Vijnana Kalavedi

Shown in the video is a foreigner learning traditional wood work at Vijnana Kalavedi, a premiere centre for arts situated at Aranmula in Kerala. The center offers training in classical art forms like Kathakali, Mohiniyattam and Bharatanatyam. Training is also offered in Carnatic Music, Percussions (Tabla and Maddalam), Mural Painting, Wood Carving and languages including Sanskrit, Hindi & Malayalam. 

An awareness course on Ayurveda, an intense course on Hatha Yoga are the specialties of the Kalavedi. The centre also offers training in some other art forms, which are offered as secondary subjects. They include Kolam, Cooking, Kathakali Make-up, Mudras, Yoga and Kalaripayattu (traditional martial art).

The Vijnana Kalavedi was set up in 1977 by Ms. Louba Schild, a French-born artiste and great connosseiur of Indian art forms. Ms. Schilde is a renowned Kathakali artiste who has tremendously contributed to the immense international popularity that this classical art form has gained.  

Aranmula is in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. The village is famous for the annual Aranmula Boat Race and Aranmula Kannadi, a mirror made of metal.