Tourism News

Chirakkal Kovilakam to meet the aspirations of Folklore Akademi.

The long awaited dream project of The Kerala State Folklore Akademi (KSFA) is soon to be accomplished. The Akademi will set up an open folk theatre, a cultural museum, a model 'kavu' (sacred grove) and a research library near Kannur. This will be made possible with the transfer of a heritage property belonging to the Chirakkal Kovilakam, seat of the erstwhile Kolathiri dynasty. The 5000 sq ft two-storeyed Kizhakke Kovilakam is part of the Chirakkal Palace, situated in 52 cents of land.The property worth Rs. 2.5 million has been sanctioned by the Tourism Department. The working group of tourism that met on January 22 last in the presence of the Tourism Minister, Prof K. V. Thomas considered the proposal, and administrative sanction was given to the proposal. According to the Chairman of the (KSFA) Mr. M. V. Vishnu Namboodiri, the Kovilakam provides the right ambiance for setting up the folklore museum and open theatre as it had a tradition, which saw the Kolathiri rulers patronize the folk ritual 'theyyam.'The Akademi will soon shift its administrative office to the newly acquired Kovilakam building.