Knowledge & Resources
The Kalithattu Library
A curated collection of books, journals, recordings and resources on Kerala arts, classical traditions and living culture
A Living Archive
The Kalithattu Library is a dedicated resource centre for artists, researchers, students and curious minds. Our collection spans classical texts, performance documentation, folk traditions and contemporary cultural scholarship.
Open to all members and visiting researchers, the library offers a quiet space for study alongside a growing digital archive of recordings, photographs and manuscripts.
Browse by Subject
Our Collections
Performing Arts
1,200+ itemsBooks, journals and notation manuscripts on Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Koodiyattam, Theyyam and classical music traditions.
Visual Arts & Craft
480+ itemsMonographs, exhibition catalogues and field studies on Kerala mural painting, Aranmula mirror craft, coir weaving and traditional architecture.
Literature & Poetry
860+ itemsMalayalam literature, Sanskrit texts, folk poetry collections and translations spanning centuries of the written and oral tradition.
Film & Media
320+ itemsScreenplays, critical essays and documentary recordings from Kerala's celebrated parallel cinema movement and contemporary filmmakers.
History & Culture
640+ itemsEthnographic studies, travelogues, temple records and scholarly works on the social and cultural history of Kerala.
Digital Archive
5,000+ itemsDigitised recordings of rare performances, oral histories, festival documentation and photographic collections from the past century.
Reading Room Hours
Members enjoy extended access and borrowing privileges. Researchers may request special access by appointment.
Access the Full Collection
Become a member to borrow books, access the digital archive and attend exclusive library talks and reading circles.
Explore Membership