ക്വട്ടേഷൻ നോട്ടീസ് (wood )
Kerala Kalamandalam is the premiere public institution in the country for the preservation and promotion of Kerala’s traditional performing arts. Since its inception, it has been a beehive of activities attracting artists, art-scholars, historians, theatre-artists/directors, choreographers and art-lovers from all over the world.
The institution was Founded in 1930 by renowned poet PadmabhooshanVallathol Narayana Menon and his close associate Manakkulam Mukundaraja, under the patronage of Kakkad Karanavappad. At the beginning it was exclusively a training centre for Kathakali. Its first venue was Madappattil, the residence of the above patron, at Kunnamkulam near Thrissur. Shortly afterwards it moved to Srinivasam Bungalow of Mukundaraja at Ambalapuram. In 1936, Kalamandalam was relocated to its own plot and building on the banks of the river Bharathapuzha in Cheruthuruthy village of Thrissur District. The well-organized, systematic and disciplined methodology followed in training as well as performances under the tutorship of great gurus, brought world-wide fame and recognition to the institution. The name Kalamandalam came to be recognized the world over and registered on the international cultural map as a symbol of excellence. Kalamandalam is strictly a residential institution imparting training in various performance disciplines such as Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Thullal, Kutiyattam (Male and female), Panchavadyam, Carnatic Music, Mridangam, etc. The training system essentially adheres to the ancient Gurukula Sampradaya, which is the traditional mode of education that emphasizes a deep bond between the teacher and the student. Veteran teachers, talented students and art lovers are its inestimable wealth.
In 1975, Kalamandalam started functioning as a grant-in-aid educational institution under the Societies Registration Act of 1955. In 1990, along with training in various performance disciplines formal schooling, beginning with the 8th grade was introduced.
Mahakavi Vallathol Narayana Menon
Sri Vallathol born to an aristocratic family. From a very early age he expressed an interest for the classical art forms kathakali and mohiniyattam. His father Kadungottu Mallisheri Damodaran Ilayathu, was almost fanatical interests in arts especially kathakali and mohiniyattam. Sri Damodaran formed several kathakali and mohiniyattam troupes and traveled with them to various villages in Kerala. During such journeys, he also took his son with him. Thus at a very early age Sri Vallathol learned to appreciate the esoteric kathakali mudras (hand gestures) music, rhythm etc, coached by his father. Vallathol’s sustained interest in kathakali inspired him to produce a magazine ‘Atmaposhini’ which discussed the subject in detail. During this period he met with Sri Manakkulam Mukunda Raja and Sri Kunjunni Thamburan, which led to a long lasting relationships. Mahakavi Sri Vallathol was a man of several faculties. Besides being an art conneussieur, he was also a remarkable poet.
Manakkulam Mukundaraja
Sri Mukundaraja a member of the royal manakkulam tharavadu(family), was an art enthusiast and a noble soul above all. By the early 1900s kathakali and mohiniyattam troupes began to be disbanded by the feudal landlords. Consequently the artists also began to disappear from the cultural scenario. This worried Vallathol very much and he with the help and support of Manakkulam Mukunda Raja and Sri Kunjunni Thamburan, founded Kerala kalamandalam in 1930. Shri Mukunda Raja was not a fanatical art enthusiast or belong to the literati. He channelled his passion into making kalamandalam a reality. Had it not been for Sri Mukunda Raja, Vallathol’s dream may have never materialized.
Kunjunni Thamburan (Kakkad Karanavappad)
Kunjunni Thamburan or Kakkad Karanavappad as he was titled in those days, the uncle of Mukundaraja also hailed from the Manakkulam family. He was an avid art connoisseur, as well as a well-wisher of Vallathol. Mahakavi Vallathol and Kunjunni Thamburan were introduced to each other through Mukundaraja. Kunjunni Thamburan was very supportive of Vallathol’s desire to set up Kalamandalam. He offered his own family home as the venue of Kerala Kalamandalam in its early days.
In 1930, Kalamandalam came into existence at the Manakkulam Palace under the patronage of Kunjunni Thamburan. The teachers and students were provided free accommodation and food at the palace. Thamburan was also an artist himself. He could play the Veena. Kalamandalam was inaugurated with a musical session where the Thamburan played the veena for a few minutes. Thamburan donated all of his private collection of Koppus (Kathakali costumes) to Kalamandalam, and they continue to be preserved to this day, at Kalamandalam’s costume gallery.