Digital University Kerala, in collaboration with the Department of Culture, is developing interactive portals aimed at bringing Kerala’s unique art forms under a single umbrella and showcasing them to global audiences.

The agreement was signed in the presence of the Honorable Minister for Cultural Affairs, Shri Saji Cherian, and the Honorable Vice Chancellor of Digital University Kerala, Prof. Saji Gopinath. The MoU was formally executed by Dr. Divya S. Iyer, Director of Culture, and Prof. A. Mujeeb, Registrar of Digital University Kerala.

Dr. Malu G., Head of the Centre for Digital Transformation in Culture (CDTC) and Assistant Professor at the School of Computer Science and Engineering; Prof. Elizabeth Shirley, Emeritus Professor; Shri Manu C. Pulikkan, Personal Secretary to the Minister; Smt. Rajani M., Joint Secretary, Department of Culture; and Smt. Sushama Bhai S., Administrative Officer of the Directorate of Culture were also present on the occasion.

The collaboration will be implemented through the Centre for Digital Transformation in Culture (CDTC) at Digital University Kerala. The initiative focuses on building digital infrastructure for the documentation, research, and dissemination of Kerala’s cultural heritage while creating opportunities for artists and scholars.

At the heart of the project is a digital initiative titled Kerala’s Living Heritage: A Digital Journey, which integrates advanced technologies with traditional cultural knowledge. The platform brings together a wide spectrum of cultural elements, including performing arts, folklore, tribal traditions, landscapes associated with artistic communities, costumes, musical instruments, and local ecological contexts.

To enrich the database, the initiative encourages public participation through a contribution portal where individuals can submit photographs and videos from private collections. These contributions will undergo expert verification to ensure accuracy and authenticity. Cultural academies, institutions under the Department of Culture, artists, and cultural practitioners will also collaborate in building this repository. The project also represents a strong interdisciplinary research effort. The centre operates under the guidance of an advisory body chaired by K. Jayakumar IAS and supported by experts from cultural, academic, and technological domains.