Kalamandalam Mohan Krishnan Poduval

🪔 About

Kalamandalam Mohanakrishnan Poduval, born on February 17, 1959, is a renowned Indian classical musician specializing in Kathakali Music. Hailing from a family deeply rooted in the arts, he is the son of the late Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Poduval, a celebrated Kathakali percussionist, and Radha Poduvalsiar. His early musical inclinations were nurtured by his grandmother, the late Parvathy (Ammukutty) Poduvalsiar, herself a distinguished Carnatic musician, who provided him with his foundational lessons. Mohanakrishnan pursued formal training in Kathakali Music at the esteemed Kerala Kalamandalam from 1970 to 1976, where he was notably the youngest student to join the program at that time. During his studies, he had the privilege of learning under legendary Kathakali musicians, including the great Kalamandalam Neelakandhan Nambeesan. He further honed his skills through training and practice with veteran artists such as Kalamandalam Gangadharan, Kalamandalam Subrahmanian Namboothiri (Madambi), and Ramankutty Warrier. Following his formal course, he undertook a two-year gurukulam, gaining extensive stage experience under the guidance of Kalamandalam Sankaran Embranthiri. In 1978, at the behest of the late Kalamandalam Unnikrishna Kurup, Mohanakrishnan relocated to Kolkata, where he actively performed on numerous stages. He later joined Viswa Bharathi University (Sangeeth Bhavan) as an Assistant Lecturer in Kathakali Music, contributing to the academic propagation of the art form. Throughout his career, he has performed as a main and supporting singer alongside many of Kathakali's most eminent artists, including Padmashree Late Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair, Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair, and his own father, Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Poduval. His international engagements include multiple invitations to the UK with a Kathakali troupe led by Kalamandalam Vijayakumar and Barbara, and participation in workshops organized by Center Ocean Stream. He continues to be recognized as a renowned vocalist in the Kathakali tradition. His wife, Latha Poduval, is also involved in classical dance as a teacher and performer at Santiniketan.