Kerala Kalamandalam, renowned the world over for its Kathakali training centre, is situated at Cheruthuruthy village in Thirssur, the cultural capital of Kerala state, India. This music and dance academy was started by the famous Malayalam poet Vallathol Narayana Menon. Besides Kathakali, this ancient training centre also provides training is classical arts like Kutiyattam, Mohiniyattam, Thullal, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and also percussion instruments like Mridangam and Panchavadayam(traditional orchestra).

Situated on the banks of River Bharatapuzha or Nila, Kalamandalam follows ancient gurukula system of training in which the disciples stay with the masters and learn.

Approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC) as a Deemed University for art and culture, Kerala Kalamandalam now offers multi-level development programs in the academic and artistic spheres. Classical performing arts, theatre studies and performance studies come under the courses offered here.