Kerala Kalamandalam, located in Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur, Kerala, is India’s premier institution dedicated to the preservation, training, and performance of classical arts such as Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, and Koodiyattam. The campus is renowned for its unique cultural spaces like the Kuttambalam temple theatre and offers students a blend of authentic heritage ambiance with practical facilities supporting day-to-day academic and artistic pursuits.
Kerala Kalamandalam Facilities: Central Library
The central library at Kerala Kalamandalam is a vital resource hub for students and researchers interested in classical performing arts, music, and literature. The collection supports both traditional and modern methods of study, offering a tranquil environment suitable for in-depth learning and artistic exploration.
Feature | Details |
Collection Size | NA |
Subject Focus | Classical performing arts, musicology, art history, Malayalam and Sanskrit literature |
Reading Room | Available |
Audio Archive | NA |
Digital Access | NA |
Timings | NA |
Kerala Kalamandalam Facilities: Other Facilities
The campus features a range of facilities that reflect both tradition and contemporary needs of arts education, supporting training, performances, and artistic inspiration. Visitors and students alike benefit from a campus layout that integrates performance spaces, galleries, and sites of historic interest.
Kuttambalam: A traditional temple theatre built in Kerala style, central to teaching and public performances of sacred theatre forms. Known for excellent acoustics and spiritual ambiance.
Kalari Classrooms: Dedicated spaces for rigorous training in dance, music, make-up, and percussion. Typically, 10–15 kalaris in active use by various disciplines.
Art Gallery: Displays costumes, headgear, masks, and traditional jewellery used in performing arts, alongside murals and historic art pieces.
Portrait Gallery & Memorial: Includes the tomb of Vallathol Narayana Menon, the founder, offering inspiration and a sense of institutional lineage.
Campus Tour Provisions: Daily guided tours for visitors include live demonstrations, lecture-presentations, and insight into the making of Kerala’s classical arts.
Kerala Kalamandalam Facilities: Sports & Recreation
Physical fitness is fundamental to the demanding practice of classical dance and theatre. Kerala Kalamandalam encourages student well-being through cultural and recreational activities, though large-scale modern sports amenities are limited given the institution’s specialized focus.
Practice Grounds: Open spaces on campus used for yoga, warm-ups, and group rehearsals.
Boating: Local reservoir access nearby offers recreational boating, providing relaxation amid rigorous schedules.
Informal Games: Space for basic indoor or outdoor games available, supporting camaraderie and wellness.
Kerala Kalamandalam Facilities: Innovation & Research
The institution is a focal point for research, preservation, and innovation in Indian classical arts, blending traditional methodologies with emerging approaches. There is a conscious effort to archive, document, and promote new understandings of Kerala’s performance traditions.
Area | Summary |
Art Form Research | Ongoing research into Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Koodiyattam, Thullal, and related forms, emphasizing both creative practice and historical documentation. |
Workshops & Seminars | Regular workshops, public lectures, and expert sessions with Indian and international scholars and practitioners. |
Archival Projects | Collection and preservation of performance recordings, manuscripts, and rare musical instruments, though many archives are maintained manually. |
Kerala Kalamandalam Hostel Facilities
Kerala Kalamandalam provides separate hostel arrangements for male and female students, fostering a secure and community-oriented atmosphere. Accommodation is designed to cater primarily to outstation students, with daily routines structured around both academic and artistic timetables.
Separate hostels for boys and girls on campus.
Basic, functional rooms; life structured around practice, study, and campus events.
Homely environment, with simple meals served in a campus mess.
Security measures and supervision by hostel wardens.
NA: Total seat count, fees, detailed amenities.
Kerala Kalamandalam Events & Festivals
As a living centre for Indian performing arts, the campus regularly hosts festivals, seminars, and public programs, giving students, faculty, and the public unique exposure to the depth and breadth of Kerala’s cultural heritage.
Annual art festivals showcase student and faculty performances, often held in the Kuttambalam and open-air venues.
Visiting scholars and artists deliver special lecture-demonstrations and workshops.
Guided tour packages include live demonstrations, presentations, and immersive campus experiences for cultural tourists.
Special commemorative events honor historical figures like Vallathol Narayana Menon and celebrate traditional festivals linked to the performance calendar.