ABSTRACT
This research paper focusses on the lone poet laureate of Malayalam, Vallathol Narayana Menon, and his contribution to the cultural regeneration of Kerala through the promotion of indigenous fine arts which were on the verge of extinction in the latter half of the nineteenth century. The poet established “Kerala Kalamandalam”, a deemed university, in 1930, dedicated solely for the teaching and development of Kerala’s fine arts.In the recent years, “Kerala Kalamandalam” has felt the need for digitalisation as an effective tool for promoting dance forms like Kathakali, Mohiniyattom, Koodiyattom, Thullal, Chakyarkoothu, among many others through internet and social media. Dance dramas written and directed by instructors of the university would be able to get a universal audience because of airing them online. Digitalisation has made both nourishing and marketing of these art forms much more easier than ever before due to larger number of audience owing to the global outreach. The paper expatiates on the journey of “Kerala Kalamandalam” as a saviour of the art forms, an institution with a modest beginning moulded by the efficient hands of Vallathol Narayana Menon slowly making a steady and significant impact in the cultural horizon of Kerala and branching out in all directions making a place for Kerala’s fine arts not just in India but even abroad.
