Thrissur (Kerala):
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art museum of South Indian Performing Arts at the prestigious Kerala Kalamandalam in Thrissur on Wednesday.
"The proposed museum of South Indian Performing Arts is expected to lead to a greater and renewed interest in the art and culture of this region. The south Indian canvas is endowed with a wide variety of traditional performing arts, including ritual, folk and classical," said Mr Singh.
Kalamandalam is a premiere institution in the country that imparts training and renders assistance in conducting performances of classical southern dance forms like Kathakali, Koodiyattam, Mohiniyattam, Thullal and Panchavadyam.
Founded in 1930 by renowned poet Padmabhooshan Vallathol Narayana Menon on the bank of the Nila river at the Cheruthuruthy village of Thrissur district, Kalamandalam is today home to various students from across the globe who come to learn the nuances of the numerous art forms that the state is known for.
"The museum once established will preserve and promote the rich and varied performing arts of the four states of South India. Further, it would reinforce India's pluralism and harmonised co-existence of diverse cultures and sub-cultures," added Mr Singh.
This proposed museum will house a state-of-the-art digital library and archiving facilities, besides studios, performance auditoria and research facilities.
Kalamandalam is a deemed university for art and culture and has tie-ups and collaborations with major universities and colleges abroad. Besides, it conducts cultural exchange programmes with their partnering institutions.
Mr Singh later returned to Kochi and will meet Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and his full cabinet later on Wednesday.