Kirtads

The Kerala Institute for Research, Training and Development Studies of Scheduled Castes and Tribes (KIRTADS), is a government organisation situated in Chevayur, about seven kilometres from the city. The institute works towards the development of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes by engaging in research and undertaking studies to identify problems faced by these marginalised sections of the society and by suggesting recommendations for their uplift.

The institute was established in 1972 as Tribal Research and Training Centre and later converted to KIRTADS in 1979. The three separate departments – training wing, research wing and development studies wing – work towards conserving tribal history, assist students in research, conduct studies and come out with suggestions and recommendations to address the problems of these weaker sections. The institute also houses a reference library with books on anthropology and sociology, an Ethnological Museum and a Documentation Centre of the Art forms of Scheduled communities.

KIRTADS also documents and maintains records on the developmental work done by the government towards the upliftment of indigenous groups. Seminars, meetings and so on are also conducted by KIRTADS regularly and they bring out a newsletter in English. A lot of ethnographic studies and research findings have also been published in both English and Malayalam by KIRTADS.

Ethnological Museum

The museum, established in 1973, aims at the collection and showcasing of a wide range of artefacts related to tribal culture.

The exhibits here include costumes, jewellery, household utensils, nets and traps, bows and arrows, musical instruments, wood carvings and so on used by the indigenous community. There are also miniature models of tribal huts. The herbarium collection of preserved tribal medicinal plant specimens provides an insight into the healthcare methods and common medicines used by tribals.

Agricultural tools and ceremonial paraphernalia of all tribal communities in Kerala can be seen here. It also displays anthropological collections of tribals from neighbouring states. Costumes of various performing arts and handicrafts that have been made by members of the Scheduled Tribes are other exhibits that lure visitors. All these exhibits help researchers study the tribal culture. Information about tribal music and journals are also preserved here.

The Kerala Institute for Research, Training and Development Studies of Scheduled Castes and Tribes (KIRTADS), which promotes folk art and culture, has started Adikalakedram that aims at the revival of these art forms. Apart from cultural performing art forms, it also on reviving traditions like wood carving, basketry, mat weaving, pottery etc. The folk songs and stories handed down through generations have now been recorded and documented, thanks to the initiatives of KIRTADS.

Town:: Kirtads is situated near the Vrindavan Colony at Chevayur, which is 8 kms away from Kozhikode city.
Airport:: Nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 27 km
Railway Station:: Nearest railway station is Kozhikode, about 8 km
District:: Kozhikode
Longitude:: 11.272536
Latitude:: 75.817047