Location
: Cheruthuruthy, 32 km north of Thrissur.
One of the most revered places for the traditional art forms of Kerala, the
Kalamandalam is the cradle of Kathakali 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 allathol 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.
Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Shornur, about 10 km.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 90 km.
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