A Day With the Masters at Kerala Kalamandalam

A Day with  the Masters is a unique programme in Cultural Tourism initiated by the Dept. of Tourism, Govt. of Kerala in association with Kerala Kalamandalam, the world famous institution imparting training in and conducting performances of the classical art forms of Kerala -Kutiyattam, Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Ottanthullal etc. The programme enables a visitor to spend a few hours in Kalamandalam and to have a direct exposure to the masters in various art disciplines. Started in 2003, the programme has attracted many tourists and tourism promoters worldwide. In 2005 this innovative project achieved National Tourism Award and Honorable mention by the prestigious PATA Gold Awards. 

According to Dr. N.R. Gramprakash, the registrar of Kerala Kalamandalam, this cultural tour has gained momentum and recorded 446 foreign visitors during the academic year 2007-08 as against 68 foreign tourists in the introductory year.

Kerala Kalamandalam

Founded in 1930 by the great Malayalam poet and literary figure, Vallathole Narayana Menon, Kalamandalam is a prestigious institution for classical art forms of Kerala. It follows the traditional Gurukulam system of training and is a residential institution. In all these art forms, the students have to enlist for classes before the age of 13 and Kalamandalam provides a comprehensive training along with conventional academic schooling. Special Training programme is available for talented students from outside Kerala and abroad. The performing troupe consists of renowned artiste-teachers and students and has represented India in many international dance and theatre festivals.

Recently University Grants Commission recognized Kerala Kalamandalam as a Deemed University. Under this new system, the Governor of the state is the Chancellor. The Executive Board of which Vice-chancellor is the president handles the day to day administration. Dr. K.G Paulose, a scholar in Kutiyattam, is at present, the first Vice-Chancellor of the university and Dr. N.R.Gramprakash, the Registrar. Kalamandalam has now introduced integrated M.Phil / Ph.D programme and part-time three year Ph.D programme to facilitate advanced study and research about traditional performing arts of Kerala.

A Day with the Masters

'A Day with the Masters' is a pilgrimage to this most sacred temple of art, giving a exquisite  experience to the visitors, with an unique table of presentations that bring out the grandeur of the institution. Usually the tour will begin at 9.30 in the morning with a welcome-drink (tender coconut water / Tea / Coffee) and continues till 1.00pm. The main feature of this tour is the visits to the Kalaris. Kalaris are the teaching/training classes synonymous with the Gurukula system.  Ms. Ranjini, the tourism guide in the Institution, will lead you to different Kalaris and demonstrate everything with enthusiasm.

 The main Kalaris are for Kathakali, Kutiyattam Thullal, classical dances- Mohiniyattam, Bharathanatyam and Kuchipudi, Carnatic and classical music.  Experienced students from Kalamandalam will also accompany you as guides if required. On the latter part of the tour, one or two Gurus (masters) may also join the tour to interact with the visitors. Visitors are allowed to take photographs without disturbing the training classes.

 An audio-visual presentation – Saga of Kalamandalam; a presentation and visit to the Koothambalam – the traditional temple theatre;  a visit and exposition of 10-15 Kalaris (teaching classes) – Classical dances – Mohiniyattam, Bharathanatyam and Kuchipudi; Kathakali - Vesham(acting), Make-up, Vocal music, Cholliyattam; Koodiyattam, Percussion instruments – Chenda, Maddalam, Mizhavu, Thimila and Mridangam, Karnatic classical Music, Thullal etc.; a presentation on Kerala Mural Painting; 'Nrittyolpathi'- the origin of Dance; a visit to the Art gallery, to see costumes, head-gears, masks and jewellery; a glimpse of the old Kalamandalam Campus on the banks of Nila(2 km), Portrait-gallery and the tomb of poet laureate Vallathol Narayana Menon, founder of Kalamandalam, all are the part of this cultural tour.

 Koothambalam

Koothambalam or Natyagriha has for long been part of Kerala's temple-heritage for performing Koothu and Kutiyattam. Now only a few major temples have retained Koothambalams within their compound. Koothambalams were built in accordance with the principles laid down in the Natyasaastra( The ancient Indian dramaturgy) of sage Bharata. Built in 1976, the Kalamandalam Koothambalam has traditional architectural elegance coupled with the imaginations of a renowned architect late D. Appukkuttan Nair. The pillars of the Natyagriha are made of granite. The roof-structure, the stage-floor and its pillars are made of teak-wood and rose-wood. On the granite pillars are inscribed one hundred and eight karanas (dance-poses) dealing with the Natyasastra. There are two green-rooms behind the stage.

Art-Gallery

The Art-Gallery has neatly exhibited elegant statutes of different Kathakali characters and those of other performing arts. The statues are in fiber conceived and created by the renowned artiste Namboodiri. The outer walls of the Gallery have beautiful mural paintings by artiste Suresh and his colleagues of the Vaasthuvidya Gurukulam, Aaranmula.

Vallathol Museum and Portrait Gallery

Near the old Kalamandalam campus is Vallathol Museum. The museum showcases the poetic works, cultural contributions and achievements of Mahakavi Vallathol over a long period of time.

The main-building in the old campus is occupied by the Portrait-Gallery. Here portraits of the great artists of yore in oil painting adorn the four walls. Most of them had played commendable roles in the formative years of Kalamandalam. In the Gallery they have exhibited countless mementos and honors that Kalamandalam has received for Kathakali, Koodiyattam and Mohiniyattam recitals held in the international dance, drama and music festivals all over the world.

The cultural tour in Kalamandalam ends with a sumptuous lunch at the River Retreat heritage resort situated on the bank of River Nila. Usually the lunch will be a traditional Kerala style, served on plantain leaves and will include two non-vegetarian dishes. Special dietary-requests will be accommodated, subject to advance intimation. 

Location/Access: At Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur District, Kerala.  32km from Thrissur town towards north on Shoranur highway. Shoranur Jn. railway-station is only 3km away from Kalamandalam.

Entry details/ Contact info:  Morning at 9.30am ; No tour activity on Government holidays and other declared holidays and vacation time of the college. 

For entry / other details contact 

Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed University for Art and Culture 
Cheruthuruthy – 679 531 via Thrissur, Kerala. 
Telephone: 91+ 4884 262418, 262526,  www.kalamandalam.ac.in