Kerala Kala Mandalam - Location : Cheruthuruthy, in Thrissur District
One of the most revered places for the traditional art forms of
Kerala, the Kalamandalam is the cradle of training in India. This
temple of arts has preserved and propagated Kathakali - the classical
dance-drama of Kerala - for the past 78 years. Many of the internationally
renowned artistes of Kerala and India have been trained here.
The Kalamandalam and its surroundings reflect the simple, pure and
ethnic atmosphere in which these arts have survived for centuries.
The Koothambalam - the traditional dance theatre - at Kalamandalam
is the only one in the State which is built outside a temple complex.
Constructed according to vikrushtra madhya, one of the three natya
grihas (theatres) specified in sage Bharatha's Natyasasthra - a treatise
on art compiled in the 2nd century B.C, the theatre is 14.62 m long
and 7.31m wide and has four wooden pillars supporting it. It has three
main parts - the aniyara (green room), the rangam (stage) - the space
on front and side of it meant for the audience, and the mridanga-patha
(where the drum is kept).
The Kerala Kalamandalam was established by Vallathol Narayana Menon,
the renowned Malayalam poet. It was at a time when the popularity
of Kathakali was on the wane. English education had been introduced
and only a few upper class families in the State held the key to the
art form. Realising the need to keep the art alive, the poet along
with a few royal Kathakali enthusiasts like M. Mukundaraja and Kunjikuttan
Thampuran, took over the revival and popularisation programme. They
arranged performances by eminent artistes across the State and even
raised funds through lotteries.
Over the years this unique institution has imparted training for
Kathakali, Mohiniyattom, Kootiyattam, Panchavadyam, Thullal etc -
following the ancient gurukula system of education.
For more details contact Kerala Kalamandalam, Vallathol Nagar, Cheruthuruthy,
Thrissur, Kerala - 679531, India. Phone: 91- 0488- 2462418.
Kerala Kala Mandalam - Getting there:
Kerala Kala Mandalam - Nearest railway station: Shornur, about 10
km.
Kerala Kala Mandalam - Nearest airport : Cochin International Airport,
about 90 km.
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