Kerala Literature

The most productive investment that society makes for future generations is the one in edcation. Kerala has the unique distinction of being topmost in the field of education in contrast to certain other areas of performance. About 71 % of the population of Kerala is literate, as against the national literacy rate of 35%. In female education also Kerala dominates in her innings. Although, the Indian Constitution has assured free and compulsory education to all children between 6 to 14 years, majority of Indian states have not succeeded in fulfilling the assurance. Yet Kerala has the pride of place among different Indian states in according free primary as well as secondary education for several years now. It is no exageration to say that there is so much diffusion of schools, that there is a school at every nook and corner within walking distance. At present more than 60 per cent of children of the age group from ,5-9 attend school. Much more precisely there are 2.2 primary schools for every 1000 children and 1.5 high schools for every 1000 high school students. Kerala has much to commend in regard to higher education. At present there are 174 Arts and Science colleges (42 government and 132 private), 5 Medical colleges and 5 Engineering colleges in Kerala. To organise their functions, 5 Universities are operating in the state. Thus the tiny State of Kerala spends about 37 to 40 per cent of her revenue income towards education, when it is just around 10 to 12 per cent in the other states of India. In short no other state in India has so much solid popular base in education as Kerala.

EDUCATION IN ANCIENT KERALA
As in other parts of India, so in Kerala modern system of education-began with the coming of the British. The Christian missionaries had the pride of place of being the early pioneers in the field. The benefits of this education had hardly percolated to the lower stratas of society.

Long before the coming of the English, Kerala had its own Danish traditions of education eminently suited to the cultural and social needs of society then. One can see three main strains in the educational system of ancient Kerala, viz., Village schools, Kalaries and Vedapatassalas. These seem to reflect the impact of the Buddhist and the Jain, the Dravidian and the Aryan traditions.

Salais
During the Kulasekhara period (800-1102 A.D.) great impetus was given to educational efforts. Temples then formed the nerve centre of the social and cultural life of the people. All the major temples had schools or colleges attached to them, a tradition that was borrowed from the Jains and the Buddhists. Those institutions were called Salais. A glimpse of the system of education followed in these Salais can be had from the inscriptions of the period. These institutions were maintained from thhe munificent donations received from kings and affluent persons. Most important of them were those at Kandalur, Parthivsekhar-apuram, Tiruvalla and Muzhikulam. Kandalur Salais seems to be the most popular among them.

Institutions like Kandalur and Parthivasekharapuram were centres of higher education. Salais were boarding schools meant exclusively for Brahmin youths and not for general education of all sections of the people. The pupils who were enrolled had free tuition, boarding and lodging. Intensive study of the Vedas, Sastras and other branches of learning. Strict de-scipline was maintained in the Institution. Thus the Salais were ideal centres of education.
However, the Chola-Chera war paved the way for the decline of the Salais. Lack of patronage and decline in the character of the people also seemed to contribute to their disappearance.

Sabha Mutts
The decline of the Salais did not put an end to the educational efforts of Kerala. Another chain of educational institutions sprang up in different parts of Kerala in the easily medieval period. These were called Sabha Mutts and were like the Salais attached to temples. It is believed that there were eighteen mutts, in all of which, the earliest were founded by Sankaracharya himself at Trichur. These Trichur Mutts devoted themselves to Vedic studies. Sabha Mutts flourished at Chovannur, Tirunavai and Kumbalam. The Zamorin of Calicut patronised the Tirunavai Mutt.

The sabha Mutts were intended for the education of the Namboodiri youths in the Vedas and the Sastras. The Gurukula system of education was what was practised in them.Free boarding, lodging and tuition were given to the inmates, once admitted. Competitive tests were conducted among the pupils of different mutts only to gauge their memory power and not knowledge. Even today, centres such as those at Trichur and Tirunavai impart instruction in Vedic studies in the traditional way.

Proficiency Tests
One striking feature of the intellectual life of ancient an 1 medieval Kerala was the periodic proficiency tests held in literary assemblies. The most spectacular among them were the Anyonyam held in the Katavallur temple and the RevAi Pattathanam held in the Tali Temple, Calicut. The former was a competition held among students trained in Mutts. The winners were rewarded with titles and honours. The latter was a competition arranged among outstanding scholars associated with Mutts. The standard expected was of a very order and the title offered to the best was Bhatta. The Zamorin of Calicut was the chief patron of this assembly.

Village Schools
Side by side with the institutions mentioned above, there was a parallel system of village schools or Ezhuthupallis, where non-Brahmins were educated. These institutions were so diffused that there was at least one Ezhuthupalli in each village. The traditional teacher was called Asan, who initiated a child to the village School usually on a Vijayadasami day. Education begins with thhe teaching of the three "R'S". Thereafter the child attended the village school regularly and took instruction from the Asan. Besides reading, writing and arithmetic a child was offered Kavyas and elemments of astronomy and astrology. Advanced courses included Kavyas, Alankaras, Natakas, logic grammmar and Ayurveda. Ezhuthupallis were co-education centres. Girls got in addition to the above general courses, somme special instruction in music, recitation of verses from Ramayana and Mahabharata, and Kaikottikali or Tiruvatirakali. Besides, the Asan also took care to mould the character of his pupils. Thus, the education imparted at Ezhhuthipallis was a well co-ordinated system of education capable of moulding the physical, intellectual and moral life of the pupils.
Ezhuthupallis shot into prominence with the stimulus given to it by Tunchat Ezhuthachan who is the "Father of Malayalam Language", the 17th century. He opened a Vedic School and a Guru Madham at Chittur, to challenge the Brahmin monopoly of Sanskrit learning and studies. Here ordinary people got ample opportunity to study Sanskrit. Thus the mmyth of Brahmin monopoly in Sanskrit was exploded, through his efforts. The most vigorous phase of village schools may be associated with the name of Tunchat Ezhuthachan.

Kalaries and Physical Culture
Kalaries were institutions peculiar to Kerala. They looked after the physi-cal education of youths, when the Sabha Mutts and Ezhuthupallis devoted themselves to the academmic aspect of education. Each Kalari is presided over by the Kurup or Panikkar. He gave instructions to youths in the use of weapons and training in acrobatics such as fencing, boxing and wrestling. Students who completed their education in village schools usually went to these institutions for training in gymnastics and the use of weapons. In medieval times the Nairs, the Thiyas, the Christians, the Muslims and even Namboodiri youths took pride in thhe training received from Kalaries.
It is of interest to learn some more details regarding the physical training given at Kalaries. The initial part of the training comprised training of the physique called Meyyirakkam. A special course of massage was also given then. This was followed by a course in twelve physical exercises suited to meet any adversary either in attack or defence. These were intended for acquiring suppleness of the body and agility of the limbs. Then fensing was taught. It consisted of the training in the use of weapons. The most outstanding among the trainees was given a course in Marrmms. Marmams stand for the most vulnerable parts of the human body. Anybody trained in Marmams could easily disable his opponent by a mere touch. This martial art was never used indiscriminately but only as a last resort and that too only for self defence.
The Kalaries offered full-fledged scheme of physical education called Kalaripayattu. It was for promoting noble causes that Kalarippayattu was resorted to. But from the eighteenth century it lost its significance with the use of guns and cannons.

Sepiinaries and Theological Education
In the field of theological education also Kerala had its own peculiar traditions. When the Salais and Sabha Mutts offered theological education to the Hindus, the Muslims also had their own centres of learning called Madrasas and Arabic colleges. The former, attached to mosques, offered study of the Quran and life of the Prophet. But the latter were centres of advanced studies in Arabic and scriptures.
Theological education in the modern sense originated with the Christians. The Portuguese were the earliest to start seminaries and printing presses in Kerala. For training up priests they opened seminaries of which the earliest, was the one at Kodungallur in 1541. No less important was the seminary at Vaipicotta. They established printing presses at Cochin and Vaipicotta as early as 1577. Another institution which they founded was the Jesuit college at Cochin. This became a great centre of Latin studies. The Jesuit college at Quilon is associated with the Portuguese. The establishment of seminaries, printing presses and colleges helped the cause of enlightenment in general and Christian theological education in particular. In 1682 the Carmelite Missionaries established a splendid seminary at Varapuzha which was subsequently shifted to Alwaye. This had since then come to be known as the St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary. It developed into an advanced centre of learning that it was affiliated to the Lateran University in Rome. In 1972, at this venue was founded the Pontifical Institute of Theology and Philosophy and it rose to the status of a full-fledged Faculty empowered to confer University theological degrees.
The Jacobite Syrian Church was also not slow to establish a seminary of their own. In 1813 was founded the Syrian Seminary at Kottayam. It was intended to train people to take up priest-hood in the Jacobite church. Today it stands affiliated to the Ser-ampur University. The curriculum consists of a five year course offering instruction in Syriac Language, hymns and liturgies. It also gives instruction in the Bible, church history, theoso-phy, philosophy, religions, cannons of the church etc.
Another renowned seminary established in Kerala was the St. Thomas Appostolic Seminary at Vadavathur, Kottayam. It is affiliated to the Gregorian University of Rome and it offers a course of seven years. One peculiarity of this seminary is that it maintains strict Indian traditions. This has risen to an institute of national importance.

CENTRES OF LEARNING: ANCIENT, MEDIEVAL AND MODERN
Kerala has been renowned for a couple of centres of learning. One of the earliest of such centres was Tri-kana Matilakam near Kodungallur. This is referred to in ancient Tamil and Sanskrit literature. Ilango Adikal the author of Silappadhikaram spent several years along with many other scholars. This was a centre where great literary luminaries flocked here for various academic exercises. After the fourteenth century it slowly lost its importance.

During the days of the Kulasekharas of Mahodyapuram (800-1102 A.D.) flourished educational centres like Kandalur, Parthivasekhar-apuram, Tiruvalla and Muzhikulam. But Mahodayapuram, by all standards, topped the list. Such illustrious literary luminaries as Kulasekhara Alwar, the author of Mukundamala and Perumal, Tirumozhi, Vasudeva Bhat-tatiri, the author of Yamaka Kavyas, Tolan the author of Kramadipika and Sankaranaryana the author of Laghubhaskariyavyakhya adorned this centre. This was the seat of a well equipped observatory also. With the fall of the Kulasekharas, Mahodayapuram eclipsed in importance.
With the decline of Mahodayapuram and the Kulasekhara Empire, new centres of learning-emerged in other parts of Kerala. Quilon, the capital of Venad was a vigorous centre of learning. Ravi Varma Kulasekhara (1299-1314) was a notable scholar and a man of letters. Scholars from far and wide enjoyed his patronage. Two notable scholars who enjoyed his munificence were Samudrabandha and Kavibhushana.

Pradyumnabhyudayam itself "Was written by Ravi Varma at this centre. It was under the favourable atmosphere of the Quilon court that the famous anonymous poem Unninilisandesam was composed in the fourteenth century. In the sixteenth century Quilon also saw the establishment of a Jesuit college by the Portuguese. Even today Quilon retains its importance in education.
Calicut was a great centre of Sanskrit learning under the Zamorins. Here every year Revati Pattathanam (assembly of scholars) was held, which was attended by scholars from far and near. During thhe reign of Bharani Tirunal Manavikarama, a galaxy of Patinettara Kavikal adorned his court. Under the Kolathiri Rajas, Talipar-ampa shot into prominence as a leading centre of learning. It was the place where famous competitions were held in such arts as Kuthu, Kutiyattam, Ch-enda Melam, music etc. The Talipar-amba temple was the venue of the first performance of the Chakiars of Kerala was staged. Chirakkal and Kot-tayam in North Kerala also were distinguished centres of culture and learning.
Under the rulers of Vadakkumkur and Tekkumkur, Kottayam and Chan-ganacherry rose to prominence as centres of learning. The great poet Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri (1560-1646) had the . hospitality of the Vadakkumkur Raja. The rulers of Vadakkumkur also patronised Ramapurathu Warrier in the eighteenth century.
Ambalapuzha the capital of the Chembakasseri Raja distinguished itself as a seat of learning. Several scholars flocked to this centre even from far off places. Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri brought out his learned grammar Prakfiyasarvaszva under instruction from the Chempakasseri Raja.
By far Trivandrum, was the most outstanding seat of education in modern times. Marthanda Varma and Dharma Raja (1758-1798) were great patrons of learning. Literary giants like Kunjan Nambiar, Ramapurathu Warrier and Unnayi Warrier graced the Travancore Court. The periodic council of learned men or Pandita Sabha held by Dharma Raja was an occasion when scholars from all parts of the state assembled to display their-talents and win honours and distinctions. The nineteenth century witnessed further intellectual and scholastic heights to Trivandrum, when Swathi Tirunal ruled over Travancore. Learning and literature and even fine arts received boundless patronage and encouragement at his hands. With the establishment of the Kerala University, the first of its kind in the state, much later, Trivandrum became the most enlightened and cultured centre of learning in Kerala.
The Cochin rulers were not a whit different. They also patronised learned men and made Cochin and Tripunithura great centres of culture and learning. Vira Kerala Varma Raja of Cochin extended his munificence to Mepathur Narayana Bhattatiri. During the Portuguese and Dutch periods, Cochin blossomed as a leading centre of education. The Jesuit College which the Portuguese established and the splendid library which it had were advanced centres of study. The fame of Cochin as a great centre of learning was further enhanced with the compilation of the monumental work Hortus Malabaricus an authoritative work on the medicinal plants of Kerala. In recent times Trippunithura struck the headlines of learning, as it was the seat of the Cochin royal family. Rama Varma the Maharaja of. Cochin who stepped down in 1914, set up a famous Sanskrit College here. An annual conference of scholars in different branches of learning met here.
Kodungallur (Cranganore) was a well known seat of learning in the nientheenth century. From the Kodungallur royal family emerged scholars of repute. It was the enlightened background of Kondungallur, which attracted such geniuses as Venmani, Sivoli, Naduvam and Oravankara Namboodiris to the court. Kunhikut-tan Tampuran of the royal family was its most celebrated poet.

WESTERN EDUCATION
Christian missionaries were the early pioneers to introduce western education in Kerala. Catholic missionaries though arrived earlier than the Protestant missionaries, the latter gave top priority to educational work of their flock the former did not. When the London Mission Society (L.M.S.) concerntrated in South Travancore, to Central Travarrcore and Cochin the Church Mission Society (C.M.S.) to Central Travancore and Cochin confined itself, leaving the Malabar area to the Basel German Evangelical Mission.
A Prussion Missionary called W.T. Ringletaube (1806-1816) in addition to carrying on evangelical work established a few school in South Travancore, where children belonging to all classes and creeds, were offered instruction in reading, writing and arith-matic. The missionaries of the L.M.S. established several other schools and continued the work of Ringletaube. Among them, Rev. Mead (1817-73) was the most distinguished stalwart. His name is also associated with the establishment of industrial and girls' schools.
Kottayam witnessed vigorous educational efforts from the Syrian Seminary set up in 1813. But the C.M.S. Missionaries were mainly responsible for introducing secular and general education in the several branches of the seminary. Rani Lakshmi Bai extended liberal grants to the institution at the instance of Col. Munro, her Dewan. Side by side, the C.M.S. Missionaries started a chain of Grammar Schools to prepare the more talented for higher education. At Kottayam itself a Grammar School was opened in 1821. Female education also recived due attention with the setting up of girls' schools in and around Kot-tayam. The pioneers in the field were Baily, Baker and Fenn. In Cochin also the missionaries were very active in Mattancheri and Trichur as the fields of their operations. The first ever English school at Mattancheri was esa-blished by Rev. J. Dawson in 1818. It was a failure but in 1835 another school was opened at the same place to teach English, Hebrew and Malay-alam. One Brandenbug was the founder of the first English School which arose in Trichur in 1837.
The Basel German Evangelical Mission initiated its education efforts in Calicut and Tellicherry. The nucleus of English education in Calicut was a Primary School opened at Kallai by the Mission in 1848. It was soon shifted to Calicut. In 1872 it was raised to Middle School and subsequently to a High School in 1878. Its growth did not end there. In 1907 it bacame a second grade college having affiliation with the Madras University. The present Malabar Christian College is a later edition of the earlier second grade college. Tellicherry became another field of the mission in education. In 1856 the Mission opened an English School at Tellicherry. The Brennen School associated with this mission, is the progenitor of the present Government Brennen College. In 1872 it was taken over by the Government.

Progress of Western Education The Government of Travancore was not silent spectator to the pioneering efforts made by the missionaries. They In their turn took the first step at introducing free and compulsory education in 1817 under Rani Gouri Par-vathi Bai. Col.Munro was the moving spirit behind this endeavour. Primary school were set up in all villages and parents were exhorted to send their children between 5 and 10 years to them. During the days of the illustrious Maharaja Swati Tirunal, an Englih school was established in Trivandrum. Its first Headmaster was J. Roberts. Began as a private school, it was taken overn by the Government later and it was called the Raja's Free School. Subsequently in 1866, it was raised to a college and was affiliated to the Madras University. This is the later University College, Trivandrum.
Parallel steps were taken by the Cochin Government in popularising English education. In 1845, a Government English High School was established at Ernakulam. This school developed into the Maharajas College of today. In the Calicut region also an English school was set up, for the education of the princes of the Zamorin's family, in 1877. Soon, boys of all caste-Hindus also were admitted. This became a college, the present Gu-ruvayoorappan college. Likewise a rate school was inaugurated in Palaghat in 1866. In 1877 it was raised to a goverrnment college with the name, Government Victoria College.

Once the advantages of English education were known, an all-out effort was made by the Government as well as private agencies to start colleges in different parts of the state. Thus sprang up several colleges which catered to the growing demand for general as well as professional education. Among the earliest in the respective fields were thhe Law College, Trivandrum (1874), the Ayurveda college, Trivandrum (1889), the Engineering College Trivandrum (1939), the Swati Tirunal College of Music (1939), the Medical College, Trivandrum (1951), the Agricultural College, Trivandrum (1955) and the Veterinary College, Trichur (1955).

Growth of Universities
Till 1937, Kerala has no University of its own. Until then all colleges in Kerala were affiliated to the Madras University. Even after the setting up of the University of Travancore in 1937, the colleges in the Malabar and Cochin areas continued their affiliation with the University of Madras. In 1949, with the integration of Travancore and Cochin, the University of Travancore was expanded so as to include the government clolleges in the Cochin area in it. Later, with the creation of the state of Kerala, and under the provisions of the Kerala University Act of 1957, all colleges in the Cochin and Malabar areas were brought within the frame work of this only University, renamed as Kerala University.
With the rocketing expansion of higher education in the state, .Kerala University had to strip off some of its responsibilities. As a first step in the direction, two new University Centres were established, one at Calicut and the other at Trikkakara, Cochin. The University Centre at Calicut was raised to the status of a full-fledged affiliating University in 1968. Later in 1971 the University Centre at Cochin was converted into a full-fledged federal University. Thus three separate Universitites, viz, Kerala, Calicut and Cochin came into existence in Kerala within fifteen years of its birth. To this list, was added an Agricultural University at Trichur in 1971. Another spectacular achievement of Kerala was the establishment of the Gandhiji University in 1985 with Kot-tayam as its centre. It is an affiliating university. One peculiarity of this University is that it has under it two new departments, one on Polimer Scionce and the other on International Relations quite new to Kerala.

PRESENT SYSTEM AND STANDARDS OF EDUCATION
The system of education in Kerala provides for ten years at the school level, two years at the Pre-degree level, and three years at the degree level. Post Graduate courses of two years are offered in arts,science, commerce and several other subjects, from the affilating colleges and University Departments. The demand for professional education is met by colleges meant for medicine, engineering, ayurveda, law, teachers' training, agriculture, veterinary, computer science etc. There are also colleges which offer instruction in music, painting and dance.

Private Sector in Education
One peculiar feature of the Kerala educational specturm is the pre-domi-nance of the private sector.
The Christian missionary agencies were very active in the field of education in the Travancore-Cochin area and hence there was stupendous progress. That much of proliferation was not there in Malabar. Yet Christian efforts proved a great success. This induced non-Christian agencies such as the Nair Service Society, the Sri Narayana Trusts and the Muslim Education Society to thrown in their initiative in a big way. With this active involvement of the private sector, education progressed by leaps and bounds. Today, two-thirds of the schools and eighty per cent of the arts and science colleges in Kerala are owned by them, yet under over-all control by the government.
Growth of literacy
Kerala stands first in the queue among Indian states in point of general educational standards. The track record of Kerala in percentage of literacy, number of educational institutions, enrolment ratio, per capita expenditure on education, proportion of state income devoted to education, is really praiseworthy. According to the 1981 census, the percentage of literacy in Kerala is 71 as against 36, which is the national percentage.

At present every 5.58 square kilometers there is one lower Primary School, 14.19 square kilo-meters one Upper Primary School, 23.13 sq. km. one High School in Kerala. As per data available (1982-83) the total number of college students also registered phe-nominal increase to 2,81,882, excluding those studying in parallel colleges (Tutorials). In the field of higher education, parallel colleges render a great service. Those who do not get admission in colleges, are absorbed in these institutions. Every year 34% of the Pre-degree, 40% of commerce students and 46% of post-graduate students are products of these institutions. This is possible because of the granting of private registration in 1971 in the Kerala and in 1977 in the Calicut Universities. All these show that the literacy rate of Kerala is very high when compared to that of India.

In the field of technical and professional education also, Kerala took great strides of progress. There are at present six Engineering Colleges, 18 Polytechnics, 41 IIT's and 21 Junior Technical Schools in Kerala. Besides there are 5 Medical Colleges, 3 Ayur-vedic Colleges, 19 Teacher's Training Colleges and 4 Law Colleges.
In recent times the Government of Kerala has gone much ahead even in non-formal adult education. The aim is to make the state 100% literate by 2000 A.D.

Library
Library movement originated in Kerala in the first half of the nineteenth century. The Public Library of Trivandrumm is one of the oldest libraries in India.lt was established in 1829 by Col. Edward Cadogan, the then British Resident of Travancore. In early times its membership was restricted to the persons associated with the Royal Durbar. Maharaja Swati Tirunal contributed much for its growth. This library was administered by a small library committee with the Maharaja as patron and the British Resident as President. In 1889 the Library was taken over by the government. Now it is easily accessible to the general public.

Cochin as the next-door neighbour to Travancore, reacted positively to the library movement. The Ernakulam Public Library was established in 1870. The Government of Cochin took keen interest in the growth of libraries. Two more libraries spring up a little later. The Kottayam Public Library (1882) and the Trichur Public Library (1873) were the early to be set up. The state government and municipalities took great interest in the library movement. In 1933 was started the Quilon Municipal Library. In 1935-36 the Government of Travancore took the bold steps of staring rural libraries as adjuncts to departmental primary schools. These functioned actively. This was certainly a milestone m the growth of library movement in Kerala.

Another landmark in the development of library movement was the establishment of the Travancore Grand-hasala Sangham in 1945. Under its initiative 47 libraries were started in remote areas of Travancore.The Sangham functioned on a popular democratic foundation. The government extended its helping hand to these libraries through the Sangham. With the birth of Kerala, the Sangham was renamed Kerala Grandhasala Sangham.

In the Malabar area the library movement originated in the nineteenth century with the starting of the District Central Library in Calicut. After a long spell of dormancy, the Can-nanore Public Library was established in 1929. However, Malabar library movement got enough encouragement only after independence. Under the provisions of the Madras Library Act of 1948, a network of main and branch libraries in each district, was started in Malabar. The entire responsibility for this was vested with a Local Library Authority. Thus the library movement in Malabar received a great boost. After 1957, most of these were brought within the control of the Kerala Grandhasala Sangham.

Kerala has the distinction of having a few libraries of great repute, in addition to the above public libraries. Some of the libraries of high standing are the University Library, the Kerala Legislature Secretariat Library, the Orientel Research Institute and the Manuscripts Library, at Kariavattom. The Manuscripts Library is a treasure house of rare manuscripts; the 40,000 palm-leaf manuscripts preserved here have attracted international attention of scholars interested in Oriental Studies. The Department of History, University of Calicut also has a rich collection of palm-leaf documents, copper plates and bamboo manuscripts.

Apart from the above, there are a few other notable libraries also in Kerala. The most important among them are the Sri Chitra Tirunal Grandhasala and the Ullur Memorial Library in Trivandrum. Thus the library movement in Kerala today has reached a stage of marvellous growth, assuming new dimensions of glory and popularity.

The State Department of Archaeology has under its direct control museums at Kayamkulam, Ernakulam and Calicut. Though in their infancy, they treasure specimens of Kerala murals, plaster models, stone sculptures, coins, stone-age implements, potsherds etc. The Krishnapuram palace is the venue of the Kayamkulam Museum. The Ernakulam Museum is accommodated in the Durbar Hall of the erstwhile Maharajas of Cochin. The V.K. Krishna Menon Art Gallery at Calicut also recalls the artistic glory of Kerala. Perhaps the pride of place among the art galleries in Kerala is the Padmanabhapuram Palace, still controlled by the Archaeological Department of Kerala.
The Universities of Kerala have also played their modest role in the field. The Aquarium maintained by the Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, University of Kerala is one unique institution in the whole country. It has got a collection of very rare species of fish. Though primarily meant for the department, it is open to the general public also. The Department of History, University of Calicut also has a museum with collections from sculpture, pre-historic relics, inscriptions, coins and specimens of folk art.

RESEARCH INSTITUTES
For purpose of study and advanced research, the state has taken the bold initiative of organising Research Institutes in recent times. The earliest was the Kerala Engineering Research Institute set up in 1960 at the Peechi Dam site. It offers facilities for research in different branches of engineering, as well as in Physics, Chemistry, Ge-ology and Mathematics.
The Centre for Development Studies, Trivandrum is meant for research in disciplines having a bearing on development. It is so independent, that it maintains close relations with planning and development agencies, not only at the state and national levels but even at the U.N.level. It maintains close rapport with Universities not only of the state but even those of national standing. The centre also serves as a forum for economists, sociologists, engineers, planners and even administration. It has a splendid library.
In the field of medicine, also, the Sri Chitra Tirunal Medical Centre has caught up much popularity as an advanced research centre devoted exclusively to Cardiology and Neurology. Its venue is in the Trivandrum Medical College complex. From 1976 it has been taking up open-heart surgery and microneuro surgery. Hundreds of cardiac and neurologic patients today can turn to this institution for help and relief. The centre has been so equipped with most modern and sophisticated instruments, tools and machinery and with team of expert doctors that it has developed itself into a major centre of bio-medical engineering and technology. This research wing of the centre is accommodated in Statelmond Palace campus in Trivandrum. It has been later recognised as a National Institute.
The establishment of the Kerala Forest Research Institute in 1975 marks another important stride taken by the state in the direction of research. The main objective of the institute is to initiate research and organise studies that will lead to the development of methods and strategies for preservation, management and utilisation of forest wealth.

ACADEMIES
Kerala has the distinction of having well organised academies for the promotion of the cause of literature and arts. Three such academies are functioning today with their headquarters at Trichur viz. the Kerala Sahitya Akademi.The Kerala Sangita Nataka Akademi and the Kerala Lalita Kala Akademi.

Kerala Sahitya Akademi
The Kerala Sahitya Akademi was established in 1956. It has done meritorious service in the promotion of co-operation among writers. Among the most important activities of the Akademi, special mention may be made of the publication of literary works of distinction. It extends a helping hand to individual writers for publication of their literary works. Under its initiative literary conferences and workshops are held. In order to encourage individual scholars of eminence, it has instituted awards and distinct-ions.Under its auspices a "who is who" of Malayalam writers past and present was published. It has a magnificent librabry well-stocked with 35,000 rare volumes in Malayalam language. Another useful work done by Akademi is the publication of a Malayalam Quarterly and an English Quarterly containing scholarly articles.

Kerala Sangita Nataka Academi
This academi was started in 1958. It aims at developing dance, music and drama and promoting research in these fields. Several theatre centres function under its care. Through awards and distinctions offered by the Akademi, it has given great stimulus to the promotion of these performing arts. Periodic dramatic festivals and folk arts are also held under its aegis. Hundreds of ,Kalasamities exist in several parts of Kerala enjoying financial assistance from the Akademi on the basis of annual assessment.

Kerala Lalita Kala Akademi
The Lalita Kala Akademi was set in 1962. Its basic objective is promotion of visual arts and plastic arts. Ever since its creation, it has organised seminars, artist camps and conferences, and also art exhibitions. Apart from offering refresher courses to art teachers, it also extends monetary assistance to artists and students of art.

CULTURAL AND LITERARY SOCIETIES
Cultural and literary societies have also played quite a distinctive role in the cultural reawakening of modern Kerala. Perhaps the first of their kind established in 1892 was the Kavi Sa-majam sponsored by literary luminaries like Kerala Varma Valia Koil Tam-puran and Kandathil Varghese Map-pila. The samajam was soon transformed into the Bhasha Poshini Sabha. Annual literary conferences were held in different parts of the state. Its literary achievement was the publication of Bhashaposhini a literary quarterly. For want of able leadership, it died a natural death after 1911.

Sahitya Parished
Another society that arose on the ashes of the Bhashaposhini Sabha was the Samastakerala Sahitya Parishad established in 1927. Its headquarters is at Ernakulam. This is the most popular literary organisation in Kerala. In its annual sessions, leading Malayalam literary stalwarts meet and discuss matters of literary and cultural interest.
The Sahitya Pravartaka Cooperative Society
This society was establishbed in 1945. At present it has more than 500 members on its rolls, and has a share capital of Rs.8 lakh. It has undertaken publication of thousands of books and gives 30% royalty to writers, perhaps the highest in the world. The society has brought out in ten volumes an Encyclopaedia in Malayalam. Out of Rs.2 lakh set apart for the benefit of authors (Sahitya Pravartaka Benefit Fund) it helps poor writers as well as gives award prizes for the best work each year. Their Book Instalment Scheme has assisted hundreds of people in building up personal libraries of their own. Thus the society is perhaps the only such society in the world, to extend to literary men help and encouragement in a big way.
OTHER ORGANISATIONS
Apart from the literary and cultural organisations mentioned, there are a couple of other organisations of interest. Kerala has for example several Kathakali yogams from early days. Even today several such yogams exist in Kerala. These have promoted this art-form considerably. There are also organisations promote kalari-payattu, music and painting. The C V N Kalari with a net-work of branches all over Kerala is devoted to the promotion of Kalaripayattu, while the Swati Tirunal Sangita Sabha promotes music. Likewise the Kerala Chitrakala Parishad fosters pictorial art.
There are a few more cultural societies in Kerala devoted to study of History, Science and Horticulture. The Kerala History Association, with its headquarters and Ernakulam has brought out a monumental work on History of Kerala in Malayalam. The Kerala Historical Society, with its headquarters at Trivandrum has engineered the publication of a series of monographs based on aspects of Kerala history. The Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad established in 1957 with a chain of branches all over Kerala is also doing great service in the dissemination of basic sicentific knowledge to the ordinary public. The Kerala Agri-Horticultural Society, Trivandrum, every year arranges flower, fruit and vegetable shows in Kerala.
In recent times childrens' organisations are evincing keen interest in the field. The Akhila Kerala Balajana Sakhyam established in 1929, perhaps the larget children's organisation in the whole of Asia, has the pride of place in children's organisations. It is patronised by the Malayala Manorma (Malayalam daily) and has a membership of about three lakhs children. Among its activities mention may be made of leadership training camp, exhibitions of childrens' paintings, art festivals etc. In recent times other newspapers have also come forward to organise study centres. Thus the cultural scene of Kerala is very vigorous and lively.

Periodicals Today
Kerala has been a treasure land for periodicals of cultural and literary value. Today there are 106 weeklies, 68 fortnightlies, 585 monthlies, 24 quarterlies, 5 annuals and 11 publications of other periodicity (in July 1987). Kerala's high literacy has been responsible for this wide profusion of periodicals in the state.
The major newspapers of Kerala have been bringing out periodicals of cultural and literary taste and content. The name of Malayala Manorarna Kottayam is associated with the Malayala Manorama weekly, the Vani-tha, a women's monthly, the Balarama a children's monthly and Bhasha Posh-ini a literary monthly-all with wide circulation. The Mathrubhumi weekly Calicut embodying articles of cultural and literary value is also widely read. The Desabhimani and Chinta do not long behind. The former is a cultural and the latter a political weekly. The Janayugam weekly ad the Balayugam published from Quilon are also popular magazines. The Kaumudi group publishes from Trivandrum two weeklies; the Kala kaumudi, Kalakaumudi Film Magazine and Katha, a monthly magazine of short stories. A weekly magazine is brought out by Chandrika from Calicut.
The above do not tell the whole story. There are a host of other weeklies brought out from different parts of Kerala. Some of the most popular are: Kunkumam (Quilon) Kesari (Calicut), Manorajyam (Kottayam), Malayala Nadu (Quilon) and Chitra Karthika (Cochin). Among monthlies, mention may be made of the Cinema Masika (Kottayam), Vivekodayam (Irinjalakuda) the Grandhalokam and the N. B. S. Bulletin, the last two embody much information on the latest literary ventures of Kerala. There are also in addition the Mangalodayam (Trichur) and Vijnana Kairali, by the addition the State Institute of Languages are monthlies bringing out several literary articles of high standard. The Bhasha Sahiti a quarterly published by the Department of Malayalam, University of Kerala bringings out a series of articles of high literary quality. Kerala is also famous for the Journal of Indian History (English) published from the Department of History, University of Kerala. It is a periodical published every four months and is maintaining international standards and reputation. Journal of Kerala Studies is yet another quarterly (English) published by the same department of the University.