Preserving the Classical Art of Kathakali
A premier cultural charitable society headquartered in Thrissur, Kerala — the cultural capital of the state — keeping Kathakali alive for over six decades.
An Unbroken Cultural Record
783+
Monthly Kathakali Performances
Since January 1965, not a single month has passed without a performance — including through the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Club moved online.
60+
Years
783+
Shows
59
Awardees
Honouring Excellence
The Suvarna Mudra — Gold Medal Award
Instituted in memory of founder Dr. K.N. Pisharody — 59 legends honoured so far, including Padmabhushan Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair and Guru Gopinath.
Kathakali Academy & Museum
Kalamandalam Hyderali Memorial
The Government of Kerala has allotted land for a permanent Academy and Museum — to house performances, exhibitions, archival material, and heritage education.
1965
Year Founded
783+
Monthly Programmes
59
Award Honourees
60+
Years Uninterrupted
Our Legacy
Six Decades of
Cultural Commitment
Founded in January 1965 by distinguished cultural personalities including Dr. K. N. Pisharody and Chittur Kunjan Namboothiripad, the Kathakali Club, Thrissur has been at the forefront of keeping Kathakali — a world-recognised art form — alive and accessible for over six decades.
Uninterrupted Performances
Monthly Kathakali programmes have continued without break since 1965 — including through COVID-19, when the Club moved online to keep the tradition alive.
Artistic Excellence
Classical plays from the Ramayana, Mahabharata & Bhagavatha Purana, alongside pioneering adaptations from the Bible, Shakespeare, and European classics.
Awards & Recognition
The prestigious Suvarna Mudra (Gold Medal), Young Singer Award, and Narayana Mudra celebrate eminent artistes and nurture emerging talent annually.
Heritage Preservation
Costumes, Kireedams (crowns), Kathakali Koppu ornaments, scholarly publications, and archives — preserved meticulously for future generations.
About the Club
A Living Institution of
Kathakali Heritage
Established in January 1965 and registered on 2 February 1968 (Registration No. 7/1968) under the Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration Act, the Club functions as a transparent, well-governed cultural institution.
"Even during the COVID-19 lockdowns, the Club continued its monthly programmes through online performances — preserving its uninterrupted cultural service."
The Government of Kerala has recognised the Club's contribution by entrusting it with the establishment of a Kathakali Academy in memory of legendary singer Sri. Kalamandalam Hyderali.
Institutional Details Reg. 7/1968
Registered Under
Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration Act XII of 1955
Cultural Activities
Monthly Kathakali
Performances
The Club organises Kathakali performances every month without interruption — a tradition unbroken since January 1965, curated with artistic integrity and respect for classical traditions.
Regular Kathakali Presentation
A complete Kathakali play is presented each month. Before the programme, a written scene-by-scene summary is circulated, with live explanation of actions on stage wherever required.
Annual Celebration Programmes
Held every April–May spanning three to five days — multiple performances, Kathakali music concerts, Keli and Purappad, scholarly talks, and the Suvarna Mudra Award ceremony.
Aswadana Kalaris
Appreciation workshops and study classes in schools across Thrissur — live explanations of make-up, costumes, music, percussion, and dance schemes to cultivate informed young audiences.
Honouring Excellence
Our Awards & Recognitions
The Kathakali Club, Thrissur, celebrates Kathakali's greatest artists and encourages emerging talent through three distinguished awards, conferred annually during our anniversary celebrations.
Suvarna Mudra
The Gold Medal Award
Instituted by the family of our founder Dr. K.N. Pisharody in his cherished memory, the Suvarna Mudra is the Club's most prestigious honour — conferred annually to eminent Kathakali artistes during anniversary celebrations.
Past Honourees Include
- • Guru Gopinath
- • Guru Chanduppanikkar
- • Keezhppadam Kumaran Nair
- • Padmabhushan Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair
- • 59 eminent artistes in total
Young Kathakali Singer Award
L.S.V. Foundation
Graciously instituted by the L.S.V. Foundation, this award honours and encourages young singers in the field of Kathakali music — preserving the rich tradition of Kathakali vocal artistry and supporting emerging artists.
About the Award
- • Presented annually at anniversary celebrations
- • Focuses on emerging vocal talent
- • Instituted by the L.S.V. Foundation
- • Supports preservation of Kathakali music tradition
Narayana Mudra
Instituted 2025
Instituted in 2025 in honour of our esteemed and long-serving Executive Committee member, Advocate C.K. Narayanan Namboothirippad (fondly known as CKN). Presented annually every August to recognise excellence among young Kathakali artists.
About the Award
- • Newest of the three awards (est. 2025)
- • Presented every August
- • Recognises young Kathakali artists
- • Honours CKN's legacy of service to the Club
Government of Kerala Recognition
Entrusted to Establish a Kathakali Academy
In recognition of its sustained contribution to cultural preservation, the Government of Kerala has entrusted the Kathakali Club, Thrissur, with establishing a Kathakali Academy and Museum in memory of the legendary singer Sri. Kalamandalam Hyderali. Land has been allotted for this historic project.
Gallery
Visual Chronicle of a Living Tradition
Explore performance memories, artistes, costumes, heritage assets, archival photographs, and glimpses from the Club’s extraordinary journey.
Performances
Monthly programmes, anniversary events, and commemorative performances.
Artistes & Characters
Kathakali expressions, make-up, costumes, crowns, and iconic roles.
Archives
Historical photographs, old venues, legacy memories, and visual heritage.
Support Heritage
Become a Patron of Kathakali
Your support sustains monthly performances, supports artistes, preserves heritage costumes and ornaments, funds educational outreach, and advances the proposed Kathakali Academy & Museum. Every contribution — large or small — keeps this living tradition alive.
Trust & Transparency
Donate with Confidence
The Club is a registered charitable society committed to governance, accountability, and responsible use of funds.
Registered Charitable Society
80G Tax Exemption Eligible
CSR Schedule VII Aligned
Official Receipts & Documentation
Kathakali Academy & Museum — Kalamandalam Hyderali Memorial
The Government of Kerala has allotted land for a multi-purpose Kathakali Academy and Museum. It will serve as a permanent performance venue, house a Kathakali Museum with costumes and archival material, and function as a cultural education space. Significant CSR and institutional support is needed to realise this vision. Be part of history.