About Us
Our Founder
His Holiness Swami Shantanand Saraswathi, fondly referred to as Swamiji, founded the Temple of Fine Arts (TFA) in 1981. With the intent of uplifting mankind through the arts, TFA was established to allow both student and teacher to grow with inner peace and joy.
His unique vision has allowed the young and old alike, to rediscover the magnificent cultural and artistic heritage of India through the TFA institutions established all over the world.
“Follow any path, religion or doctrine, but believe in it sincerely, because the sincerity of your belief will illuminate your path and guide you to the ultimate common goal – Self-Realisation”
— HH Swami Shantanand Saraswathi
TFA is guided by its motto “Art, Just for the Love of It”, in every facet of its endeavours.
The notion of transcending through the arts is one that Temple of Fine Arts has always championed. This can be in whichever way or form that suits the individual: from finding joy in watching a performance, to building confidence through continued improvement in classes, finding solace in repetition to perfect a sequence, or experiencing the ineffable sublime moment of being one with your art form.
Established 40 years ago in 1981, TFA was born out of a need to make the Indian fine arts more accessible and relevant to a new generation. Using new mediums to explore how art can push boundaries and create an impact with audiences, we hope to set the tone for the artistic exploration and innovation we want to continue delving into, and the greater heights we want to scale over the next 40 years to come.
As an academy, TFA has adopted an integrated approach to learning and is committed to providing a holistic environment that helps each student cultivate their own personal relationship to the arts. To provide a space where the arts is accessible to all, class fees are kept as minimal as possible and no one is turned away for want of financial means.
Through its performances, TFA seeks to share this love for Art with the community at large. As a not-for-profit organisation, TFA has been staging public performances of various genres in leading arts venues in Singapore and the region. It’s belief is that if it can make at least one person feel a little lighter and walk away with a smile, then the performance has fulfilled its purpose. To ensure that there is no barrier to its sharing, all are welcome to TFA’s performances with no admission fee charged. Donations to support the Arts and sustain our endeavours are welcome and graciously accepted. Reach out to us here to find out how you can support the arts.
TFA is an international organisation and is currently located in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru, Malacca, Perth, Colombo, Coimbatore, Chennai, Adelaide, Thiruvannamalai, Hosur and New Jersey. TFA Singapore now has a student cohort of about 700 and a staff strength of over 20 dedicated and qualified faculty who have been guided by luminaries in the Art world. Several graduates of TFA who now live in other cities globally also continue the TFA tradition in their own humble way.