Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed University

Kerala Kalamandalam is the premiere public institution in the country for the preservation and promotion of Kerala’s traditional performing arts. Since its inception, it has been a beehive of activities attracting artists, art-scholars, historians, ties attracting artists, art-scholars, historians, theatre-artists/directors, choreographers and art-lovers from all over the world. 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. 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 the 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. ...view more