Nepathya Yadukrishnan

🪔 About

Nepathya Yadukrishnan is a leading exponent and teacher of Koodiyattam, an ancient Sanskrit theatre form from Kerala, India, recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. He is a prominent figure at the Nepathya Centre for Excellence in Koodiyattam, located in Moozhikkulam, a village near Angamaly in central Kerala. He leads the training at Nepathya alongside his wife, Indu G, who is also a Koodiyattam and Nangiarkoothu artiste. Yadukrishnan also serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Theatre at Sreesankaracharya University of Sanskrit in Kalady. His performances include diverse roles such as Ravana, Hanuman, Lord Rama, Samvaranan, Lakshmana, and Kapali in various Koodiyattam productions. He is noted for his sensitive abhinaya (expressive acting) and ability to switch roles with ease. Yadukrishnan and the Nepathya team are dedicated to preserving and promoting the high classical style associated with the Ammanur tradition. The institution actively works on reviving lost Koodiyattam texts; for instance, Yadukrishnan authored a new attaprakaram (acting manual) for Bhasa's "Pratimanatakam". Nepathya also employs modern approaches like projecting subtitles during performances to make the art form more accessible to wider audiences. Awards & Honours: Sanskriti National Award, Kerala Kalamandalam Award.