Kerala Kalamandalam

Kerala Kalamandalam is a major center for learning Indian Performing Arts especially those that developed in the Indian state of Kerala. It is situated in the village of Cheruthuruthy in Thrissur district near the banks of Bharathapuzha River.

It was founded in 1930 by late poet Vallathol Narayana Menon and Manakkulam Mukunda Raja. Kalamandalam imparts training in classical dance and theatre formsKathakali, Mohiniyattam, Kudiyattam, Thullal,Kuchipudi,Bharatanatyam,Nangiar Koothu, and traditional orchestraPanchavadyam.Training is also given in various percussion instruments like Chenda,Maddalam,and Mizhavu. Kalamandalam follows the Gurukula system of education, the ancient Indian education system.

In the turn of the century, it was the whims and fancies of feudal chieftains and temple committees that controlled ancient art forms like Koodiyattam and Kathakali. Mohiniyattam, the graceful dance , had fallen into disrepute.From the modest contributions of an art loving public and money collected through lotteries, Kerala Kalamandalam was born in November 1930, in Kunnamkulam and later shifted to a village called Cheruthuruthy, nestled on the banks of the Nila, the cradle of Keralan culture.

Kalamandalam was conceived in the Gurukula Sampradaya, an ancient tradition of residential schooling where students stayed with the teachers, sharing the same atmosphere and learning from them the nuances of the great arts. Eminent masters were brought to Kalamandalam. Training sessions, which started in the morning, extended till late in the night.

The changes brought by Kalamandalam in Kerala’s social and cultural ethos is indeed noteworthy. It sought to democratize high art in a caste ridden society, where the practice of classical arts was the privilege of only the so called upper castes.

In the first half of this century the 2000 years old ancient art form of Kootiyattom was relegated to Koothambalams in a few great temples. From a stifling environment of caste restrictions, Koothambalam today has been revitalized and accessible to all. Today UNESCO has honored Kootiyattom as being part of a living World Heritage.

Admission

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 we receive hundreds of applications from young aspirants for admission to different courses. We have constituted an Interview Board consisting of experts in each art- discipline and members of the Governing Council. Eligible applicants will be requested to appear for an interview at Kalamandalam by the end of May. The 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 my possibly get preference. For areas 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. 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. In the present setup, the Diploma Course is retained to enable talented aspirants undergo training in various art- subjects.

Courses Offered

KATHAKALI VESHAM- REGULAR KALARI KATHAKALI VESHAM- THEKKAN KALARI (South School) KATHAKALI MUSIC-REGULAR KALARI KATHAKALI MUSIC- THEKKAN KALARI KATHAKALI CHENDA- REGULAR KALARI KATHAKALI CHENDA - THEKKAN KALARI KATHAKALI MADDALAM KATHAKALI CHUTTY - REGULAR KALARI KATHAKALI CHUTTY - THEKKAN KALARI MOHINIYATTAM KUTIYATTAM

Contact:

Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed University for Art and Culture Cheruthuruthy – 679 531 via Thrissur, Kerala, India Telephone: 91+ 4884 262418, 262526, Fax: 91- 4884 - 262019

www.kalamandalam.org
Email: info@kalamandalam.org