Vijnana Kala Vedi Cultural Centre

Vijnana Kala Vedi Cultural Centre, Aranmula

Vijnana Kala Vedi Cultural Centre, Aranmula, established in 1977, is one of the pioneering institutes that attempts at preserving the ancient Indian Culture. Inaugurated by a French artist, Louba Schild, the main objective of this organization is to impart aesthetic sense amongst the Indian populace.

Learn and Teach at the same time in India. Learn Indian Arts, Crafts, Languages and teach English to poor village children and thereby have a genuine Experience of India, her Culture, her People and her Traditions, all in the beautiful back drop of a village at the Vijnana Kala Vedi Cultural Centre.
At the Centre, you can learn, for short or long term as you wish, two subjects, chosen from a list of 18 subjects ranging from Music, Dance, Theatre, Crafts, Languages like Sanskrit, Hindi and Malayalam to Yoga, Martial Art and even Cooking. Most of the lessons are one to one and hence you can make maximum use of your stay.

You will have single accommodation and freshly prepared Kerala vegetarian food provided in the Centre.
The setting of Village adds to the charm of the centre. Vijnana Kala Vedi centre has been introducing Indian and Foreign visitors into Indian arts, crafts and languages since 1977. The centre is the only private organization in Kerala described as a Cultural Educational Institution by the Government of Kerala.
Centre receives students from around the world since 1977 and is also an excellent place to make good friends with people around the world. As our students say, centre mostly attracts only nice people and you will have lots of nice friends in the centre.

Natana Kairali Research & Performing Centre

Natana Kairali Research & Performing Centre for Traditional Arts, Thrissur

Conceived with the idea of preserving and popularizing the various traditional art forms of Kerala that were on the verge of decline, the Natana Kairali Research & Performing Centre for Traditional Arts was set up in Thrissur by Gopal Venu. Over the years, this cultural center of Kerala has contributed immensely to the growth and development of diverse art forms that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the land.

In fact the Natana Kairali Research & Performing Centre for Traditional Arts, Thrissur has imparted a new lease of life to some of the art forms. They are credited with taking the initiative of reviving these disappearing art forms.

It is indeed commendable that a lot of research work has been undertaken along with providing training to the young art students at the Natana Kairali Research & Performing Centre for Traditional Arts, Thrissur. This helps the students to know more about the traditional art forms of Kerala. The teachers themselves put up performances to enable these youngsters with potential to learn better. Workshops are also organized for their benefit.

The personal level of interaction that is seen between the teachers and the students is a rarity in any other art institution. All kinds of artistic and educational activities are encouraged and promoted at the Natana Kairali Research & Performing Centre for Traditional Arts, Thrissur.

Koodiyattam, a form of Sanskrit theatre, Nangiar Koothu, yet another form of Sanskrit drama, puppetry shows Pavakathakali and Tolpavakuttu have all been nurtured and revitalized at the Natana Kairali Research & Performing Centre for Traditional Arts, Thrissur.

The founder director of this Kerala cultural center is himself trained in Koodiyattam and has contributed immensely to its development. Works of Kalidasa have been staged over and over again at the Natana Kairali Research & Performing Centre in Irinjalakuda. These eclectic performances have received world wide praise and appreciation.

An annual festival is held in the month of January at the Natana Kairali Research & Performing Centre for Traditional Arts, Thrissur and this gives the visitors a chance to witness programmes put up by the talented artistes. They also have the privilege of participating in short appreciation courses.

Endeavors like the Natana Kairali Research & Performing Centre in Thrissur, Kerala are indeed admirable.

Kerala Kathakali Centre

Kerala Kathakali Centre, Fort Cochin

Dance Drama has been an integral part of Indian Culture and Kathakali is one such dance form. As a folk dance form, Kathakali has its roots in rural Kerala and the Kerala Kathakali Centre has been set up to popularize this dance form.

Deeply rooted in the Indian Mythology, Kathakali combines literature, acting, music, painting and dance. Kalamandalam in Kerala is one such organization that has devoted itself to the enrichment of the Indian Culture.

Eminent artists, who have attained glory, have collaborated together and facilitated the formation of the Kerala Kathakali Centre. Famous Cultural personalities like Pattikkamthodi Racunni Menon, Guru Kunchukkurup and Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair have been associated with the institution at different times.

The Fort Cochin Kathakali Centre, located at the Cochin Aquatic Club on River Road, is one of the most reputed cultural centres. There are regular cultural performances that span the whole night and end at early dawn. Stories enacted from the epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata invigorates the artistically inclined.

The elaborate mask and make-up of the Kathakali dancers are things to marvel at. The characters that the dancers perform come to life on stage or the temple courtyards. Generally the Kings have a bright green or blue face and women have a yellow face.

The faces of dancer portraying evil characters are painted red to indicate their foul nature. The tribal population or characters from the lower rung of society are indicated by black faced masks.

The Kathakali Centre in Fort Cochin imparts in younger hearts a love for traditional India. Enacting roles from the epics makes them aware of our rich literary heritage, and throws light on the ancient Indian customs.

The rigorous training period is rewarded by a chance for every trainee to perform live on stage. This is an experience that every student eagerly waits for.

In Kathakali, two singers accompany the dancers vocally, and numerous instruments like Percussion Instruments, Cymbals and Drums provide accompaniment to keep the rhythm or Taala.

Indicating the victory of good over evil, the traditional Kathakali dance beings in the evening and continues nightlong. Men are supposed to stress on the theme of the termination of evil in the dance drama. Gaining insight from the Kathakali, they can imbibe these lessons to their daily lives.

Kerala Kalamandalam

Kerala Kalamandalam, Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur

The cradle of Kathakali training in India, Kerala Kalamandalam is located on the banks of Kerala’s longest river, the Bharathapuzha in Cheruthuruthy. The state’s flagship training school for Kathakali dance drama and other indigenous performing arts of Kerala, Kalamandalam was founded in 1927 AD by the revered poet Vallathol

Significance

Present

Kalamandalam is undoubtedly 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

Prime Attractions of Thrissur (Trichur)

Guruvayoor Temple

29 km northwest of Thrissur, Guruvayoor, where the famous Sree Krishan Temple is situated, is one of the most sacred and important pilgrim centres of Kerala. The historic temple is shrouded in mystery. According to belief, the temple was created by ‘Guru’- the preceptor of the gods and ‘Vayu’- the God of winds.

CVN Kalari Sangham

CVN Kalari Sangham, Thiruvananthapuram

The CVN Kalari Sangham in Thiruvananthapuram is located close to the East Fort, which is a few minutes of walking distance from the central bus station. This center of excellence was built in 1956 as a result of the constant commitment and efforts of C V Narayanan Nair, Kottackal Karunakara Gurukkal and C V Balan Nair. It was due to the efforts of this trio that the dying art of Kalarippayattu (traditional martial art of Kerala) was revived once again. These people popularized the art by way of demonstrations, collecting necessary information and setting up Kalaries throughout the State.

To reach CVN Kalari Sangham, overseas travelers can use Thiruvananthapuram International Airport which is at a distance of about 6 km. People preferring journey by train may use the nearest rail station of Thiruvananthapuram Central, at about 1.5 km away.

CVN Kalari Sangham has carved a niche for itself in preserving Kalarippayattu, an invaluable part of Kerala’s heritage. Kalarippayattu has derived its name from Kalari (training center very similar to that of gymnasium) and Payattu (duel). So, Kalarippayattu indicates martial expertise which people learn in a ring or in a training centre.

It is believed that Kalarippayattu is the origin of all martial art forms of the world. This form of hand-to-hand armed combat in closed quarters is an exclusive characteristic of this state. The art form of Kalarippayattu is a magical blend of physical dexterity, attitude, techniques of martial art and native medical system.

The CVN Kalari is constructed 4 feet beneath ground level facing an east-west direction. Except for the tiny door on the eastern face, it is closed on all the sides.

Such architecture is very suitable for the humid weather of Kerala. Inside the Kalari, it is pretty dark and the only light that is there comes from the traditional wick lanterns.

In CVN Kalari Sangham, visitors will find idols of some deities where devotional rituals are performed before the beginning of every training session to obtain divine blessings. Apart from the main idol of Kalari Paradevata, visitors will find idols of Bhadrakaali, Ganapathi and Naga. The rituals of worship form an integral element of the Kalari tradition.

At CVN Kalari, Kalari Chikitsa also called Kalari treatment is another interesting thing to see. This is a total system of medicine to heal ailments as well as to develop the flexibility of the body.

At CVN Kalari, Kalari Chikitsa also called Kalari treatment is another interesting thing to see. This is a total system of medicine to heal ailments as well as to develop the flexibility of the body. So, it goes without saying that you should certainly visit CVN Kalari Sangham, Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala on your next visit. It would be an experience worth remembering for a long time to come.

Chavara Cultural Centre

Chavara Cultural Centre, Kochi

Established in 1971, by the Congregation of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate. Chavara Cultural Centre-Kochi, a voluntary, non-sectarian, non political institution for study and service, is devoted to the synthesis and development of art and culture and promotion of faith in God and human brotherhood. This organization has always been in the forefront, organizing programs to prepare the youth to face the challenges of life boldly. The Centre has been named after the great missionary Blessed Cyriac Elias Chavara, the founder of C.M.I. Congregation.

Chavara Cultural Centre is run under the supervision of CMI congregation of priests who manage over 1200 educational institutions all over India, including medical colleges,  engineering colleges, management schools, nursing schools, B.Ed colleges, and professional colleges.  Prestigious colleges like Christ College Bangalore,  S.H.College Thevara Kochi, Rajagiri Institutions Kalamasserry,  St. Josephs College Devagiri Kozhikode and institutions like Amala Cancer Research Centre,  Trissur are a few examples. CMI managed social institutions, non-formal education centre’s and cultural centre’s number over 500.

Since Art and Culture constitutes the main feature of Indian Heritage, its maintenance and promotion is vital. This necessity conduced in the formation of a secular institution where people irrespective of caste, class and creed may add another feather to the glowing coronet of Indian Culture.

Chavara Cultural Centre is one such organization with a sole aim of motivating people towards cultural and artistic activities. Youth is the primeval time to inculcate ideas of creativity that would be fruitful henceforth. Chavara Cultural Centre in Kochi realizes the role of youth and encourages them into various functions and cultural programs.