Kerala
Travel ···» Monuments
in kerala ···»Cheruthuruthy (Kerala Kalamandalam)
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.
