Thrissur: Despite constant reassurances from various levels that art transcends gender boundaries, it is ironic that one of the most prestigious fine art institutions, Kerala Kalamandalam, has never accepted male students to study the traditional art form of Mohiniyattam.

Dr. NR. Grama Prakash, the registrar, secretary, and management member of Kalamandalam, disclosed that numerous requests to admit boys for this art form were brought up in management meetings, but no results were ever produced. This discussion gained momentum when conflicting opinions about whether or not girls should learn Kathakali were widely shared online. Veteran dancer Kalamandalam Gopi firmly supported this at the time, stating that women are capable of doing it as well.

No such strong urge or dedication was ever seen from the part of the teachers and trainers of Kalamandalam when it came to Mohiniyattam. 

Many institutions, like R.L.V.College and Kalady University, started teaching boys this art form years ago. 

Kerala Kalamandalam, a deemed-to-be- university of art and culture under the Government of India, was established in 1933 while the Mohiniyattam curriculum was introduced in the 1950s. Even during that time, trainers or teachers like Kalamozhi Krishna Menon and Appuredathu Krishna Panicker were there in Kalamandalam but never encouraged admission of male students for this specific course.