Home

Kalamandalam, Founded in 1930 by renowned poet Padmabhooshan Vallathol Narayana Menon and his close associate Manakkulam Mukundaraja, under the patronage of Kakkad Karanavappad.

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.