In April-May every year Kalamandalam notifies in the leading Malayalam newspapers details of admission to students in

the various courses offered here. Every year we receive hundreds of applications from young aspirants for admission to
different courses. Eligible applicants will be requested to appear for written test at Kalamandalam by the end of May. All
those who secure reasonable marks in the test will have to appear for an interview. The interview - board will judge the
aptitude of each applicant and would consider previous training if any he / she has in the art-discipline concerned.
Applicants belonging to families practising traditional arts have a relative advantage. For the disciplines of acting /
dancing, sense of rhythm, physical appearance and histrionic taste are the criteria for selection. For vocalists and
percussionists, sense of rhythm, voice-culture and previous training are the most desirable qualities for selection.
Students admitted to various courses have to join the A.H.S.L.C. (Art High School Leaving Certificate Course). The
upper-age limit for admission is thirteen. Each student is allowed to choose only one art-discipline for intensive training.
Together with theoretical and practical training in the performing art concerned he / she has to learn scholastic subjects in
the school. Those who pass the three-year A.H.S.L.C. Course can join the Plus Two Course and then for the B.A. Degree
in Performing Arts. Kalamandalam introduced High School education for its students in 1990. The new system
harmonized academic-study and training in performing arts. Till then all the students who joined for regular courses were
awarded Diploma and Post Diploma. Post graduate program in performing arts started in 2007. Initially, Kathakali,
Kutiyattam and Mohiniyattam were the faculties in which post-graduate courses came in to being. In 2013, three more art
disciplines viz. Kathakali Chenda, Karnatic Music and Mohiniyattam were added to the Course. Selection to M.A.
Degree Course in Kathakali, Kutiyattam, Mohiniyattam, Kathakali Chenda, Karnatic Music and Mridangam is strictly
based on merit. Kalamandalam offers M.phil and PhD programs in various subjects. Details of the Course can be had
from the office.
Gurukulam

The challenge before the infant University is to harmonize the traditional Gurukulasampradaya with the modern
pedagogy. Classes start in the kalaries at 4.30 in the morning and continue till evening. All the students stay within the
campus as this is strictly a residential University. The Kalari-training focuses on physical exercise, body massage,
recapitulation and repetition of lessons learned. Teacher-disciple relation here is informal, warm and exemplary.

While physical disciplining of the body and the limbs is a pre-requisite to students of acting / dancing, the current
pedagogy aims at imparting theoretical knowledge of art forms too for inculcating a spirit of inquiry among them.
Kalamandalam has seriously undertaken this task as well.

Research is yet to be a vital area in the sphere of classical arts. The materials for study / research we have so far are
mostly eulogies / hagiography on artists by their admirers. Scientific evaluation and aesthetic interpretations are rare. Art
criticism is hence in a degenerated state. The university has therefore begun programs for research and higher studies in
the field of performing arts. Cultural studies, Performance studies, Mass Communication, Womens studies and
documentary film-productions are being incorporated as part of the doctoral programs at Kalamandalam.

The motto of the University is to design a sound system of art education in the traditional way imbibing the spirit of
enlightenment of the new age.
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Training in
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Kerala Kalamandalam
Deemed University for Art and Culture
Cheruthuruthy 679 531 via Thrissur, Kerala, India
Telephone: 91+ 4884 262418, 262562, Fax: 91- 4884 - 262019

www.kalamandalam.org
Email: info@kalamandalam.org

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