Kerala Kalamandalam is a major premier public institute providing education in performing arts. It is deemed to be the University of Arts and Culture under the Government of India. The University is UGC recognized and has been ranked 18th in Kerala by University Web Ranking. The institute follows the Gurukul system of study i.e. the educational system is based on the traditional Gurukul system of study. The Kerala Kalamandalam provides Undergraduate and Postgraduate degrees in cultural and performing arts fields like Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Mridangam, etc. Admission to the courses is strictly entrance based along with a personal interview. Apart from studies, the institute offers an excellent library facility that has more than 50,000 books of Music, Indian History, Art’s, Epics, and Puranas, etc.

Kerala Kalamandalam Campus Tour

The institute offers a popular program - an integrated doctorate degree with Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy, admission to the integrated program is entrance-based. Candidates willing to apply for the program must have completed their Master’s degree in the related field with a minimum of 55% marks. 

Kerala Kalamandalam Quick Facts

  • The institute was established in 1930 by the famous Malayalam poet Padmabhoosan Vallathol Narayana Menon
  • The institute is recognized by The Universities Grant Commission or UGC
  • The institute has also served as a cultural hub and is a major tourist attraction
  • The institute is regarded as the most prominent school of Kathakali in the world. Of the several schools of learning prevalent in Kathakali at present Kalluvazhi School alone can claim universal recognition and prestige
  • The integrated program of M.Phil and Ph.D. is one of its kind for such an institute.
  • The college also provides an endowment award for good students and well-known personalities in the field of performing arts
  • Applications are available online and offline
  • The institute also conducts placement drive and internship programs, the students turnout to be major literary and art critics.
  • The University has been ranked 18th by University Web Ranking.
  • Kerala Kalamandalam has been ranked 637th rank in India.

Kerala Kalamandalam Courses and Fees

Kerala Kalamandalam offers various programs in the field of performing arts; the following table shows the courses offered by the institute and their fee details.

Program Program Details Selection Criteria
Bachelor Of Arts (BA)
  • Duration: 3 years
  • Fees: INR 2010
  • Specializations: Kathakali Vadakkan, Kathakali Music, Karnatic Music, etc
  • Eligibility: 10+2
 Merit Based 
Master of Arts- MA
  • Duration: 2 years
  • Fees: INR 3.35 lakhs
  • Specializations: Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Karnatic Music, Chenda, Mridangam, Kuttiyattam
  • Eligibility: Graduation in relevant field with minimum 55%- 60% marks.
Ph.D.
  • Duration: 3- 5 years
  • Fees: INR 2900
  • Specializations: Performing Arts, Cultural Studies
  • Eligibility: Master’s degree in relevant discipline with minimum 55% marks.
Integrated Ph.D.
  • Duration: 3- 5 years
  • Fees: INR 3100
  • Specializations: Performing Arts, Cultural Studies
  • Eligibility: Graduation

Kerala Kalamandalam Cut-Off

Kerala Kalamandalam Cut-off for various courses/streams is listed below:

Specializations/ Courses Cut-Off
General OBC SC ST EWS
Bachelor of Arts 329 245 205 -
Masters of Arts 302 - - -
Ph.D. 355 255 - -

Kerala Kalamandalam Placements

Kerala Kalamandalam concluded its placement session 2020-21 with several companies and institutes participating in the placement drive.

  • More than 100 placements were made on the first day of the placement drive.
  • Students are offered placement across several artistic fields from choreography to music accolades etc.
  • The average package offered ranges from 5- 7.5 lacs.
  • Around 85% of students were offered on campus placements.

Many renowned institutes and companies took part in the on campus placement drive. Below mentioned is the list of some reputed institutes and companies participating in the placement drive:

Vodafone Aditya Birla Group Berger Paints
Samsung JCBL IIFL
SONY Bharti Dainik Jagaran
Dance Choreography - -

The course wise placements record are tabulated below:

Courses No. of students placed
BA 90+
MA 220+
Ph.D. 300+
M.Phil 150+

Kerala Kalamandalam Scholarships

Kerala Kalamandalam offers several scholarships to its eligible and meritorious students. Some are given below:

Vazenkada Kunchu Nair Award: Provided by the Vazenkada Kunchu Nair Samarak Trust, the aim of the scholarship program is to provide financial stipends to meritorious students of Kathakali dance form who come from financially weaker sections of society and hold excellent academic records.

Samunnathi Scholarships: samunnathi-scholarship provided by the Nair Service Society, this scholarship is for meritorious students who need financial help to study.

Some other scholarship awards are mentioned below:

  • Achutta Warrier Award
  • Kuminni Award
  • Moothaman Venkichan Award

Kerala Kalamandalam FAQs

Ques: Does Kerala Kalamandalam provide a hostel facility?

Ans: Yes, Kerala Kalamandalam provides accommodation facilities to the students enrolling in it, the institute charges an additional INR 5000 for food and accommodation facilities.

Ques: Does Kerala Kalamandalam provide Distance education?

Ans: Yes, the institute does provide a distance learning program in few courses but not all, the distance learning program is a compilation of Audio, Video classes, and textbooks are provided to the student mail or post.

Ques: What are the various departments at Kerala Kalamandalam?

Ans: Various departments at Kerala Kalamandalam are Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Kutiyattam, Thullal, Mridangam, Panchavadyam Thimila, and Karnatic Music.

Ques: How to Avail Samunnathi Scholarships at Kerala Kalamandalam?

Ans: The student can directly apply on the trust website; fill up the scholarship form and attest the required documents and submit the application for availing of the Samunnathi Scholarship.

Ques: What is the Kerala Kalamandalam entrance fee and how can one apply for it?

Ans: The application fee at Kerala Kalamandalam for the Unreserved category is INR 500 and for the Reserved category is INR 200. Candidates can download a separate application form for each course from the institute’s website and fill the application form, make a payment of application form fees online on behalf of the Registrar. The duly filled application attached with the counterfoil pay-in-slip should be sent to the Registrar Kerala Kalamandalam.