The Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy is a prominent cultural institution located in Thrissur city, of Kerala, in India
Cultural Institution: The Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi is a government-funded institution dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the performing arts and cultural heritage of Kerala. It plays a vital role in supporting and nurturing various art forms in the state.
Formation: The Akademi was established on July 26, 1958. It was formed under the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Act.The Akademi was set up in Thrissur district, on 26th April 1958, to support and promote dance, music, dramatics, temple arts, ritual arts, magic and Kathaaprasangam (story recital). The Akademi, formed under the leadership of Kerala’s first chief minister, E. M. S. Namboodirippadu, and critic and education minister Joseph Mundassery, was dedicated by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Artistic Disciplines: The Akademi focuses on three primary artistic disciplines:
Sangeetham (Music): This includes classical music forms like Carnatic music, Hindustani music, and various folk music traditions of Kerala.
Natyam (Dance): Kerala’s traditional dance forms, such as Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Koodiyattam, and others, fall under this category.
Nataka (Drama): The Akademi supports and promotes the theater arts, including traditional and contemporary theater forms.
Promotion and Preservation: The Akademi works towards the promotion and preservation of these art forms by organizing cultural events, festivals, seminars, workshops, and training programs for artists and enthusiasts.
Awards and Honors: Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi presents prestigious awards to outstanding artists and practitioners in the fields of music, dance, and drama. These awards include the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship and various other recognition and monetary awards.
Cultural Research: The Akademi also engages in research activities related to Kerala’s cultural heritage and performing arts. It publishes books, journals, and other materials to disseminate knowledge about these art forms.The Akademi made its mark on Kerala’s cultural scene with the drama camps organized under the leadership of G. Sankara Pillai in Sasthamkotta, Thrissur and Nileswaram, and its various activities in the field of dramatics spearheaded by talented and dedicated artistes like Kavalam, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Gopi, Nedumudi Venu, Aravindan, Jagannathan, P. K. Venukkuttan Nair, Ramanujam and Vayalar Vasudevan Pillai.
Cultural Festivals: It organizes and sponsors cultural festivals and events across the state to showcase the diverse performing arts traditions of Kerala.
Training and Education: The Akademi supports training programs and educational initiatives to impart knowledge and skills to aspiring artists and students interested in music, dance, and drama.
Preserving Tradition: One of the primary objectives of the Akademi is to ensure that Kerala’s rich cultural traditions are passed on to future generations and continue to thrive.
The Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi has been instrumental in fostering the cultural heritage of Kerala and has contributed significantly to the recognition and development of the state’s performing arts on a national and international level.
