About Me.....

Sadanam Krishnankutty Nair

Childhood

Born on the, 9th November, 1941 to late Pilassery Ravunni Nair and Kizhakkeppattu Janaki Amma in the traditional Nair family at Cherpulassery in Ottappalam Thaluk of Palakkad district in Kerala.

Education

Passed Elementary School Leaving Certificate examination with first class from N.N.N.M.H.E.School, Karalmanna, Palakkad in the year 1956; E.S.L.C., during those days, was the primary requirement for services.

Into Kathakali                          

Since childhood he could recognize in him a deep interest for Kathakali and hence, immediately after passing out he decided to totally commit himself to Kathakali and develop career as a Kathakali artist. Got admission in the Gandhi Seva Sadanam Kathakali Academy in Perur district, Palakkad, at the age of 15 in the year 1956.

Maestros of those years viz.Guru Kottakkal Krishnankutty Nair and Guru Kottakkal Sankara Narayanan Embranthiry imparted initial training in him. Subsequently, since 1957, underwent vigorous training by Guru Thekkinkattil Ravunny Nair, the first disciple of ‘Parama Achaarya’ Pattikkamthody Ravunny Menon, for six years.

During 1961, the second Kendra Sangeet Natak Academy award for Kathakali was bestowed upon Guru Thekkinkattil Ravunny Nair. On the esteemed occasion, was selected to accompany the Guru to Delhi and also perform Kathakali with him, enacting the important character of ‘Arjuna’ in ‘Santhanagopalam’.

Higher studies in Kathakali

The first recognition was selection for Scholarship from Government of India in 1962, That was not an easy process during those years. He was the second candidate in the history of Kathakali to get scholarship for higher studies. Since Guru Ravunni Nair was having old age problems, he was advised by the Guru to go for higher studies under Padmashree Guru Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair; it continued for three rigorous years.

Also got training under the all-time great Kootiyattam maestro Padmashree Guru Maani Madhava Chakyar in ‘Rasabhinaya’ (facial gestures) and ‘Nethrabhinaya’ (eye gestures).

Maturing as maestro

After completing the studies in Kathakali with first class and also the higher studies with Government of India scholarship, was already getting recognized as a virtuous Kathakali actor all over Kerala. Particular having exceptional capabilities to enact all the important segments viz-Pacha,Kathi,Kari,Thadi and Minukku, with equal authority.

Transformation as Guru

Although, since 1969, he would reasonably extend training in Kerala Kalamandalam, Gandhi Seva Sadan, Unnayi Warier Smaraka Kalanilayam, Kathakali school (Kollam) and Bharatiya Nrithya Kalamandir(Patna), he could not find it to be sufficing the artist in him as he was more frequently wanted as an actor.

Important Disciples

Kalanilayam Gopalakrishnan

(Retd.Principal, Kalanilayam Kathakali School)

Kalamandalam Ramachandran Unnithan

Kalanilayam Balakrishnan

(Principal, Gandhi Seva Sadan Kathakali Academy)

Kalamandalam Gopalakrishnan

(Retd.professor, Kerala Kalamandalam)

Kalamandalam Haridas

(Former Head of the department, R.L.V.Academy)

Kalanilayam Gopi

(Head of the department, Kalanilayam Kathakali School)

Late Kalanilayam Mohankumar

(Teacher, Kalanilayam Kathyakali School)

Abroad

Scherge (France)

Michel lestrahen (France)

Bavo (Germany)

Tomoye Tara Irino (Japan)

Foreign tours

In 1974, was invited for the first time to represent Kathakali through workshops and stage performances to France for six months. There onwards, it became a regular requirement through similar forums in other countries too, that has continued for more than 30 times now. The key undertakings were…

Country visited                                                    year

France                                                                  1974   

Italy                                                                     1981

Italy                                                                     1982

Italy                                                                     1984

Germany                                                              1985

Germany                                                              1986

Italy                                                                     1989

Italy                                                                     1990

Denmark                                                              1991

Italy                                                                     1992

France                                                                  1992

Italy                                                                     1994

Italy                                                                     1996

Singapore                                                            1996

France                                                                  1997

Japan                                                                   2000

France                                                                  2002

Malaysia                                                              2003

U.S.A.                                                                  2005

England                                                               2006

U.A.E.                                                                 2008

U.A.E.                                                                 2009

U.A.E.                                                                 2010

U.A.E.                                                                 2012

Venturing through multi-characters

Has all along been an artist capable of conceiving any number of characters with every differentiation and hence could enact leading characters in more than 25 new stories.  Even today, he is in the process of adding such feathers into Kathakali every year. Specific mentions:

Illiad, King Lear, Julius Ceasor, Kanya bali, Bhishma Prathinja,Amba, Uttara Rama Charitham, Mahi Ravana charitham, Lakshmanaputhri, Rugmivadham, Karnaparvam, Sapamochanam, Karna Charitham,Sathi Sulochana,Syamanthakam, Devayani garvabhangam,Vamanavijayam, Bheema Bandhanam, David Vijayam,  Dharmasasta Charitham, Sarayu Pravesam, Dasamukha Ravanan, Ekalavya Charitham,  Paanchali Mahathmyam.

Inventing new characters

Has been possessive of an innovative mind that led to inventing 11 new characters, added into Kathakali in the most suitable manner. Those are:

Varaha  in Varaha Charitam

Guha   in Paaduka Pattabhishekam

Bhadrakaali in Darikavadham

Saneeswara in Navagrahapuranam

Subrahmania in Navagrahapurana

Yakshy in Devi Mahatmym

Naranathu Bhrantha in Naranathu Bhranthan

Sunaka in Sivanarayaneeyam

Himavan in Kumarasambhavam

Kamadeva in Kumarasambhavam

Vasantha in Kumarasambhavam.

The extent to which he is possessive of character is reflected in a very specific and bold decision to re-introduce the olden ‘Parasurama’ that was lost for almost sixty years.

Other exposure

The glitters in Kathakali created an opportunity to enact the important character of ‘Kelu’ in the Malayalam film ‘Marattam’, directed by G. Aravindan, winner of state, national and international awards; The story written by Padmabhushan Kavalam Narayana Paniker, the famous poet and dramatist, and cinematographed by Padmashree Shaji N. Karun.

Social Recognition

There have been several celebrations by different public forums and otherwise to add to his receptivity as an evergreen Kathakali artist. To mention a few important ones’:

On receiving ’Kalaratna’ award in March 1997 at Irinjalakuda… when all the leading personalities from all walks of life participated. And increased warmth with Kathakali.

People of his native place Cherpulassery extending ‘Veera Srumkhala’in February 1998…when all the important personalities, Public as well as from the Kathakali world came together; the 24 hours’ function was inaugurated by the then Minister of State for Culture.

On the eve of 60th birthday, in November 2002 a similar function with extensive participation of leading people was organized at Irinjalakuda by the Kathakali lovers from all over Kerala, when a ’Keerti Phalakam’ was presented.

Completion of 50 years of stage performances in Kathakali brought another extensive reception, this time from all over the world. The function was organized in January 2007 at Irinjalakuda, exclusively by all the Kathakali lovers on the occasion, the second ‘Veera Srumkhala’ was awarded.

For the first time ever recognition from the heights,’Kathakali Ratnam’bestowed by His Highness Kanchi Kamakoty Peetadhipathy Jagadguru Jayendra Saraswathy Swamigal, in person, at Guruvayoor in January 2011.

 Once again the native place Cherpulassery honoured him on the occasion of his 70th birth anniversary in February 2012 with a  ‘Swarna Mudra’, participated by many leading personalities from the film world too.

The most prestigious one, extended to any classical artist in Kerala while still performing, being the ‘Sapthathy’ celebration in March 2012…It was a grand ceremony that witnessed four days’ extensive and exceptional sessions…organized by the Irinjalakuda Municipal Council. It was the first of its kind when all the political forums ensured presence. And all the leading classical artforms of southern India were represented. On the occasion apart from direct submission of respects by hundreds of people, a ‘Swarna Haaram’ was presented.

Family

Wife                        :   Ambika C.Nair

Son                         :   Vinodkumar.C

Daughter                :   Kalakshetra Vineetha

Settled at:

Krishnasadanam (H)

Peshkar Road, Irinjalakuda

Thrissur district, Kerala, India

Pin-680121

Phone  : 0480 2828323

 Mob    : 9447673457

E-mail  : sadanamkrishnankutty@gmail.com

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