The Kairali Kalakendram is dedicated as a tribute to the legacy of Kalamandalam Sumathi, our patron and her single-handed contributions to Indian classical dance. A celebrated doyenne of Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam and Kuchipudi, she started her dance studies under the guidance of the legendary Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma and continued her advanced studies under the guidance of the renowned Thrippunithura Vijayabhanu.

She graduated in Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam from the Kerala Kalamandalam School. Wanting to better her knowledge and skills, she enrolled for tutelage with Thanjavur Rajarathinam Pillai, a famously popular exponent of Bharatanatyam and later pursued Kuchipudi under the guardianship of Kalamandalam Susheela of Andhra Pradesh. She set up the Natyalaya School of Classical Dances at Perumbavoor in 1964 and teaches there even to this day.