The inception of Kalamandalam gave a second life to three major classical performing arts of
Kerala, bringing out
Kathakali,
Kudiyattam and
Mohiniyattam from a state of near-extinction in the early 20th century. Amidst its abyss, in 1927, poet
Vallathol Narayana Menon and art-promoter Mukunda Raja came forward and formed a society called Kerala Kalamandalam. They solicited donations from the public and conducted a lottery in order to raise funds for this society. Kerala Kalamandalam was inaugurated in November 1930 at Kakkad house in
Kunnamkulam, and was, six months later shifted to Ambalapuram near
Mulakunnathukavu before eventually moved onto the village of
Cheruthuruthy, just south of
Shoranur, in 1936. The
Maharaja of Cochin donated the land and a building. Subsequently, a dance department was started to revive Mohiniyattom. Kerala Kalamandalam has been functioning as a grant-in-aid institution under the Cultural Affairs Department,
Government of Kerala. In 2006, the Kalamandalam was accorded the status of 'Deemed University for Art and Culture' by the
Government of India. In 2010,
University Grants Commission (India) has given 'A' category status for Kerala Kalamandalam. Kalamandalam is the only deemed university in
Kerala state accorded the prestigious status. ==Visits by prime ministers ==