The Kerala Folklore Academy was established at Chirakkal in Kannur in 1995 by the Government of Kerala and functions under the aegis of the Cultural Affairs Department. Its mission is to promote and preserve the traditional art forms of Kerala. It helps promote all ritual art forms of Kerala.
Some of the activities of the academy are designed to:
- Help economically and physically handicapped folk artists
- Provide training in folk arts directly or through grants to institutions that provide such training
- Collect, document, record and publish information, stories, traditions and other aspects related to folk arts
- Sponsor and conduct festivals for folk arts
- Establish a folklore museum, library and archives on folklore
- Publish books, journals, directories and other material related to folklore
The Academy's museum has a vast collection of artifacts related to folk arts including life size models of theyyams and patayani, and musical instruments. It also has a collection of farm implements, weapons, utensils, photographs – all related to folk arts.
The academy functions from a nalukettu (traditional house of Kerala) on the banks of the scenic Chirakkal lake.