Kerala Kalamandalam

About Kerala Kalamandalam

Kerala Kalamandalam is a Deemed University for Art and Culture. It is the premiere public institution in India imparting training in and conducting performances of the classical arts of Kerala viz. Kathakali, Kutiyattam, Mohiniyaattam, Thullal and Panchavaadyam. It has been established for the preservation and promotion of Kerala’s traditional performing arts. As such training in art disciplines at Kalamandalam essentially follows the ancient Gurukula Sambradaaya or the traditional mode of education which involves a deep bond between the teacher and the student. This is also the reason why Kalamandalam is strictly a Residential Centre of Learning. The status of the Institute as a University were realised during the historic encounter between the noble laureate Rabindranatha Tagore and Vallathol at Santinikethan, Kolkotta. The latter nurtured dreams of converting Kalamandalam into a world renowned University for art and culture. Together with his close associate, Manakkulam Mukunda Raja, Vallathol made pioneering efforts for the multifaced development of Kalamandalam. Founded in 1930 by renowned poet Padmabhooshan Vallathol Narayana Menon along the banks of the river Nila in the Cheruthuruthy village of Thrissur District, Kalamandalam is an immortal name in the cultural map of the world. Veteran teachers and talented students are its inestimable wealth.

Kalamandalam introduced High School education for its students in 1990. The new system harmonized academic-study and training in performing arts. Till then all the students who joined for regular courses were awarded Diploma and Post – Diploma.  Post graduate program in performing arts started in 2007. Initially, Kathakali, Kutiyattam and Mohiniyattam were the faculties in which post-graduate courses came in to being. In 2013, three more art disciplines viz. Kathakali Chenda, Karnatic Music and Mohiniyattam were added to the Course. Selection to M.A. Degree Course in Kathakali, Kutiyattam, Mohiniyattam, Kathakali Chenda, Karnatic Music and Mridangam is strictly based on merit. Kalamandalam offers M. Phil and Ph. D programs in various subjects. Details of the Course can be had from the office.

Kerala Kalamandalam has been functioning as a grant-in-aid institution under the Cultural Affairs Department, Government of Kerala. For special Projects, the Department of Culture, Government of India, and the Sangeet Natak Akademy, New Delhi, had been extending financial support.

Courses of Study

There are fourteen art-disciplines at Kalamandalam which combine theoretical and practical training in the traditional performing arts of Kerala.

Kerala Kalamandalam University provides the below mentioned courses of study:

Academic Procedure of Kerala Kalamandalam

• In April-May every year Kalamandalam notifies in the leading Malayalam newspapers details of admission to students in the various courses offered here. Every year the University receives hundreds of applications from young aspirants for admission to different courses. Eligible applicants are requested to appear for written test at Kalamandalam by the end of May
• All those who secure reasonable marks in the test have to appear for an interview. The interview - board will judge the aptitude of each applicant and would consider previous training if any he/she has in the art-discipline concerned
• Applicants belonging to families practising traditional arts have a relative advantage. For the disciplines of acting / dancing, sense of rhythm, physical appearance and histrionic taste are the criteria for selection
• For vocalists and percussionists, sense of rhythm, voice-culture and previous training are the most desirable qualities for selection
• Students admitted to various courses have to join the A.H.S.L.C. (Art High School Leaving Certificate Course). The upper-age limit for admission is thirteen
• Each student is allowed to choose only one art-discipline for intensive training. Together with theoretical and practical training in the performing art concerned he / she has to learn scholastic subjects in the school
• Those who pass the three-year A.H.S.L.C. Course can join the Plus Two Course and then for the B.A. Degree in Performing Arts

Location

Kerala Kalamandalam is situated along the Thrissur-Shoranur Highway.

Transportation

• From Thrissur town, Kalamandalam is 32 kms. to the North.
• Shoranur Junction, a major Railway-station is only three kms. away from Kalamandalam
• From Kochi/Eranakulam, the distance to Kalamandalam is only 110 kms. to the North. Kalamandalam is 330 KMs to the north of Thiruvananthapuram
• Kerala’s international airport at Nedumbassery is only 85 kms. away from Kalamandalam along the Thrissur- Ernakulam National Highway - 47

Kerala Kalamandalam Faculties

• Classical Theatre
• Dance
• Kathakali
• Languages
• Music
• Percussions

Facilities

Academic Education and Practical Training - Kalamandalam has launched several schemes to re-strengthen the academic-culture of the institution. The syllabi of the degree courses in different performing arts have been revised with the help of the newly reconstituted Board of Studies. The degree has been renamed B.A. instead of B.P.A. (Bachelor of Performing Art). In prescribing the syllabi, experts have formulated guidelines taking into account the concerns of both teachers and students.

The criteria for regular admission, mode of selection, reservation, fee-structure and procedures for private registration can be had from the prospectus published by Kalamandalam. To facilitate advanced study and research on the traditional performing arts of Kerala, Kalamandalam has commenced a regular integrated M. Phil/Ph. D programme as well as a part-time three year Ph. D programme. The areas broadly identified for research are classical theatre, modern theatre, dance, music and other fine arts. Practising artists, scholars and connoisseurs are eligible to register for research programmes as per norms. The University will provide competent Guides for supervising research. Services of co-guides can also be availed of whenever necessary. Details regarding eligibility, admission procedures, evaluation, awarding of degrees and other essential rules and regulations related to these courses can be had from the prospectus.

Steps have been taken to ensure qualitative assessment of the training imparted to students so that they get lot of space and time for corrections and improvements. The racholliyattam (late evening Kalari) will soon be re-introduced as a regular feature of training. Stage performances of promising students for gaining expertise will get prominence in the training schedules.

Hostel - As Kerala Kalamandalam is a residential centre of learning, all students admitted for the regular courses have to stay in the hostels concerned. The food is strictly vegetarian. All the students have to follow the rules and regulations prescribed for the hostel inmates from time to time.

Canteen - Kalamandalam offers only vegetarian food in its canteen. The canteen is mainly meant for regular students.

Library - With a collection of over 50,000 books on theater, music, dance, Indian History, Aesthetics, Epics, Puranas and so on Kalamandalam library is distinguished in many respects.

Stipend - Kalamandalam gives monthly stipend to the students based on the income-status of their families. The upper-income limit to apply for stipend is Rs.1 lakh. The stipend is usually awarded initially for a period of one year. The continuation of stipend for the subsequent years for each student is related to the Progress Report. For those who fall short of marks in the terminal and yearly examinations, stipends will either be withheld or withdrawn. The newly admitted students who are in need of stipend have to apply for the same in the first week of June every academic year.

Reservations - Admission at Kerala Kalamandalam for various courses of study observes rules and regulations of reservation applicable to SC/ST/OEC students. All those students who come under the cast categories recognized by the Government are eligible for stipends and other allowances from the departments concerned.

Research - Research is yet to be a vital area in the sphere of classical arts. The materials for study / research we have so far are mostly eulogies / hagiography on artists by their admirers. Scientific evaluation and aesthetic interpretations are rare. Art criticism is hence in a degenerated state. The university has therefore begun programs for research and higher studies in the field of performing arts. Cultural studies, Performance studies, Mass Communication, Women’s studies and documentary film-productions are being incorporated as part of the doctoral programs at Kalamandalam.

Guest House - There is a Govt. Guest House and a PWD Rest House at Cheruthuruthy, two Kms. away from the Kalamandalam main campus. Visitors usually stay there. Rooms are almost always available there. Rent is quite reasonable.

Achievements

• Kalamandalam Kathakali, Kutiyattam, Mohiniyaatam and Thullal Troupes have travelled widely in India and abroad for programs, lecture-demonstrations and workshops. They have represented India in many an international dance and theater festival

• For the preservation and promotion of Kutiyattam, UNESCO sanctioned substantial financial assistance to Kalamandalam in 2004 through Japan Funds Trust