Madambi Subramanian Namboothiri

🪔 About

Madambi Subramanian Namboothiri is a highly respected Indian classical musician, renowned for his profound contributions to Kathakali music. Born in 1943 in Madambi Manai, Sreekrishnapuram village, Palakkad district, Kerala, India, Namboothiri embarked on his musical journey at a young age. He initially studied music at Poomully Manai, where he was taught by eminent gurus such as Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, Kongorpilli, and Ramankutty Warrier. In 1957, at the age of 16, he joined Kerala Kalamandalam, a premier institution for performing arts, to specialize in Kathakali music, undertaking an intensive eight-year course. His principal teachers at Kalamandalam included the esteemed Kalamandalam Neelakantan Nambeesan, Kalamandalam Sivaraman Nair, and Kavungal Madhava Panicker. Lakkidi Sivaraman Nair further instructed him in providing musical accompaniment for traditional invocatory dances like Thodayam and Purappad. After completing his training, Namboothiri served briefly as a trainee-instructor at Perur Gandhi Sevas Sadanam before returning to Kalamandalam in 1969 as a Kathakali music instructor. He dedicated decades to teaching and performing, retiring from Kalamandalam in 1998. Madambi Subramanian Namboothiri is celebrated as a purist in Kathakali music, known for his unwavering commitment to preserving the traditional purity and distinctive character of the art form. He consciously resisted the experimental trends introduced by some of his contemporaries in the 1960s and 1970s, maintaining the conventional sensibilities of his gurus. His mastery extends to wielding the chengila (metallic gong) with a unique style. His significant contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious accolades. He received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2017 for his contribution to Kathakali, the highest national recognition for performing artists in India. Other notable awards include the Kerala State Kathakali Award in 2018, the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award in 2010, and the Kerala Kalamandalam Award, along with the Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon Smaraka Puraskaram. He settled in Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur district, after his retirement. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2017), Kerala State Kathakali Award (2018), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (2010), Kerala Kalamandalam Award, Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon Smaraka Puraskaram.