It was the Archbishop of Verapoly Rev.Dr.Joseph Kelanthara who decided to have an institute under his diocese to foster and promote music and arts. After serious consultations with Rev.Fr.Michael Panakkal and Rev.Fr.Joseph Manakkil,who were seriously into working on devotional and liturgical music, His Grace the Archbishop gave the green signal to construct a building just behind the Kerala Times building. Thus Cochin Arts and Communications took birth in 1974. With the Archbishop as the Chief Patron and Fr. Michael as the Director the activities were initially confined to only composing and recording of devotional songs written by Varghese Maliekkal, Fr.Michael and Fr.Manakkil and tuned mainly by Job & George and Jerry Amaldev.This was done with the knowledge and approval of the Liturgical Commission of the Archdiocese.
Singers like CO Anto, J.M. Raju, Jolly Abraham, Babu Pulikkal, Freddie Pallan,Tony Pallan, Jenny Antony and Teresa were used in turns for the recordings. And the orchestra comprised musicians like K.V. Job, Emile Isaacs, Rex Isaacs, Eugene Isaacs, Manuel ME, Lipson, Joy C.P., Joby, Vichu, Murali, A.G. Varghese, A.G. John, Sasi etc.The recorded songs were copied and propagated all over the diocese.
Not so contented with the limited activities and the slow progress of the institution it was decided to expand the activities. So a full-fledged Ganamela troupe comprising professional musicians was formed in 1976.The main singers were Ramesh,Tony, Junior Mehboob, Johny, Jenny, Sushama, Mohan and Judy. The orchestra comprised musicians like Emile, Rex, Manuel, Lipson, Godwin, Charles, Francis, Keralakumar, Sebastian, Joy, Joby, Vichu, Gopi, Vijayan, Johny, Venu, Paul, Murali and Sasi.The CAC Ganamela troupe rose to fame in no time and kept busy travelling wide. For the Annual Functions reputed playback singers were also invited.The shows with P. Susheela and Vani Jayaram backed by a huge orchestra created history those days.
With Rex Isaacs as the Principal and staff members like Job master, George master, Jacob,D'Cruz, C.O. Joy, Godwin, Mani, Teresa the Academy started brimming with activity. The services of Mr.Joesph the Secretary need to be specially mentioned. Many students who passed out from the CAC turned out to be competent professionals. Violinists Sebastian and Keralakumar even shifted to Madras and joined film field playing for all the leading composers.
CAC started its own professional Audio Recording Studio in 1980 with the consultation and guidance of sound engineer Eugene Pereira. The quality of its products was so superior that even professional composers in the Devotional, Drama and Film field preferred to have their recordings there.In 1981 when Rex Isaacs left the institute his favorite student K.N Rajendran took over as the chief violin instructor and orchestra leader. Monsignore Alex Vadakkumthala had replaced Fr.Michael by then.
It was during his tenure as Director that Pope John Paul II visited Kerala.The huge choir comprising 100 singers and a 30 piece orchestra conducted by Jerry Amaldev was coordinated by CAC.