Adi Shankaracharya is reported to have been born in Kalady,Kerala.
But to my knowledge there seems to be no reference of the birth place during Shankara’s Times or in his contemporary works.
Then how Kalady has been determined as the birth place of Shankaracharya?
This seems to be a controversial issue.

"Further in case the kanchi mutt relied on chidambaram as adi > sankara's birth place then why do they have a adi sankara sthupi at kaladi - > it should have been at chidambaram. Also why are they celebrating the > sankara jayanthi at kaladi instead of chidambaram ? Please forward facts > instead of fiction." > > Kaladi was unknown to the world until Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava > Nrsimha Bharati Mahaswamigal, the 33rd Peetadhipathi of Sringeri Sharada > Peetam, discovered it in 1910 and consecrated shrines for Sri Adi Shankara, > Sri Sharadambal and Sri Aryambal there. Only in the latter part of the 1900s > did the Kanchi Mutt construct the Keerthi Sthambam in Kaladi. If kaladi was unknown to the world then from the time of birth of adi sankara to the time of the 33rd acharya of sringeri peetam, all the previous acharyas of the sringeri, dwarka, jyotir mutt, kanchi must have been searching for a place called kaladi and then Lo! they were enlightened by the 33rd acarya of the sringeri peetam.
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While his achievements are eternal and unforgettable, his birthplace was forgotten by society for many centuries. In this film, we describe how Kalady was rediscovered by the 33rd Jagadguru of the Sri Sharada Peetham at Sringeri, Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Narasimha Bharati Mahaswamiji. This film takes you on a visual journey of Kalady from the time of Sri Shankara’s parents, his birth and the miraculous events of his childhood. It also chronicles a contemporary history of Kalady, including the various landmarks and temples associated with his life. The film contains fascinating interviews with ordinary people, former rulers and spiritual leaders who were all influenced by this great philosopher. Through beautiful and heart-stopping images of nature, people and temples, this film provides an unforgettable experience of what Sri Shankara’s life may have been like, and how he touched the lives of Kalady’s residents over the centuries.
Speaking in lucid Sanskrit, Jagadguru, Sri Bharati TirthaMahaswamiji, the current and 36th Acharya of DakshinamnayaSri Sharada Peetham at Sringeri, enlightens us about the life of Sri Shankaracharya and the rediscoverer of Kalady – the 33rd Jagadguru. The 33rd Jagadguru instituted the now internationally observed Shankara Jayanti celebrations and was instrumental in bringing about the first-ever publication of the complete works of Sri Shankaracharya.
This documentary is dedicated to this reveredMahaswamiji, the 33rd Jagadguru of Sringeri. It is solely due to his untiring efforts that the glory of Kalady and its special place in the legacy of Sri Shankaracharya has been preserved for the world.
Released in Kalady on May 18th 2010, during theCentenary Celebrations to mark the consecration of the temples for Sri Adi Shankaracharya and Goddess Sharada at Kalady.
Watch the Film in the Link:
Citation.
http://www.advaita-vedanta.org/archives/advaita-l/2006-October/017626.html http://www.kaladyfilm.com/


