Kalanilayam Kunchunni

🪔 About

Kalanilayam Kunchunni, born on January 15, 1951, is a distinguished Kathakali Chenda artist and educator from Kerala, India. His parents are Kunchu Tharakan and Ammukutty Amma. After completing his 6th standard education, he embarked on his intensive training in Chenda, a traditional percussion instrument integral to Kathakali, at the Iringalakuda Unnayivarrier Smaraka Kalanilayam. His comprehensive education included a four-year Diploma, a two-year Post Graduate program, and two years of practical training. Kunchunni honed his skills under the tutelage of renowned gurus such as Kalamandalam Damodaran Nair and Kalamandalam Appu Marar. Throughout his career, Kalanilayam Kunchunni has been an active performer, participating in numerous Kathakali performances across India and internationally, including Italy. He notably performed Chenda at the Bombay Apna Utsav. Beyond his performance career, Kunchunni has dedicated himself to teaching, serving as a teacher and later as the Principal at Kalanilayam. His contributions to the art form have been recognized with awards, including the first prize in a Chenda competition organized by 'Kanchi Kamakoti Peedhathipathi' and the Chalakudy Nambissan Smaraka Award in 2004. He is married to Kunjilakshmi and has two children, Dhanya and Divya. Awards & Honours: First prize in Chenda competition, Chalakudy Nambissan Smaraka Award (2004).