S.R.V. Music School, Thrissur first music school in Kerala survived closure

Sree Rama Varma coll. of music and performing arts, Thrissur, en.wikipedia.org

Sree Rama Varma Music School, also known as S.R.V. Music School in Thrissur city in Kerala, India  has the rare credit of being the first ever  music school of Kerala state.  Upgraded  in 2016 as a music college with the name of S.R.V. (Sree Rama Varma) Govt. College Of Music And Performing Arts, it was established on

19 July 1910 by

Rama Varma XV, Maharajah of Cochin,en.wikipedia.org

Rama Varma XV, Maharajah of Cochin. Earlier, the purpose of this school was to train women  of Cochin Royal Family in Indian classical music with special reference to Carnatic music with talented music teachers. When taken over by the government, it came under the Government Model Girls’ Higher Secondary School. In July 2010, the school celebrated its anniversary.  

Several years ago, the Kerala government had a plan to close down this school citing that there are better facilities for higher studies of music elsewhere in the state than here. In 2012, it faced  near closure. The arbitrary decision taken by the government invited  large protests from   social activists, politicians, music directors of Malayalam films besides a number of musicians, art-cultural-social activists. The strike/darna was held under the leadership of  Prof. K.B.Unnithan with support from   Vidhyadharan Master, the famous music director of Malayalam films. The students and patrons of the school  played no less role in the strike against the termination of this old music school. A  memorandum was submitted to  CM Oommen Chandy regarding SRV music school termination. 

.Thirussur, Kerala location map,google.com

Later, as usual the government put the memorandum in the back burner and did not take any step to continue the music school. Subsequently, several  memoranda  were submitted to the  members of Kerala  State Assembly, including chief minister Oommen Chandy, education minister P. K. Abdu Rabb, and other  ministers of Kerala and MPs.  One Sathish Kalathil, the trust chairman worked hard  to keep the music school alive.  After sustained efforts, this issue of  upgrading the school as a college, was discussed in the  Assembly and the Education Minister had promised to look into this matter. Finally, a commission was appointed by the government under the direction ofProf. M. Balasubrahmanyam. Based on the report by the commission,  the termination of S.R.V Music School was withdrawn and the school was upgraded as a music college.

SRV  coll. of music and perf. arts, Thrissur, keralaen.wikipedia.org

The school offers the Senior Music Certificate course. A pass in the  SSLC examination or its equivalent  is a must for admission.  The syllabus for the Certificate Course is on par with that of  the B.A. Music course. Certificate holders are eligible for the appointment as a teacher in government schools. Thousands of alumni of this school  are working in various schools, etc across Kerala. As for college courses, four courses are being offered here with only 10 students for each course. The college is affiliated to Calicut University.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sree_Rama_Varma_Music_School
"Thrissur music school celebrates centenary". The Hindu. 5 February 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
"Music show for school upgradation". The Hindu. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
"Prof.M.Balasubrahmanyan, The Special Officer". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 25 April 2015.