Kalamandalam Sivan Nambootiri

🪔 About

Kalamandalam Sivan Namboodiri, born in 1950 in Shornur, Palakkad, Kerala, India, is a highly acclaimed Indian classical theatre performer, primarily recognized for his mastery of Koodiyattam, the ancient Sanskrit theatre of Kerala. He is celebrated for being the first person from outside the traditional Chakyar community to learn and perform Koodiyattam in an institutional setting. Namboodiri initially joined Kerala Kalamandalam in 1965 at the age of 14 with an interest in learning Kathakali. However, under the guidance of the eminent Koodiyattam maestro Painkulam Rama Chakyar, he transitioned to Koodiyattam, becoming one of the first students in its inaugural batch. His rigorous training spanned ten years, including a six-year diploma, a two-year post-graduate course at Kerala Kalamandalam, and an advanced course in New Delhi with a scholarship from the Department of Culture, Government of India. In 1975, he joined Kerala Kalamandalam as an instructor in the Faculty of Koodiyattam, and since 1980, he has also served as a visiting professor at the School of Drama, University of Calicut. Namboodiri is also credited with being the first male performer of Nangyar Koothu, a two-thousand-year-old art form traditionally performed by women, and for introducing innovations in Koodiyattam costumes and accompanying music. A significant highlight of his career includes his performance of "Kailasoddhaaranam" and "Parvathiviraham" before a UNESCO jury in Paris, which played a crucial role in Koodiyattam being recognized as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. He has performed internationally, including at the Cologne Festival in Germany in 1980. Throughout his career, he has immortalized numerous characters, notably Ravana in "Thoranaydham" and "Jatayuvad-ham," and Bali in "Balivadham." Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (2007), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Kutiyattam (2007), Padma Shri (2012), Natyakala Ratnam (1992), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (1998), Mrinalini Sarabhai Award (1999), Margi Gold Medal, Smithsonian Institution Certificate of Appreciation, Kerala Kalamandalam Award (2004), Painkulam Rama Chakyar Smaraka Puraskaram.