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

JAWAHARLAL NEHRU UNIVERSITY

It's my pleasure to write about Jawaharlal Nehru University, widely known as JNU. I hope this article may help those who are in search of excellent Asian universities for higher studies and research.

JNU is located in the southern part of New Delhi, Capital of India. and is well connected by road from the three main Railway Stations, i.e. New delhi and Delhi and Nizammudin railway station as well as the Inter-state Bus Terminus of Delhi. It is also a short distance away from the Indira Gandhi International Airport. In short JNU is easily accessible from anywhere in the world.

The very Nehruvian objectives embedded in the founding of the University, national integration, social justice, secularism, the democratic way of life, international understanding and scientific approach to the problems of society had built into it constant and energetic endeavour to renew knowledge through self-questioning.


The excellent teacher-student ratio at 1:10,Several Centres in these Schools have been declared by the UGC to be Centres of 'Excellence'. These are Centre for Historical Studies, Centre for the Study of Social Systems, Centre for Political Studies, Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, Centre for the Study of Regional Development, all in the School of Social Sciences. In addition three Science Schools--School of Physical Sciences, School of Life Sciences and School of Environmental Sciences have also received the UGC recognition as Centers for Excellence.


Leading Faculties in JNU


The University includes the following Schools of inter-disciplinary research and teaching besides some Special Centres of Study:

1.School of International Studies

2.School of Language, Literature and Culture Studies

3.School of Social Sciences

4.School of Arts and Aesthetics

5.School of Life Sciences

6.School of Environmental Sciences

7.School of Computer and Systems Sciences

8.School of Physical Sciences

9.School of Information Technology

10.School of Biotechnology

11.Centre for Molecular Medicine

12.Centre for Sanskrit Studies

13.Centre for the Study of Law and Governance


The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) attracts students from all over the country and abroad, and from diverse strata of society. JNU has come to be deemed the best University in the nation today and is among the better- known Universities of the world. In the academic year 2001-2002, JNU had 186 foreign students from 34 countries from all over the world, a fair chunk of them coming from South- East Asia, Central Asia, Africa, Europe and the USA. Also, it conducted Language and Culture classes free of charge for JNU students, which included Thai Boxing, Japanese, German, English and Hindi classes conducted by FSA members and Indian students. A Delhi sight-seeing tour was organised as well as a trip to Agra.



Financial Aid


JNU Facilitates their students with different Financial Aid Programs

Scholarships

A limited number of Merit-cum-means scholarships are available for the deserving and meritorious students whose parent's/guardian's monthly income does not exceed Rs. 25,000/- per annum or as may be laid down from time to time in case of students of the IVth year of the 5-year Integrated M.A. programme/2-year M.A./M.Sc. Programmes.The value of these scholarships is Rs. 300/- p.m. for resident students and Rs. 120/- p.m. for non-resident students. The payment of scholarships will be governed by the rules in force in the University from time to time.

Note : The term 'income' shall mean Basic pay, DA, CCA, all allowances, honorarium, bonus, special pay etc.(excluding HRA) after allowing standard deduction in the case of salaried persons and entire gross income in the case of non-salaried class without any standard deduction.

A limited number of Ford Foundation Scholarships of the value of Rs. 500/- per month are available for students of the M.A. Programme of the School of International Studies. The Scholarships will be awarded purely on merit subject to the provison that at least half of them will go to female students.



Admission Procedure


Every year foreign students are admitted to various programmes of study under the following categories

(a) Self-financing Students

(b) Under the Cultural Exchange Fellowship Programme of Govt. of India.

(c) As Casual Scholars to audit the courses (not leading to award of any degree)

Foreign students seeking admission in any of the categories under (a) and (b) above will have to satisfy the minimum eligibility criteria for admission to the various programmes of study as prescribed by the University.

All foreign students who are in India are required to appear in the Entrance Examination which will be conducted by the University in the third week of May every year at various Centres all over the country.


Tution Fee

Foreign students admitted to various programmes of study including casual students are required to pay fees and incidental charges as per following rates in US Dollars or in Indian currency as per prevalent exchange rates :

1. Tuition Fee and Other Fees per Semester for courses in Science Disciplines US$ 750

2. Tuition Fee and other Fees per Semester for courses in Humanities & Social Sciences US$ 500

3. Incidental charges per semester US $ 100

Semester fee from foreign nationals is accepted either in foreign currency i.e. in US$ or in equivalent Indian rupees. The exchange rate for accepting fees from foreign nationals has been accepted as the buying rate prevalent on the first day or registration in each semester. The Finance Branch of the University notifies the rate of conversion of the US$ into Indian rupees applicable for each semester. Refunds, if any, will be in Indian Currency. However, the decision of the University in the matter will be final.


Time Table For Admission


1. Last date of receipt of completed Application Form 1st April

2. Deadline for registration of candidates selected for admission to various programmes 14th August


Semesters and Vacations


1. Monsoon Semester : 22nd July to 5th December

2. Winter Semester : 6th January to 12th May

3. Winter Break : 6th December to 5th January

4. Summer Vacation : 13th May to 21st July


Hostel Facilities


JNU which is basically a residential University, endeavours to provide residence to almost all outstation students. There are 16 hostels which can accommodate about 4600 students.

The messes in the hostels are highly subsidised as students do not have to pay for the services of cooks, helpers, sanitation and other staff that have been provided to the hostels. The provision of three meals in each hostel is on "no profit no loss" basis. The actual running of the mess is controlled by the mess committee elected by the students themselves.

Hostels charges are nominal. Each hostel is provided with indoor and outdoor facilities for games and sports. Recreation facilities like T.V. sets and some musical instruments are also provided.

Private housing facility is available around JNU Campus. However, the University does not provide any specific information or suggestion regarding private accommodation.

There is also a Foreign Students' Association in the University under the general supervision of a Foreign Students' Advisor.

The University hostel system includes 10 Hostels for Boys and Girls and one complex accommodating married students and one complex is coming up shortly for post Doctoral Fellows. These are spacious, well furnished hostels. Apart from hygienic foods, hostels provides recreational facilities includes TVs, indoor games, health Club, and PCOs etc. Each hostel has its live-in wardens, a member of faculty who administers the hostels.

Important Telephone Numbers

1. Foreign Students Advisor - 26704215

2. Dean of Students - 26742523

3. Director of Admissions - 26704054

4. Dy. Registrar (Admissions) - 26742617

5. Public Relations Officer - 26704046

Prof. Sushama jain is the advisor of the Foreign Students' Affairs. Contact advisor_fsa@mail.jnu.ac.in for queries.

For more inquiries, contact dr_admissions@mail.jnu.ac.in