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About 32 kms. North of Trichur is home of the renowned repository of the tradition of the Kathakali dance form. The famous poet, Vallathol Narayana Menon, founded the music and dance academy. Training in Kathakali, Mohiniyattom, Thullal and other art forms of Kerala is imparted here. The Kerala Kalamandalam established in 1930, to impart training in traditional art forms like Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Thullal and Folk Dances is located here. Special performances can also be arranged on request. Many traditional art forms are taught here. Cheruthuruthy, the cultural capital of Kerala is to the north of Trichur, and 47 km south of Palghat. Blessed with River Bharatapuzha (known also as River Nila), Cheruthuruthy is exceptionally rich in its many splendoured colourful cultural resources, and has many things to offer both to foreign tourists as **ll as to the Indian lot who miss the warmth of village. Far from the madding crowd, along the banks of the longest river in Kerala, is the State's flagship training school for Kathakali dance drama and other indigenous performing arts of Kerala. Now the Kerala Kalamandalam is functioning at Vallathol Nagar, with its new building complex. The old Kerala Kalamandalam is still at Cheruthuruthy on the shore of Nila River. The Samadhi or Tomb of the Poet Vallathole is in the premises of old Kala Mandalam.

Cheruthuruthi a.k.a Vallathol Nagar is a small village near Wadakkanchery on the banks of the Nila (Bharathapuzha) river. It falls in Talappilly taluk of the revenue district of Thrissur. The Thrissur town is 33 km from Cheruthuruthy.

The Kerala Kalamandalam established in 1930 by Maha Kavi Vallathol (aka Great Poet Vallathol Narayana Menon) to impart training in traditional art forms like Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Thullal, Koothu, Drama and folk dances.

Cheruthuruthy is booned with the banks of Bharathapuzha, the Temple of "Kozhimamparambu" Bhagavathy, the Cheruthutruthy Mosque, and St. Thomas Church.

The Samadhi or Tomb of the great poet Vallathole is in the premises of old Kalamandalam. Kerala Kalamandalam is now established as the Deemed University for Cultural and Social Emergence. There is a small railway station in Cheruthuruthi called Vallathol Nagar. Passenger trains stop there. It is a stone's throw from there to famous art centre Kalamandalam.

Another major attraction of Cheruthuruthy is the erstwhile Palace of the Cochi Maharaja Which is now Renovated as a 3 Star Ayurvedic Heritage Resort on the banks of the Bharathapuzha aptly named The River Retreat - Lora Pradeep