Kerala Kalamandalam

Kerala Kalamandalam is located in Thrissur, Kerala. It was founded in 1930 by renowned poet Vallathol Narayana Menon. Kerala Kalamandalam is a renowned institution dedicated to the preservation and promotion of traditional Indian performing arts, with a particular focus on the classical art forms of Kerala. It also holds a significant place in the cultural landscape of Kerala and has gained popularity both within India and abroad.

Kerala Kalamandalam has received several accolades and awards for its contribution to the preservation and promotion of classical arts. It has also been recognized by UGC (the University Grant Commission).

Kerala Kalamandalam offers a variety of courses under UG and PG Programmes in – Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Kutiyattam, Thullal, Mridangam, Panchavadyam Thimila, and Karnatic Music.

Kerala Kalamandalam regularly organizes performances and festivals showcasing traditional dance and music forms. These events attract a large audience, including locals, tourists, scholars, and art enthusiasts. The institution's performances are known for their vibrant costumes, elaborate makeup, expressive movements, and captivating storytelling, which have helped popularize these art forms.

Kerala Kalamandalam also houses a Heritage Village and a Museum dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Kerala. These attractions provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the traditional art forms, their history, and the associated rituals and customs.

The vision of Kerala Kalamandalam is to preserve and safeguard the rich cultural heritage of Kerala by promoting and nurturing traditional art forms. It seeks to ensure that these art forms are passed down through generations, maintaining their authenticity and purity.

The mission of Kerala Kalamandalam is to encourage research, documentation, and archiving of traditional art forms, including their history, techniques, music compositions, costumes, and makeup. It seeks to create a repository of knowledge that can benefit scholars, artists, and enthusiasts interested in understanding and studying these art forms.

Kerala Kalamandalam, Thrissur – Key Highlights

Kerala Kalamandalam – Departments

Kerala Kalamandalam – Programmes/Courses offered/ Fee structure

Kerala Kalamandalam in Thrissur offers a variety of courses under UG and PG Programmes in – Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Kutiyattam, Thullal, Mridangam, Panchavadyam Thimila, and Karnatic Music.

The fee structure for the courses varies, with the average fee being INR 1,537 per year with UG's 1st-year fees being INR 2,010. The total fee for PG programmes is around INR 3, 35,000 for 2 years.

However, the fee structure for all of the courses mentioned above may vary depending on the duration of the courses chosen by the candidates during admission.

Please check here for further details.

Kerala Kalamandalam – Popular Programmes

Kerala Kalamandalam offers a variety of courses under UG and PG Programmes in – Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Kutiyattam, Thullal, Mridangam, Panchavadyam Thimila, and Karnatic Music.

Following is the list of some of the popular courses offered at Kerala Kalamandalam in Thrissur.

• Kathakali
• Kutiyattam
• Mohiniyattam
• Thullal
• Mridangam

Kerala Kalamandalam – Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for taking admission at Kerala Kalamandalam in Thrissur may vary based on the courses and programmes opted by the candidates at the time of taking admission.

• For UG Programmes, candidates must have qualified at their 10+2 level with a minimum aggregate of 60%.

• For PG Programmes, candidates must have a Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum aggregate of 45%.

Kerala Kalamandalam – Infrastructure Facilities

Kerala Kalamandalam is spread across a sprawling campus that encompasses various buildings and facilities. It has a modern and well-equipped infrastructure to provide a better learning environment for its students.

Brief details regarding the facilities:

• Theatres: The institution boasts well-equipped theatres where performances, rehearsals, and workshops are conducted. These spaces are designed to accommodate large audiences and provide suitable acoustics and lighting arrangements.

• Classrooms: Kerala Kalamandalam has dedicated classrooms where students receive theoretical and practical instruction. These classrooms are equipped with teaching aids and resources.

• Hostels: The institution provides separate hostels for male and female students. These hostels offer accommodation facilities for students enrolled in various courses.

• Library: Kerala Kalamandalam has a library that houses a wide collection of books, manuscripts, journals, and other resources related to Indian classical art forms. Students and researchers can access these resources for academic and reference purposes.

• Practice Rooms: There are designated practice rooms where students can hone their skills and rehearse under the guidance of their instructors. These rooms are equipped with mirrors and other necessary facilities.

• Costume and Makeup Facilities: Kerala Kalamandalam understands the significance of costumes and makeup in traditional art forms. Therefore, the institution provides facilities for designing, stitching, and maintaining costumes, as well as makeup rooms where students can learn and practice the intricate art of stage makeup.

• Music and Instrument Rooms: The institution offers dedicated spaces for practicing classical music and traditional musical instruments. Students can learn and refine their skills in vocal and instrumental music.

• Research Wing: Kerala Kalamandalam also houses a research wing that supports scholarly activities, research projects, and documentation of traditional art forms. It provides resources and infrastructure to facilitate academic pursuits.

Kerala Kalamandalam – Reviews

Overall rating: 8.5 out of 10 with the following break-up of major components:

Vidyavision does not endorse the views/point of view of the students who participated in the above Reviews as they are their personal observations/opinions.

Kerala Kalamandalam – FAQs & Answers

Q1. What is the status of this University?

Ans. Status of the University – Deemed to be University/ Co-Education/ Non-Minority

Q2. Is Kerala Kalamandalam in Thrissur, a recognized University?

Ans. Kerala Kalamandalam has been recognized by UGC (the University Grant Commission) and has secured 18^th rank in Kerala. It has also been awarded with prestigious awards such as – Balakrishna Kurup Award, Kummini Award, and Moothaman Venkichan Award.

Q3. What are the programmes offered at this University?

Ans. Kerala Kalamandalam in Thrissur offers a variety of courses under UG and PG Programmes in – Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Kutiyattam, Thullal, Mridangam, Panchavadyam Thimila, and Karnatic Music.

Q4. What are the processes of Application/Admission in this University?

Ans. The application process is conducted both online and offline.

For online mode: Candidates are required to visit the official website at – https://www.kalamandalam.ac.in and click on “Admissions” and “Apply now”. Next, candidates are required to register themselves and fill in the application form online step-by-step. In the final step, the students are required to make payment for the application form.

For offline mode: Candidates can visit the official University campus and register themselves after which they can fill in the application form and make payment.

The admission process is done through counselling at the University.

Q5. Is Kerala Kalamandalam in Thrissur, a popular University?

Ans. Kerala Kalamandalam regularly organizes performances and festivals showcasing traditional dance and music forms. The institution's performances are known for their vibrant costumes, elaborate makeup, expressive movements, and captivating storytelling, which have helped popularize these art forms.

The vision of Kerala Kalamandalam is to preserve and safeguard the rich cultural heritage of Kerala by promoting and nurturing traditional art forms. It seeks to ensure that these art forms are passed down through generations, maintaining their authenticity and purity.

The mission of Kerala Kalamandalam is to encourage research, documentation, and archiving of traditional art forms, including their history, techniques, music compositions, costumes, and makeup. It seeks to create a repository of knowledge that can benefit scholars, artists, and enthusiasts interested in understanding and studying these art forms.