The very first students of campus
In 1930 when sri Vallathol and his friends established kalamandalam there were two students for acting and two for music.
First teachers of kalamandalam’s first department – kathakali
Thakazhi Kunju Kuruppu and shri Koppan Nair were appointed as the first teachers of kathakali.
Helping hands invited into kalamandalam – Sri Ravunni menon
Shri Ravunni Menon was invited to assist with the massage and excersises.
Greatest achievement of sri Ravunni menon
Sri Ravunni Menon’s greatest achievement was that he produced some of the greatest kathakali artists of Kerala.
Introduction of southern acting style
It was in 1960, that the Thekkan chitta (Southern style of acting), was introduced into kalamandalam under the tutelage of shri Madavur Vasudevan Nair.
Differences based on the region
The regional differences exist due to certain technical variations between the kalluvazhi style and the southern style.