Kerala Kalamandalam

𝙆𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙢, 𝙁𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 1930 𝙗𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙥𝙤𝙚𝙩 𝙋𝙖𝙙𝙢𝙖𝙗𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙑𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙡 𝙉𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙣𝙖 𝙈𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙠𝙠𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙢 𝙈𝙪𝙠𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙟𝙖, 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙆𝙖𝙠𝙠𝙖𝙙 𝙆𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙫𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙖𝙙. 

The institution was Founded in 1930 by renowned poet PadmabhooshanVallathol Narayana Menon and his close associate Manakkulam Mukundaraja, under the patronage of Kakkad Karanavappad. At the beginning it was exclusively a training centre for Kathakali. Its first venue was Madappattil, the residence of the above patron, at Kunnamkulam near Thrissur. Shortly afterwards it moved to Srinivasam Bungalow of Mukundaraja at Ambalapuram. In 1936, Kalamandalam was relocated to its own plot and building on the banks of the river Bharathapuzha in Cheruthuruthy village of Thrissur District. The well-organized, systematic and disciplined methodology followed in training as well as performances under the tutorship of great gurus, brought world-wide fame and recognition to the institution. The name Kalamandalam came to be recognized the world over and registered on the international cultural map as a symbol of excellence. Kalamandalam is strictly a residential institution imparting training in various performance disciplines such as Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Thullal, Kutiyattam (Male and female), Panchavadyam, Carnatic Music, Mridangam, etc. The training system essentially adheres to the ancient Gurukula Sampradaya, which is the traditional mode of education that emphasizes a deep bond between the teacher and the student. Veteran teachers, talented students and art lovers are its inestimable wealth

In 1975, Kalamandalam started functioning as a grant-in-aid educational institution under the Societies Registration Act of 1955. In 1990, along with training in various performance disciplines formal schooling, beginning with the 8th grade was introduced.

Declaration as Deemed to be University:

Kerala Kalamandalam was declared a Deemed to be University for Art & Culture by the Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India, on the advice of the University Grants Commission, on 14 March 2006, and the Government of Kerala approved its Memorandum of Association and Rules on 15 May 2007. The Government then appointed Dr. K.G. Paulose as the first Vice Chancellor of the Deemed to be University. He took charge on 18 June 2007.

By virtue of being a Deemed to be University, at present, Kerala Kalamandalam offers Graduate, Post-Graduate and PhD Research programs, as well as secondary and higher secondary courses, all under one roof.

Programs of Study and Training

There are 14 Faculties in performing arts such as Kathakali (Vatakkan and Thekkan style), Mohiniyattam, Thullal, Kutiyattam (Male and female), Kathakali Music, Chutty (Make up and costume), Carnatic Music, Mridangam and Kerala percussions like Chenda, Maddalam, Timila, Mizhavu. A good number of talented students from all over Kerala and outside are undergoing training in these disciplines.

Direct PhD program is being offered in two branches: Performing Arts and Cultural Studies. Doctoral programs add a fresh dimension to the academic ambience of Kalamandalam. Expert teachers having specialization in the theory and practice of traditional performing arts serve as teachers/research supervisors in the different departments/faculties.

Vision:

The Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed to be University for Art and Culture has for its abiding vision the preservation and maintenance of a sustainable model of Gurukula Sampradayam, the traditional system of learning and pedagogy in Indian performing arts, attuned to contemporary socio-cultural systems, student expectations and performance requirements. It aspires for the creation of versatile artists, capable of continuing with and enriching ithe traditions in all the disciplines of Kerala’s traditional performance forms. The institution also aims at fostering a vibrant culture of theoretical and practical research on the culture and performing arts of Kerala, in order to produce and further higher discourses of knowledge in these domains.