The Government of Kerala proposes to set up an institute of visual science and arts at Kottayam in the name of late Sri. K.R. Narayanan, former President of India under the aegis of Centre for Continuing Education Kerala (CCEK).  The institute is proposed to named as “KR Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts”,

The establishment of a film institute will only be the fulfilment of the long-felt need of the people of Kerala. At present there is no film institute under the Government of Kerala. The Governments of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Orisa have set up film institutes at Adayar, Pune, Kolkata and Cuttack respectively. These institutes have already made their mark in the film world.  Barring the Pune Film Institute, all other institutes are purely commercial ventures.  Even the Pune Institute has not been equipped to do research, and consequently those who want to pursue higher studies invariably go abroad.  This causes a drain on the country’s Foreign Exchange reserve.  It is high time the state of Kerala also had one such establishment.

Hence, if an institute of international standard like the London Film Institute is set up in Kerala, it will be of great use and help to the youngsters of our country who aspire for a career in the visual media, as they could get professional training in a field that is ever expanding, thereby enhancing their chances of employment.   With the rapid development of technology, the film field also has to be attuned to the changes.  Hence there is also a scope of re-training to the existing personnel, in addition to the aspirants, to the field.  Other than the regular programmes, the institute proposes to offer postgraduate courses and also PhD. Programmes.

The Government of Kerala has identified an ideal locale for the institute: it is a picturesque spot 30 km away from the town of Kottayam. A few acres of vacant land there can be utilised for the purpose without having to evict anybody. The local people have agreed to surrender 10 to 15 acres of land to the Government if an institute is established there.  The establishment will also boost the development of the place—Akalakkunnam, Kottayam, since the place will no longer be a sleepy, obscure village in Kerala once the institutes are established there.  The over-all beauty and charm of the place will not be affected by the construction of a few Kerala style buildings. Filmy-folks, generally taken to be lovers of Nature, will not indulge in any activity that will spoil the breath-taking beauty of this sleepy countryside.

            To make up for the grave deficiency, the state government thinks of setting up the institute, considering the immense employability chances available in the field.

            The foundation stone for the Institute is proposed to lay on January 6, 2006, by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh.

Key factors

The KR Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science & Arts is an innovative venture in professional film training for a new generation of filmmakers. It offers a breath of fresh air to film education and training in the INDIA. The Institute prides itself on being able to offer:

Phase I

1. Video Production and Programme Designing

2. Script Writing and Direction 

3. Videography and Digital Still Photography

4. Linear and Non-linear Editing & Sound Recording

5. Diploma  in Filmmaking ( One Year)

6. Introduction to Filmmaking Certificate

                      (one month full time or nine weeks part time)

7. Language of Film Certificate (one month)

8. Tailor made courses for the beginners and for those who are already working in the field without training

             a.    Visual languages and communication

             b.    Technical language for film and TV writing and directing

            c.    Professional language of cinematography, videography, editing and recording.

             d.    Editing and recording

e.       Production Orientation

f.         Airbrush Media Makeup,

g.       Editing on AVID DV Xpress,

h.       Film Research,

i.          Short Film Production,    

j.          Movie Magic Budgeting and Scheduling for Features,

k.        Introduction to Film Lighting and

l.          Composing Music for Film.

Phase II

9. Introduction of postgraduate courses

             1.    Film Direction & Screen play writing

             2.    Screen play writing and film aesthetics

             3.    3D- Animation and advanced creative process

10. Video Production and Mass media management.

11. Sound Recording and Sound Engineering

12. Acting / Dubbing and anchoring, News reading etc.

13. Master classes like Director vs. Crew

             In addition, the Institute will run a series of events open to the public, featuring Indian directing talent, as well as sessions with key practitioners in cinematography, screenwriting, editing and production.

Phase III

International Research Centre for Cinema and Television meant for PhD. in

            1. Screen play writing and Film Aesthetics

            2. Graphic Designing and Animation for audio -visual medium

Institute of Fashion Technology

            The Centre proposes to establish an Institute of Fashion Technology at Thiruvananthapuram in association with National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) an organization under the Govt. of India. 

The fashion technology related courses that Centre for Continuing Education Kerala [CCEK] intends to start are:

1.      Advanced Diploma in Fashion Designing

2.      Certificate Course in Fashion Technology

3.      Advanced Diploma in Garment Manufacturing Technology

4.      Computer-Aided fashion Designing.

NIFT conducts these courses as of two or three years’ duration. We, however, would like to conduct them on condensed syllabi and of shorter duration. The details of each of these courses as envisaged by us are furnished below:

Advanced Diploma in Fashion Designing

The directional and focussed approach to the Fashion design specialization will inculcate in the students the ability to develop and channelise creativity. They will be

kept abreast of trends in international garment design/fashion, instilling in them a capacity to understand, articulate and execute a design brief. A logical, sequential, hands-on-experience will enable the students to conceptualise designs, make patterns, drape and construct garments of impeccable quality.  

Total seats                              :           30

Duration of the course            :           one year

Classes                                   :           5 days a week

 Certificate Course in fashion Technology

The course will impart necessary training to the learners on basic inputs in areas of design and management with main emphasis on technology. It will prepare them to have adequate understanding and application of information technology in the areas mentioned above. This course will have practical and hands-on approach to machinery and equipment applications.

Total Seats                  :           30

Duration                      :           6 months

Classes                       :           5 days a week [Theory – 4 days; Practical – 1 day]

Advanced Diploma in garment Manufacturing Technology

This course will impart professional training to the candidates in order to enhance their garment sewing skills, help them gain better understanding of tailoring principles. The course will be beneficial to everyone interested in developing ‘Haute Couture’ garments; it will help them understand the latest cuts, experimenting with more complicated styles and techniques as well as acquiring a design that is ‘uniquely yours!’ 

Total Seats                  :           30

Duration                      :           one year

Classes                       :           5 days a  week

Computer-Aided Fashion Designing

The students will be taught how to design self-woven fabrics using various weaves with the help of textile-based software. They will learn to create designs for jacquard fabrics using various weaves and colours, and also make various embroideries both manually and on computers. They will learn to drape a human form using various fabrics and draping using master drape [too-based software for visual draping].

Seats                           :           20

Duration                      :           one year

Classes                       :           4 days a week