Kerala Kalamandalam gets deemed univ status

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 19: Kerala Kalamandalam, a distinguished centre of excellence in performing arts, has been accorded the status of a deemed university by the Centre.

Now, it will be known as 'Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed Cultural University', Cultural Affairs Minister A P Anil Kumar said in a statement here today.

It would be the first deemed university in Kerala, the Minister said.

He said the formalities for the formation of the university as per the guidelines of the University Grants Commission would be taken up with the permission the Election Commission.

Established in 1930, the campus lies near the majestic River Nila in the village of Cheruthuruthy in Thrissur district. The ancient Gurukula system of education continues to be a living tradition in this school which has over the years become a significant milestone in the cultural history of Kerala.

Kalamandalam is widely known as the best institution in India imparting training and conducting performance of Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Panchavadyam and Thullal. Beside the regular courses, Kalamandalam also offers crash courses in different art disciplines.

Official sources said the basic aim of all these crash courses is to help theatre artists, classical and contemporary dancers, researchers art historians and scholars from the East and the West who come to this land to familiarise themselves with the performing art forms.

UNI