K. Sankara Warrier

🪔 About

Kalamandalam Sankara Warrier is an acclaimed Indian percussionist, renowned for his mastery of the maddalam, an ethnic drum integral to the Kathakali dance-drama. Born on June 1, 1952, in Thillenkery, a village in the Kannur district of Kerala, India, to Krishna Warrier and Madhavi Warrasiar, he has significantly contributed to Indian arts and culture. Warrier began his formal training at Kalamandalam at the age of 15, where he specialized in maddalam under the tutelage of masters like Kalamandalam Appukutty Poduval and Kalamandalam Narayanan Nambeesan. Following the completion of his four-year course, he joined Kalamandalam as a first-grade maddalam teacher. In 1981, he was invited to join the FACT (Fertilizers and Chemicals of Travancore Ltd) Kathakali School in Eloor near Kochi as a maddalam teacher, a position he held for 18 years until his retirement in 2005. Throughout his career, spanning almost four decades, Sankara Warrier has been instrumental in elevating the maddalam, which was often overshadowed by the chenda, giving it a new dimension and bringing it to the forefront of Kathakali performances. He has performed extensively both within India and internationally, including in the USA and UK, thereby contributing to the global recognition of the maddalam. Beyond Kathakali, he has also been a maddalam percussionist in the classical ensemble Panchavadyam. In 2003, Warrier authored a pioneering book titled "Maddalam Enna Mangalavadyam," published with the support of his alma mater, Kalamandalam. This work is considered a comprehensive guide to understanding and playing the instrument. His dedication and artistry have earned him numerous accolades and honors from various Kathakali clubs and cultural organizations. Awards & Honours: Veera Sringala (2006).