Kerala Kalamandalam is the premiere public institution in India imparting training in and conducting performances of the classical arts of Kerala viz. Kathakali, Koodiyattam, Mohiniyaattam, Thullal and Panchavaadyam. Founded in 1930 by renowned poet Padmabhooshan Vallathol Narayana Menon along the banks of the river Nila in the Cheruthuruthy village of Thrissur District, Kalamandalam is an immortal name in the cultural map of the world. Training in art-disciplines at Kalamandalam essentially adheres to the ancient Gurukula sambradaaya (The traditional mode of education which calls for a deep bond between the teacher and the student). 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. Kalamandalam Kathakali, Koodiyattam, Mohiniyaatam and Thullal Troupes have traveled widely in India and abroad for programs, lecture-demonstrations and workshops. They have represented India in many an international dance and theater festival.

Kerala Kalamandalam has been functioning as a grant-in-aid institution under the Cultural Affairs Department, Government of Kerala. For special Projects, the Department of Culture, Government of India, and the Sangeet Natak Akademy, New Delhi, have been extending financial support. For the preservation and promotion of Koodiyattam, UNESCO has sanctioned substantial financial assistance to Kalamandalam in 2004. The South Zone Cultural Center, Thanjavur, has, for years, been extending financial assistance to Kalamandalam for conducting dance & music festival in this campus. Being a regular event, the festival held every year attracts hundreds of rasikaas.

Since the historic encounter between the noble laureate Rabindranatha Tagore and vallathole at Santinikethan, Culcutta, the latter nurtured dreams of converting Kalamandalam in to a world renowned University for art and culture. Together with his close associate, Manakkulam Mudhuntha Raja, Vallathole made pioneering efforts for the multifaced development of Kalamandalam with its recently achieved status of a deemed university, Kerala Kalamandalam has fulfilled the of long cherished dream of its founder.

Location

Kerala Kalamandalam is situated along the Thrissur-Shoranur Highway, From Thrissur town, Kalamandalam is 32 KMs to the North. SHORANUR JUNCTION, a major Railway-station is only three KMs away from Kalamandalam. From Kochi/Eranakulam, the distance to Kalamandalam is only 110 KMs to the North. Kalamandalam is 330 KMs to the north of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala’s international airport at Nedumbassery is only 85 KMs away from Kalamandalam  along the Thrissur-  Eranakulam  National
 Highway - 47.