Kerala Kalamandalam

About Kerala Kalamandalam

Kerala Kalamandalam is located at Cheruthuruthy,32 km north of Thrissur district, Kerala.Its Founded in 1930 by renowned poet Padmabhooshan Vallathol Narayana Menon along the banks of the river Nila in the Cheruthuruthy. 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.Kalamandalam is undoubtedly the best institution in India imparting training and conducting performance of Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Panchavadyam and Thullal. Beside the regular courses, Kalamandalam also offers crash courses in different art disciplines.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).Kalamandalam is strictly a residential center of learning. Veteran teachers and talented students are its inestimable wealth. For art-recitals held in Kalamandalam and outside, artiste-teachers and students participate. The motto of the University is to design a strong system of art education in the traditional way imbibing the spirit of enlightenment of the new age. Besides offering traditional courses in Arts and Culture the university also started offering courses in cultural studies, cultural journalism, multimedia, mass communication, women studies, documentation etc.

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.The Kerala Kalamandalam has been functioning as a grant-in-aid institution under the Cultural Affairs Department, Government of Kerala. The ancient gurukula system of education continues to be a living tradition in this school, which has, over the years, become a significant milestone in the cultural history of Kerala. Besides the regular, long term, intensive courses leading to professional expertise at its best, Kalamandalam has facilities to provide, on request, short term, personalized courses.

Interesting things to Visit

Parthasarthy Temple Adoor:

Seek the divine at Parthasarthy temple in Adoor Kerala, India and find yourself in the middle of a temple building brimming with enchanting architectural friezes and sculptural treasures.The Parthasarthy Temple in Adoor, Kerala India comes to life during the annual Gajamela, a traditional elephant festival that draws crowds from the near by areas. See caparisoned elephants march in rhythm with the cultural fiesta held at the Parthasarthy Temple every year. Kovalam holidays.

Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple:

Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple is one of the largest Krishna temples in Kerala. Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna temple is located in Thrissur in Kerala, South India and is considered to be over a 1000 years old.

Thumpurmuzhi gardens:

Thumpurmuzhi gardens are located amidst the two water theme parks. The water from the river is redirected to deep tanks at Thumpurmuzhi, creating a waterfall like impact. The gardens are well maintained and have scenic surroundings.

Koodiyattam:

Koodiyattam is a tranditional Sanskrit theatre, which was performed only in the temples since the past two thousand years, till Painkulam Rama Chakyar, a professor at hte institute, brought the art to Kalamandalam and was made public for learning in 1965 to anyone interested in the art.

Nearest Visiting places

Lourdes Cathedral:

Thrissur district was under the control of Dutch and British invaders. During their period they had created several beautiful churches, an example is the Lourdes Cathedral. The exterior features an Indo-European facade with pink spires. The Centenary of Our Lady of Lourdes was celebrated during the historic visit of Pope John Paul II to Thrissur in 1986.

Archaeological Museum:

The archaeological and art museum at Thrissur has a good collection of wood carvings, metal sculptures and ancient jewelers. Located near the Zoo, at a distance of 2 km from the Thrissur town, this museum is a treasure trove of various Veerakallu, temple models, olagrandhangal , megaliths like earthen pots and urns etc.

Peechi Dam:

Quite near to Thrissur, there is an irrigation project site ‘Peechi Dam’, which is a well-known picnic spot. There are also boating facilities at the reservoir, and this place is easily accessible by road from Thrissur, as there are frequent private buses from Thrissur.

The Zoo:

2 kms from Thrissur town, is the zoo, which is a wonderful place for animal enthusiasts. Within the 13.5 acres of compound, a variety of fauna like the lion tailed macaque, Sloth bear, various species of birds, deer etc. The snake park has a reptilian collection of King Cobra, Kraits, Vipers and rat snakes.

Shakthan Thampuran Palace:

One of the landmarks of historical Perumpadappu Swaroopam, the Palace of Shakthan Thampuran in Thrissur is a major tourist attraction, especially for the One of the landmarks of historical Perumpadappu Swaroopam, the Palace of Shakthan Thampuran in Thrissur is a major tourist attraction, especially for the tourists having special interest on history.

Heritage Garden:

Heritage Garden is located in the heart of the city, just on the southern side of Shakthan Thampuran Palace. The heritage garden is established recently to preserve and exhibit valuable Heritage Garden is located in the heart of the city, just on the southern side of Shakthan Thampuran Palace. The heritage garden is established recently to preserve and exhibit valuable indigenous trees and flora of Kerala.

Its a good place to visit for exploring the rare species of flora grown in mountain ranges of Kerala. The plants and trees preserved here include many varieties which come under the protected list.

Help Line/Phone Number

Police Station:

Ayyanthole Police Station
Thrissur, Thrissur, Kerala
Get Directions
0487 2363608

Police Station
SH 22, Irinjalakuda, Thrissur, Kerala

Chalakudi Police Station
Chalakudi, Thrissur, Kerala

Nearest Hospital:

Punarnava Ayurveda Hospital Pvt. Ltd.

Ayurvedamonline.com
Irinjalakuda,, Thrissur
Kerala 680121- 0480 2833859
Category: ayurveda hospitals.

Punarnava Ayurveda Hospital.
Thrissut, kerala

Society/Community Phone Number

Kerala Kalamandalam
Deemed University for Art and Culture
Cheruthuruthy – 679 531 via Thrissur, Kerala, India
Telephone: 91+ 4884 262418, 262526, Fax: 91- 4884 - 262019

www.kalamandalam.org
Email: info@kalamandalam.org

Location info

• Address: Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur District, Kerala, India

• District: Thrissur District

• Nearest City: Kochi, Irinjalakuda, Kodungallur and Chalakudy.

• Best time to visit:

Things to do at Kerala Kalamandalam

Watch the Koothambalam which is the traditional dance theatre at Kalamandalam, Courses like cultural studies, cultural journalism, multimedia, mass communication, women studies, documentation etc.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Kerala. 4G is reliable in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and along the coastal belt. Coverage may be weaker in remote sections of the Western Ghats, deep forest reserves, and certain backwater stretches. Most hotels, houseboats, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Kerala cuisine — fish curry, appam with stew, puttu, and Kerala sadhya — is widely available and famously delicious.

Hotels & accommodation nearby

Accommodation is available in the nearest town or city. Options range from homestays to luxury resorts. Kerala’s homestay network is excellent and offers authentic local experiences.

Climate & weather

Kerala has a tropical monsoon climate with warm, humid conditions year-round. The best time to visit is November to February, when temperatures are a pleasant 22°C–30°C with low humidity and clear skies. March–May is hot and humid (up to 36°C). The southwest monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rainfall — the landscape transforms into lush green and this is the best time for Ayurvedic treatments. The northeast monsoon (October–November) brings shorter showers. Hill stations (Munnar, Wayanad) remain cooler year-round.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road — check locally for the closest option.