RLV College of Music and Fine Arts, Tripunithura

RLV College of Music and Fine Arts is located in Thripunithura, Kochi, Kerala, India. It is affiliated to the Mahatma Gandhi University and offers graduate and postgraduate courses in music, performing arts, and visual arts. The institution originated in a single apartment of the Cochin Royal family, where the King, Kerala Varma Midukkan Thampuran, and his wife Lakshmikutty Nethyaramma invited experts to teach stitching, Kaikottikkali, and painting to girls and elder ladies. This grew into an institution named Radha Lakshmi Vilasam Academy, after the King's daughter Radha and wife Lakshmi, later incorporating vocal music. In 1956, the Government of Kerala took control, renaming it RLV Academy of Music and Fine Arts, and introduced Diploma and Post Diploma courses in vocal music, Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, and painting. In 1998, it became affiliated with Mahatma Gandhi University, restructuring its diploma courses into degree and postgraduate programs. The college has faculties of Music, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts, with departments such as Vocal, Veena, Violin, Mridangam, Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kathakali, Chenda, Painting, Sculpture, and Applied Arts. Notable alumni include K. J. Yesudas and Thiruvizha Jayashankar.