the thoughts of others and bringing them out in a verse)	वृक्षाद्यारोहणे कला || Vrkshadyarohane kala (Climbing of trees)
55	क्रियाविकल्पाः ॥ Kriyavikalpa (Poetry forms)	मनोऽनुकूलसेवायाः कृतिज्ञानम् || Manonukulasevayah krti jnana (Knowledge of pleasing in work)
56	छलितकयोगाः ॥ Chalitayoga (Conceal body or speech)	वेणुतृणादिपात्राणां कृतिज्ञानम् || Venutrnadipatranam krti jnana (Making of vessels with bamboo straws)
57	अभिधानकोषच्छन्दोज्ञानम् ॥ Abhidhanakosh chanda jnana (lexicography and prosody)	काचपात्रादिकरणविज्ञानम् || Kacapatradikarana vijnana (Making of glass vessels)
58	वस्त्रगोपनानि ॥ Vastragopana (Showing off one's clothes as made of a superior texture than what they actually are)	जलानां संसेचनं संहरणम् || Jalanam sansechanam saharana (Pumping and withdrawing water)
59	द्यूतविशेषः ॥ Dyutavishesha (Playing at dice)	लोहाभिसारशस्त्रास्त्रकृतिज्ञानम् || Lohabhisarashastrastra krti jnana (Preparation of tools and implements from iron)
60	आकर्षणक्रीडा ॥ Akarshana kreeda (Attracting remote objects)	गजाश्ववृषभोष्ट्राणां पल्याणादिक्रिया || Gajashvavrshbhoshtranam palyanadi krya (Preparation of saddles for horses, elephants, bulls and camels)
61	बालकक्रीडनकानि ॥ Balaka kreedanaka (Playing childrens' games)	शिशोः संरक्षणे धारणे क्रीडने ज्ञानम् || Shisho samrakshane dharane kreedane jnana (Maintenance, entertainment and nursing of children)
62	वैनायिकीनां विद्यानां ज्ञानम् ॥ Vainaayiki vidya jnana (The Practice of charms)	अपराधिजने मुयुक्ताताडनज्ञानम् || Aparadhijane muyuktatadana jnana (Punishment of offenders)
63	वैजयिकीनां विद्यानां ज्ञानम् ॥ Vaijayiki vidya jnana (Fore knowledge of the party going to win in a debate)	नानादेशीयवर्णानां सुसम्यग् लेखने || Nanadeseeyavarnanam susamyag lekhane (Writing characters of various languages)
64	वैतालिकीनां विद्यानां ज्ञानम्  ॥ Vaitaliki vidya jnana (Keeping goblins and vampires under one's control)	ताम्बूलरक्षादिकृतिविज्ञानम् || Tambularakshadi krti vijnana (Making and preservation of betels)

*The शब्दकल्पद्रुमः ॥ Shabdakalpadruma mentions प्रतिमाला ॥ Pratimala (Capping verses) instead of प्रतिमा ॥ Pratima (Sculpture)