The inception of Kalamandalam gave a second life to three major classical performing arts of
Kerala as
Kathakali,
Kudiyattam
and Mohiniyattam were, by the turn of 20th century, facing the threat
of extinction under various regulations of the colonial authorities.
[1] It was at this juncture, in 1927, that
Vallathol Narayana Menon
and Mukunda Raja came forward and formed a society called Kerala
Kalamandalam. They solicited donations from the public and conducted a
lottery in order to raise funds for this society.
[2] Kerala Kalamandalam was inaugurated in November 1930 at
Kunnamkulam, and was later shifted to the village of
Cheruthuruthy, just south of
Shoranur in 1933. The
Maharaja of Cochin donated land and a building. Subsequently, a dance department was started to revive Mohiniyattom.
[3] Kerala Kalamandalam has been functioning as a grant-in-aid institution under the Cultural Affairs Department,
Government of Kerala. In 2006, the Kalamandalam was accorded the status of 'Deemed University for Art and Culture' by the
Government of India. In 2010,
University Grants Commission (India)
has given 'A' category status for Kalamandalam Deemed University of Art
and Culture. Kalamandalam is the only deemed university in
Kerala state accorded the prestigious status.
[4]
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