Sadanam Krishnakutty

🪔 About

Sadanam Krishnankutty, born on October 27, 1941, in Cherpulassery, Palakkad district, Kerala, India, is a legendary performer and guru of Kathakali, the classical dance-drama form of Kerala. Hailing from a modest family with no direct artistic lineage, his early fascination with Kathakali led him to leave school after the eighth standard to pursue the art form full-time. He began his formal training in 1956 at the Sadanam Kathakali Akademi (Gandhi Seva Sadan) in Perur, near Ottapalam, Palakkad district, where he underwent rigorous training for nearly a decade. His esteemed gurus included Thekkinkattil Ravunni Nair, Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair (a master of the Kalluvazhi school), Kottakkal Krishnankutty Nair Ashan, and Kottakkal Shankaranarayanan Embranthiri Ashan. He also received specialized training in eye exercises and Rasa-Abhinaya from the Koodiyattam maestro Mani Madhava Chakyar. Krishnankutty made his debut performance (arangetram) in 1957, portraying Krishna in the story 'Kalyanasougandhikam'. Throughout his illustrious career, he has been celebrated for his versatility and immense physical stamina, excelling in a wide range of Kathakali characters, including noble heroes (Pachha), anti-heroes (Kathi), demons (Kari), sages and women (Minukku), and saintly or demonic characters (Thaadi). He is credited with innovating 11 new characters in the dance form and courageously portraying the Parasurama Character. Beyond performing, Krishnankutty has also contributed significantly as a teacher, with brief stints as a Kathakali tutor at institutions like Kerala Kalamandalam, Unnayi Varier Smaraka Kalanilayam in Irinjalakuda, and Kala Mandir in Patna. He served as a professor in Kathakali at Viswabharathi University, Santhinikethan, Bengal, from 1989 to 1994, and currently works as a teacher educator at GSSTTI Perur. He is the current secretary of Gandhi Seva Sadanam Kathakali Academy and the Principal of Kalasadanam, a cultural organization dedicated to Indian classical arts. Sadanam Krishnankutty has performed extensively both in India and internationally, including tours across Europe and the former Soviet Union. He currently resides in Irinjalakuda, Thrissur district. Awards & Honours: Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (2002), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2007), Kalamandalam Fellowship, Honorary D.Litt (2021), Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (2021), Kerala State Kathakali Award, Rajahamsam, National Award for Best Teacher (2013), Senior Fellowship (2016), Kalasree State Award (2015), Kathakali Acharya, Outstanding Young Indian National Award, Honourable mention award for sculpture, Veerasrinkhala.