Kalamandalam Krishnendu K.J.

🪔 About

Kalamandalam Krishnendu K.J. is a distinguished figure in Indian classical dance, primarily recognized for her expertise in Kutiyattam and Nangiarkuthu. She received her initial training in Kutiyattam from esteemed gurus including Shri Ramachakyar, Shri Kalamandalam Sivan Namboothiri, Shrimati Kalamandalam Girija Devi, and Shrimati Kalamandalam Shylaja. Krishnendu completed a rigorous ten-year education in Kutiyattam at Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed University, earning a Master's degree in the art form. Currently, she serves as a Guest Faculty and holds the position of Head of Department (HoD) for Kutiyattam at Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed University in Thrissur, Kerala. She is also actively pursuing her doctoral research in Kutiyattam from the same institution. With a performing career spanning over 16 years as of December 2020, Krishnendu has showcased her talent in Kutiyattam and Nangiarkuthu extensively across India and internationally. Her contributions to the art form also extend to academia, as she has published papers on various aspects of Kutiyattam. Her significant contributions to Indian classical dance have been recognized with several prestigious awards. She was honored with the K.P. Narayana Pisharody Memorial Gold Medal for Young Artists in 2011. She is also a recipient of the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar from the Sangeet Natak Akademi for her notable talent in Kutiyattam, and a National Scholarship from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. In 2020, she received the Painkulam Ramachakyar Samraka Puraskaram from Kerala Kalamandalam. Awards & Honours: K.P. Narayana Pisharody Memorial Gold Medal for Young Artists (2011), Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, National Scholarship, Painkulam Ramachakyar Samraka Puraskaram (2020).