Kerala Kalamandalam

chitra0828 · Jun 29th, 2009, 05:45

Hi All: we're having a debate at our home about whether or not we should try to visit Kerala Kalamandalam during our trip to Kerala. Yours truly is in favor of doing so of course. But I wondered if anyone has visited Kalamandalam and spent say 1/2 day there and had his/her experiences/thoughts to report.

Thanks Chitra

machadinha · Jul 4th, 2009, 18:45

It might have helped if you had explained what it is, I had to look it up as I'd never heard of it, probably few will have.

I suppose doing the same you'll have been led straight to their homepage like I was, http://www.kalamandalam.org/ .

They mention there that, apart from extended courses, they entertain day tours. So I guess if the place has your interest, sure, could be something else.

See http://www.kalamandalam.org/culturaltourism.asp ,
http://www.kalamandalam.org/adaywithmasters.asp .

vonkla · Jul 4th, 2009, 19:10

We wanted to visit it last December. When we arrived it was closed due to Christmas holiday.

gemcap · Jul 4th, 2009, 21:26

Chitra,

The centre is a beautiful piece of architecture (the famous poets Vallathol's house) which itself deserves a lookover.
A half day trip will give you nothing more than a touristy glance over into a couple of dance forms - probably thullal and kathakali. Unless you are going to be near Trichur / Cochin during your trip to Kerala and are really interested in the dance forms of Kerala (in which case a day may be better), skip it.

chitra0828 · Jul 5th, 2009, 20:30

I would love to spend some time at Kalamandalam but I don't think this is going to work with our itinerary. However, I did connect with a very nice person from Kalamandalam (Nibha) and here's the info she provided. I hope it helps to anyone else who would like to visit it. It sounds like you can certainly make a day trip out of it. Of course, there probably are some great ways to spend more time there too.

The school conducts a 'A Day with The Masters' programmme for Foreign tourists. I am attaching the brochure doc that she emailed me. They do not charge the same fee from Indian visitors, for a visit, but request for a donation. It would be best to visit on Wednesdays, as in the evenings they have performances by students at the Nila Campus. Kalamandalam is usually closed during weekends adn national/state/regional Holidays. It would be good if tourists pick a weekday for the visit and that too in the mornings by 9:00 AM.

Enjoy All. email to contact is keralakalamandalam@gmail.com. and the lady who helped me with info was Nibha Namboodhri.

chitra0828 · Jul 5th, 2009, 20:33

Lastly to add, best to make a reservation in advance so you get the most out of the experience. To give context, Kalamandalam is the premier traditional dance school and institute in Kerala. There are of course others like the Natana Kaisiki and Natana Kairali that are just south of Thrissur. I think visiting it is both great and a great support to the arts as well. It's clearly very easy to connect with them via the web, so good luck.

Nick-H · Jul 6th, 2009, 01:23

It's a place I'd like to visit, one day.

Seeing stuff like Rs15,000 charge for photography, though, makes me feel like using words rather less complimentary than 'premier dance school'. The first two words would be money-grabbing....

chitra0828 · Jul 6th, 2009, 05:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

It's a place I'd like to visit, one day.

Seeing stuff like Rs15,000 charge for photography, though, makes me feel like using words rather less complimentary than 'premier dance school'. The first two words would be money-grabbing....

Nick, to be fair if you were in New York and wanted to photograph artists at the Lincoln Center, I doubt you would be able to do it. I find Indian artforms are generally more accessible and less expensive than their western brethren. I am not comparing the arts themselves or the artists - just trying to put the charge you cited into context.

Nick-H · Jul 6th, 2009, 06:02

The context is that they are selling a tourist product. Their prices are not exactly low. To ask people to pay a very high charge on top of that, for taking photos of what they see, is ridiculous.

The camera ticket is an established scam here, to be found at many public places. It is a fact of life, especially of government sites, but not usually a large sum.

They may think that people will use photographs for commercial purposes, and that they should get their share. That is a modelling thing, then, not a tourist thing. If, though, they are so paranoid that one among the many visitors they hope to get might be a pro, they should ban photography altogether.

If you go there, by the way, I'd be really interested to read about the visit!

Jorge Reverter · Jul 6th, 2009, 06:19

Last July 2008 I went to Cheruthuruti to visit the famous Kalamandalam but it seems for one reason or another is always impossible to see this people playing or just practicing. They were on strike at the schools on the area I don't remember why...., in fact they are not very friendly with the visitors and finally I've lost half day.

Jorge

chitra0828 · Jul 6th, 2009, 22:06

That's all kinda shocking I have to say. I know we won't be able to do Kalamandalam, which is why I figured i'd at least post everything i'd learnt so far for others to use. But we will post on our overall experience along the itinerary when we're back. I think at this point we're hoping to catch a performance at the Kathakali Cultural center at Cochi, and perhaps at a temple if we're lucky!

Jun 29th, 2009, 05:45	#1
chitra0828 Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CT USA Posts: 61	Kerala Kalamandalam Hi All: we're having a debate at our home about whether or not we should try to visit Kerala Kalamandalam during our trip to Kerala. Yours truly is in favor of doing so of course. But I wondered if anyone has visited Kalamandalam and spent say 1/2 day there and had his/her experiences/thoughts to report. Thanks Chitra

Jul 4th, 2009, 18:45	#2
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,243	It might have helped if you had explained what it is, I had to look it up as I'd never heard of it, probably few will have. I suppose doing the same you'll have been led straight to their homepage like I was, http://www.kalamandalam.org/ . They mention there that, apart from extended courses, they entertain day tours. So I guess if the place has your interest, sure, could be something else. See http://www.kalamandalam.org/culturaltourism.asp , http://www.kalamandalam.org/adaywithmasters.asp . __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

Jul 4th, 2009, 19:10	#3
vonkla Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Netherlands Posts: 531	We wanted to visit it last December. When we arrived it was closed due to Christmas holiday. __________________ . See our travel journals Mumbai-Dehli in three months; From Kochi to Delhi

Jul 6th, 2009, 01:23	#7
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 35,898	It's a place I'd like to visit, one day. Seeing stuff like Rs15,000 charge for photography, though, makes me feel like using words rather less complimentary than 'premier dance school'. The first two words would be money-grabbing.... __________________ ... Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/var/lib/mysql/mysql.sock' (2)

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Jul 4th, 2009, 21:26	#4
gemcap Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dubai Posts: 13	Chitra, The centre is a beautiful piece of architecture (the famous poets Vallathol's house) which itself deserves a lookover. A half day trip will give you nothing more than a touristy glance over into a couple of dance forms - probably thullal and kathakali. Unless you are going to be near Trichur / Cochin during your trip to Kerala and are really interested in the dance forms of Kerala (in which case a day may be better), skip it.

Jul 5th, 2009, 20:33	#6
chitra0828 Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CT USA Posts: 61	Lastly to add, best to make a reservation in advance so you get the most out of the experience. To give context, Kalamandalam is the premier traditional dance school and institute in Kerala. There are of course others like the Natana Kaisiki and Natana Kairali that are just south of Thrissur. I think visiting it is both great and a great support to the arts as well. It's clearly very easy to connect with them via the web, so good luck.

Jul 6th, 2009, 06:02	#9
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 35,898	The context is that they are selling a tourist product. Their prices are not exactly low. To ask people to pay a very high charge on top of that, for taking photos of what they see, is ridiculous. The camera ticket is an established scam here, to be found at many public places. It is a fact of life, especially of government sites, but not usually a large sum. They may think that people will use photographs for commercial purposes, and that they should get their share. That is a modelling thing, then, not a tourist thing. If, though, they are so paranoid that one among the many visitors they hope to get might be a pro, they should ban photography altogether. If you go there, by the way, I'd be really interested to read about the visit!

Jul 6th, 2009, 06:19	#10
Jorge Reverter Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Murcia - Spain Posts: 1,456	Last July 2008 I went to Cheruthuruti to visit the famous Kalamandalam but it seems for one reason or another is always impossible to see this people playing or just practicing. They were on strike at the schools on the area I don't remember why...., in fact they are not very friendly with the visitors and finally I've lost half day. Jorge

Jul 6th, 2009, 22:06	#11
chitra0828 Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CT USA Posts: 61	That's all kinda shocking I have to say. I know we won't be able to do Kalamandalam, which is why I figured i'd at least post everything i'd learnt so far for others to use. But we will post on our overall experience along the itinerary when we're back. I think at this point we're hoping to catch a performance at the Kathakali Cultural center at Cochi, and perhaps at a temple if we're lucky!