Dr. Jolly Mathew

🪔 About

Dr. Jolly Mathew is a distinguished Indian classical dancer, choreographer, and guru, widely recognized for his pioneering contributions to Mohiniyattam as a male performer. He holds an MA in Mohiniyattam from RLV College of Music and Dance, Tripunithura (M G University), and an MA in Bharatanatyam from Kalai Kaveri College of Fine Arts, Trichy (Bharathidasan University). His training in Mohiniyattam was under the tutelage of the revered guru Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma, who also served as his mentor. Dr. Mathew is notably the first male Mohiniyattam dancer to be awarded the Senior Fellowship from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. He garnered significant media attention for his innovative staging of "Pakarnnattam," a male rendition of Mohiniyattam, in Thrissur. This unique presentation employed the technique of a single actor embodying multiple roles, drawing inspiration from traditional Kerala theatre forms such as Koodiyattam and Kathakali. His choreographic repertoire includes the Biblical narrative of Job from the Old Testament, which was telecast by Doordarshan in 1998, alongside other productions like "Crucifixion of Christ," "Mary Magdalene," and "Abraham's Sacrifice." A crowning achievement in his career was the presentation of the 108 Karanas with slokas from the Natyasastra at the Kerala Fine Arts Hall, Ernakulam. Since 1990, Dr. Jolly Mathew has been actively conducting regular classes and currently directs the Swatithirunal Trust in Thiruvankulam near Tripunithura, where approximately 200 students receive training in both Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam. Awards & Honours: Senior Fellowship.