Kalamandalam Vasu Pisharody

🪔 About

Kalamandalam Vasu Pisharody (1943-2022) was a highly acclaimed Indian Kathakali actor, celebrated for his profound contributions to the classical dance-drama of Kerala. Born on August 15, 1943, in Kongad, Palakkad district, Kerala, he began his Kathakali journey after completing his primary education up to the 7th standard. His initial training was under Balakrishnan Nair at Kerala Kalalayam in Ottapalam for one year. Subsequently, he joined P.S.V. Natyasangham in Kottakkal, where he studied for three years under the tutelage of Padma Shri Vazhenkada Kunchu Nair. Pisharody continued his advanced studies for seven years at Kerala Kalamandalam, also under Kunchu Nair, and further refined his art with guidance from esteemed gurus like Padma Bhushan Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair and Kalamandalam Padmanabhan Nair. He completed his formal Kathakali education in 1969, including two years with a Central Government Scholarship. Pisharody began his teaching career as a temporary instructor at Kerala Kalamandalam and also taught in Kalari schools managed by the Guruvayur Kathakali Club until 1979. In 1979, he rejoined Kerala Kalamandalam as a permanent faculty member, eventually becoming the Head of the Department of Kathakali Vesham and later its Vice-Principal, a position he held until his retirement in March 1999. Pisharody was renowned for his mastery across a diverse range of Kathakali roles, excelling in virtuous 'pachcha' characters such as Nalan and Bahukan, anti-hero 'Kathi' roles like Ravanan and Keechakan, and semi-realistic 'minukku' roles including Brahmanan and Parashuraman. His performances of Nalan, Bahukan, Arjunan, Bhiman, Dharmaputrar, Rugmangadan, Narakaasuran, Ravanan, Parashuraman, and Brahmanan were considered masterpieces. He performed extensively across India and in approximately 20 foreign countries. Pisharody authored "Ranganaishadham," an acting manual that is considered a valuable asset to the dance-drama form. He passed away on December 1, 2022, at his home in Kongad, at the age of 79. Awards & Honours: Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Kerala Kalamandalam Award (1998), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (2003), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship (2020), Fellowship from Central Human Resources Development Ministry, Kerala Kalamandalam Fellowship (2010), Shri Pattikkamthodi Puraskar, Shri Pattikkamthodi Puraskar, Olappamanna Devi Puraskar, Kalamandalam Krishnan Kutty Podhuval Puraskar, Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair Kalyanikkuty Amma Puraskar, Veerashrinkhala, Puraskar, Kerala State Kathakali Award (2012), Vazhenkada Kunju Nair Samasthuthi Samman.