ക്വട്ടേഷൻ നോട്ടീസ് (wood )
Kathakali
Kathakali has borrowed generously from extant forms of classical, folk, and ritual arts.
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Kerala Kalamandalam renowned for its meticulous training and performances, the institution offers instruction in various classical dance and theatre forms, including Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Kudiyattam, Thullal, Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, and NangiarKoothu. Additionally, it features training in the traditional orchestra Panchavadyam and Modern Theatre. The curriculum also includes Modern Indian languages, Aesthetics, and Indian Literature, reflecting the institution’s comprehensive approach to arts education.
In 1930, the nationalist poet Vallathol Narayana Menon and Manakkulam Mukunda Raja envisioned the establishment of the first public institution for performing arts in Kerala, aiming to nurture and sustain traditional performance expressions through modern public patronage. This vision materialized as Kerala Kalamandalam, which was transformed into a deemed university in 2007. Offering undergraduate to doctoral programs through its 14 departments, Kerala Kalamandalam is fully funded by the State Government of Kerala, India.
Kalamandalam enjoys an international reputation in the fields of Indian Performing Arts and Intercultural Theatre. Esteemed theatre makers and scholars such as Eugenio Barba, Jerzy Grotowski, Peter Brook, Richard Schechner, Phillip Zarrilli, Farley Richmond, Marlene Pitkow, Rolf Groesbeck, Justine Lemos, and Ms. Milena Salvini have visited Kalamandalam to train in its unique body training systems and to explore the performative matrix essential for their intercultural theatre work.
THE BEGINNING- HERITAGE,TRADITION AND LEGACY
Historical Significance: Founded by the renowned poet Padmabhoshan Vallathol Narayana Menon, Kerala Kalamandalam is dedicated to preserving and promoting the ancient artistic heritage of Kerala.During the twilight of the 19th century, Kerala’s traditional performing arts teetered on the edge of oblivion. In a historic move, Padmabhooshan Vallathol Narayana Menon, a revered nationalist poet and fervent patron of the arts, embarked on a monumental endeavor: the creation of an institution dedicated to preserving Kerala’s rich artistic heritage. Thus, Kerala Kalamandalam was born. The birth of Kerala Kalamandalam marked a watershed moment, democratizing access to the traditional arts of the state for all, irrespective of caste, community, language, or religion. No longer be a dependent to feudal landlords and aristocracy for patronage, artists liberated themselves from the shackles of oppression and indignity. Instead, they embraced self-reliance, confidence, and a newfound sense of pride. At the heart of these traditional performing arts lies the essence of tranquility, evoking harmony in the hearts of both practitioners and spectators alike.
Since its inception, Kalamandalam has stood as India’s premier institute dedicated to the preservation and promotion of traditional art forms and remains at the forefront of nurturing and safeguarding the cultural heritage. Kalamandalam is recognized by the University Grants Commission, the apex body for higher education in India.
Rigorous and Comprehensive Training
Expert Instruction: Students receive rigorous training from highly skilled and experienced instructors who are masters of their craft.
Holistic Approach: The curriculum integrates practical training with theoretical knowledge, ensuring a well-rounded education in the arts. Through rigorous and deep physical training, Kalamandalam embrace the unique identity of every student, nurturing their innate potential to blossom into creative, imaginative artists.
INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION AND INFLUENCE
Global Reach: Kerala Kalamandalam has earned an international reputation, attracting theatre makers and scholars from around the world.
Influential Alumni and Visitors: Esteemed figures like Eugenio Barba, Jerzy Grotowski, and Peter Brook have trained here, underscoring its global influence.
PHILOSOPHY OF TRAINING
Specialized Techniques: Kalamandalam’s training philosophy offers holistic education, equipping students with practical skills and knowledge systems to meet material needs while fostering social and moral responsibility.
The institution is renowned for its unique body training systems, which are integral to the traditional art forms it teaches.
Innovative Practices: These training systems are studied and adopted by international practitioners, showcasing their universal appeal and effectiveness.
INTERDISCIPLINARY AND FRONTIER AREAS
Diverse Programs: Offers a wide range of programs in Performing Arts, Modern Theatre, Humanities, and other frontier areas, catering to a variety of academic and artistic interests.
Customized Learning: Flexibility to design specialized courses that meet the specific needs of students and their home institutions.
ACADEMIC, CULTURAL, AND FINANCIAL BENEFITS
Comprehensive Experience: Students gain an immersive experience that is academically enriching, culturally profound, and financially advantageous.
Credit Transfer: The ability to transfer credits to home universities ensures academic continuity and recognition of the education received.
STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES
Traditional and Modern Spaces: Combines traditionally crafted practice spaces with modern performance venues, offering an authentic yet contemporary learning environment.
Resourceful Library: A well-stocked library provides students with extensive resources for study and research.
CULTURAL IMMERSION
Engagement with Local Traditions: Direct access to local festivals, cultural practices, and performances offers students a deep dive into Kerala’s vibrant cultural scene.
Live Performances: With over 200 live performances annually, students gain extensive practical exposure and experience.
THE ART THAT EMBODIES HERITAGE AND NURTURES SOCIETY
Art is deeply intertwined with the region’s rich cultural heritage, serving as a vibrant expression of its history, traditions, and identity.Kerala boasts a rich tradition of classical art-forms. Art embodies heritage in Kerala Kalamandalam through its preservation and perpetuation of classical art forms, such as Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Kutiyattam, and Thullal. These highly stylized performance arts, with their elaborate costumes, intricate makeup, and expressive gestures, have been preserved. Kerala Kalamandalam stands as a custodian of the artistic heritage, preserving and perpetuating classical art-forms. They serve as repositories of ancient myths, religious stories, and cultural practices, embodying the essence of the artistic heritage, encapsulating centuries-old traditions, mythologies, and rituals. Through rigorous training, research, and performance, Kalamandalam safeguards and celebrates the heritage, ensuring its transmission to future generations. Within the walls of Kerala Kalamandalam, these traditions are not merely taught but lived, breathed, and passed down through generations of dedicated artist-practitioners.
Kerala Kalamandalam epitomizes the interconnectedness of heritage, art, and society. As a venerable institution, it embodies the cultural legacy, fosters artistic excellence, and fosters social cohesion, ensuring that Kerala’s classical arts continue to thrive as vibrant expressions of its rich cultural heritage. Art flourishes within the halls of Kerala Kalamandalam, where aspiring artist-students immerse themselves in the intricacies of classical art-forms under the guidance of master practitioners. Through disciplined practice, students hone their skills in music, dance, drama, and other artistic disciplines, breathing life into the cultural legacy. Kalamandalam serves as a crucible of artistic innovation, where tradition intersects with contemporary sensibilities, fostering creativity and experimentation while upholding the authenticity of Kerala’s classical arts.
Kerala Kalamandalam plays a pivotal role in shaping the society by nurturing a community of artists, scholars, and patrons dedicated to the preservation and promotion of classical arts. Its graduates contribute to the cultural landscape as performers, teachers, researchers, and cultural ambassadors, enriching society with their artistic talents and insights. Moreover, Kalamandalam serves as a cultural hub that fosters social cohesion and pride, bringing people together to celebrate artistic heritage and collective identity.
Thus, Kalamandalam serves as a cornerstone of cultural heritage, encompassing diverse forms of expression that reflect the region’s rich tapestry of culture, history, and creativity. By preserving, promoting, and celebrating the artistic heritage, Kerala Kalamandalam honors the past, enriches the present, and inspires future generations to cherish and perpetuate the legacy of their ancestors.