Korattikkara Krishna Panicker

🪔 About

Korattikkara Krishna Panicker was a renowned Nattuvan (dancing master) who played a pivotal role in the revival and development of Mohiniyattam, an Indian classical dance form. Hailing from Korattikkara, he joined Kerala Kalamandalam in 1938, alongside Madhavi Amma, to teach Mohiniyattam. During his tenure at Kalamandalam, he was instrumental in shaping the Mohiniyattam curriculum and repertoire. He accompanied dances on the Elattalam, a percussion instrument. Krishna Panicker's teaching significantly influenced the next generation of Mohiniyattam dancers, most notably Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma, who was persuaded by Vallathol Narayana Menon to learn Mohiniyattam during this period and became his direct disciple. The repertoire taught by Krishna Panicker included traditional items such as cholkettu, jatiswaram in Bhairavi, varnam in Yadukula Kamboji, padam in Punnagavarali, and tillana in Arabhi. He also taught the older forms of slokam and saptam, which were no longer commonly performed. Krishna Panicker and Madhavi Amma left Kalamandalam in 1941 due to age-related ailments. His contributions were crucial in re-establishing Mohiniyattam's social acceptance and ensuring its continuity as a classical art form.