Kerala Kalamandalam

Kerala Kalamandalam Info

Kerala Kalamandalam, officially known as the Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed University for Art and Culture, is India's premier institution dedicated to the training, preservation, and promotion of Kerala's traditional performing arts. Situated on the scenic banks of the Bharathapuzha (Nila) River at Cheruthuruthy in the Thrissur district of Kerala, it stands as a global beacon for Indian classical heritage.

The institution was established in 1930 by the renowned Malayalam nationalist poet Mahakavi Vallathol Narayana Menon and his close associate Manakkulam Mukunda Raja. During the early 20th century, classical performing arts were on the verge of extinction due to the collapse of traditional royal and feudal patronage. Alarm by this decline, Vallathol envisioned a dedicated academy to revive and safeguard forms like Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, and Koodiyattam. Relocated to its permanent home in Cheruthuruthy in 1936, Kalamandalam provided these endangered art forms with formal institutional backing and public appreciation.

A defining feature of Kerala Kalamandalam is its adherence to the traditional Gurukula Sampradayam—a residential system of education where students live alongside master gurus to absorb artistic traditions through rigorous daily practice and mentorship. While maintaining ancient teaching methods, Kalamandalam modernised its structure over time by introducing academic schooling alongside performance training. In 2006, the Government of India conferred upon it the status of a Deemed University, expanding its scope to include undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral research programs.

The university offers comprehensive instruction across diverse artistic disciplines. These include classical dance and theatre forms such as Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Koodiyattam, Nangiar Koothu, and Thullal, as well as classical vocal music and traditional percussion instruments including the Chenda, Maddalam, Mizhavu, Mridangam, and Panchavadyam. Specialized training is also provided in green-room arts, including elaborate face makeup (Chutty) and traditional stage costuming essential for Kathakali performances.

The campus boasts architectural landmarks, most notably its grand Koothambalam (traditional temple theatre), featuring granite pillars carved with 108 dance poses (karanas) from the ancient treatise Natya Shastra. To engage international scholars and tourists, Kalamandalam runs programs such as "A Day with the Masters," offering visitors guided insights into class sessions, makeup rituals, and live rehearsals.

Through decades of continuous operation, Kerala Kalamandalam has produced legendary exponents, scholars, and performers who have popularized South Indian classical arts across major international stages. It remains a vital cultural ecosystem that bridges historical traditions with modern academic scholarship.

Kerala Kalamandalam: Ranking and Recognition

Kerala Kalamandalam (Deemed to be University for Art and Culture) holds a unique and prestigious position in India's academic and cultural ecosystem. Rather than competing in standard engineering or general arts metrics, its recognition stems from its role as India’s premier government-backed institution for classical performing arts.

Statutory Recognition & Accreditations

• UGC Approval (Deemed University): Conferred the status of Deemed to be University under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 in 2006 by the Ministry of Education (Government of India).

• Honors, Awards & Alumni Recognition: The institutional prestige of Kalamandalam is heavily reflected through the national honors awarded to its faculties, gurus, and alumni:

  • Padma Awards: Dozens of Kalamandalam stalwarts and alumni have been conferred with the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri (including recent awardees like Kalamandalam Vimala Menon) for their pioneering contributions to Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, and Koodiyattam.

  • Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships: High concentration of Sangeet Natak Akademi Award winners and Ratna Puraskar fellows among its faculty and alumni network.

  • State Cultural Fellowships: Recognized as the apex body for recommending and awarding state-level cultural honors in Kerala

Kerala Kalamandalam: Faculty

Kerala Kalamandalam maintains a distinguished faculty consisting of traditional gurus, renowned performing artists, and modern academic scholars. The faculty structure blends traditional artistic mentorship with modern academic standards, operating across several specialized departments.

Faculty Departments

The academic and performing faculty is organized into specific specialized departments:

Theatre & Performing Arts

• Kathakali (Vadakkan & Thekkan Style): Specialized gurus teaching acting (Vesham), facial expressions (Abhinaya), and body movement traditions across Northern and Southern styles.

• Koodiyattam & Nangiar Koothu: Gurus training students in Sanskrit theatre, eye movements, and classical hand gestures (Mudras).

• Thullal: Instruction in visual storytelling, rhythm, and satirical folk-classical performance.

• Chutty (Makeup & Costume): Technical faculty for traditional face painting, headgear making, and elaborate stage attire.

Classical Dance

• Mohiniyattam: Senior dance gurus leading training in Kerala's classical dance form.

• Bharatanatyam & Kuchipudi: Specialized faculty covering auxiliary South Indian classical dance forms.

Vocal & Instrumental Music

• Kathakali Music: Faculty specializing in Sopanam music style and vocal accompaniment for Kathakali performances.

• Percussion Departments: Dedicated gurus for Chenda, Maddalam, Mridangam, Thimila, and Mizhavu.

• Carnatic Music: Vocal and instrumental training.

Humanities & Languages

• Sanskrit, Malayalam, and English: Academic professors providing theoretical grounding in classical literature, aesthetics, performance theory, and language skills.

Kerala Kalamandalam: Programmes /Courses Offered/ Fee Structure

Kerala Kalamandalam (Deemed to be University for Art and Culture) offers a structured curriculum that spans foundational school-level training up to doctoral research in South Indian classical performing arts, music, and cultural humanities.

Academic Programmes & Courses Offered

The academic pathway at Kalamandalam is unique, allowing students to enroll as early as Class 8 for traditional training alongside school education, progressing all the way through research degrees.

1. Secondary & Higher Secondary Education (Kalamandalam High School)

• Classes VIII to X (Secondary School Leaving Certificate - SSLC): Blends core school subjects with intensive practical training in chosen discipline (Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Vocal, Percussion, etc.).

• Classes XI & XII (Higher Secondary): Specialized discipline training integrated with Humanities syllabus under the Kerala State Higher Secondary Board.

2. Undergraduate Programs

• B.A. / B.P.A. (Bachelor of Performing Arts) – 3 to 4 Years

  • Dance: Mohiniyattam, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi

  • Theatre/Acting: Kathakali (Vesham - Vadakkan & Thekkan styles), Koodiyattam, Thullal

  • Vocal Music: Kathakali Music, Carnatic Music

  • Instrumental & Percussion: Chenda, Maddalam, Mizhavu, Mridangam, Thimila

  • Production & Visual Arts: Chutty (Kathakali Makeup & Costuming)

3. Postgraduate Programs

• M.A. / M.P.A. (Master of Performing Arts) – 2 Years

  • Advanced specialization in classical dance, classical theatre, percussion instruments, vocal music, and Cultural Studies / Sanskrit.

4. Research & Doctoral Programs

• Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy): Full-time and part-time research in Performing Arts, Indology, Cultural Studies, Theatre History, and Folklore.

• M.Phil. (Phased out under NEP, historical research track)

5. Short-Term & Diploma Courses

• 1-Year Certificate & Diploma Courses: Intended for foreign students, research scholars, and external art enthusiasts seeking training in specific art forms.

Kerala Kalamandalam: Admissions/Application Process

Admissions at Kerala Kalamandalam (Deemed to be University for Art and Culture) are designed to evaluate both academic eligibility and practical artistic aptitude. Because the university specializes in classical performing arts, selection places strong emphasis on auditions, performance tests, and interviews.

Step-by-Step Application Process

• 10th / 12th / Degree Mark Sheets & Provisional Certificates

• Transfer Certificate (TC) & Conduct Certificate

• Caste / Community / EWS Certificate (if applying under reservation)

• Proof of Age (Birth Certificate or SSLC Board Certificate)

• Passport-sized photographs

• Traditional training efficiency certificates (for non-degree PG candidates)

Kerala Kalamandalam: Facilities

Kerala Kalamandalam situated along the banks of the Bharathapuzha River in Cheruthuruthy, offers specialized facilities designed to integrate traditional Gurukula training with modern educational standards.

Key Campus Facilities

• Koothambalam (Traditional Temple Theatre)
• Gurukula Kalarikal (Training Halls)
• Vallathol Museum & Art Gallery
• Library & Documentation Centre

Kerala Kalamandalam: FAQs and Answers

Q1. What type of institution is Kerala Kalamandalam?

Ans. It is a public Deemed to be University dedicated to training, research, and preservation of South Indian classical performing arts.

Q2. Who founded Kerala Kalamandalam and in which year?

Ans. It was founded in 1930 by the nationalist poet Mahakavi Vallathol Narayana Menon and Manakkulam Mukunda Raja.

Q3. Where is Kerala Kalamandalam located?

Ans. It is situated on the banks of the Bharathapuzha River at Cheruthuruthy in the Thrissur district of Kerala, India.

Q4. What teaching methodology does Kerala Kalamandalam follow?

Ans. It operates on the traditional Gurukula Sampradaya, a residential system of intensive daily mentorship between masters and students.

Q5. What academic degrees are offered by the university?

Ans. The university offers Secondary/Higher Secondary education, Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA/BA), Master of Performing Arts (MPA/MA), and Ph.D. degrees.