Kerala Kalamandalam, Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur- Kerala

Kerala Kala Mandalam at Cheruthuruthy, situated 32 Km North of Thrissur is one of the most revered places for traditional art forms of Kerala. It is about 90 Km from Cochin International Airport and 10 Km from Shornur Railway station. The Kalamandalam was established by a renowned Malayalam poet Vallathol Narayana Menon when Kathakali was steadily losing its popularity. Realizing the need to keep the art alive he took the onus on himself to revive and popularize this form of art. In his efforts he got help from few royal Kathakali enthusiasts like M. Mukundaraja and Kunjikuttan Thampuran. These people took great pains to revive this art form by arranging the performance by the renowned performers throughout the state and successfully arrange the finances as well.

Over the years Kerala Kalamandalam at Cheruthuruthy in Thrissur District has been imparting training in its own signature style for Kathakali, Kootiyattam, Mohiniyattom, Panchavadyam, Thullal and others, by ancient gurukula system of education. The Koothambalam - the traditional dance theatre - at Kalamandalam is the only one in the State which is built outside a temple complex. Many internationally renowned artists of not only from Kerala but from across the world have been trained here.

So make sure to visit Kerala Kalamandalam on your trip to Kerala to view and understand the intricacies of this art form from renowned gurus.