Venu G Chakyar

🪔 About

G. Venu, also known as Gopalan Nair Venu, is a highly esteemed Indian classical dance exponent, choreographer, research scholar, and guru, primarily recognized for his profound contributions to Koodiyattam and Kathakali. Born on July 1, 1945, in Pappanamcode, Kerala, Venu began his journey in classical arts at the age of eleven, studying Kathakali under masters like Keerickattu Sankar Pillai, Guru Gopinath, and Chengannur Raman Pillai. He was the first student to enroll at Viswakalakendram, Guru Gopinath's dance institute, in 1963. His early career included teaching Kathakali in Bhopal in 1966, where he also explored Kathak and Manipuri dance forms. A pivotal moment in his life came at age 37 when he witnessed a Koodiyattam performance by Ammannur Madhava Chakyar. Deeply influenced, he resigned from his teaching position at the School of Drama and Fine Arts, University of Calicut, and became the first non-Chakyar student to learn Koodiyattam from Guru Ammannur Madhava Chakyar in Irinjalakuda, making his Koodiyattam arangetram in 1984. Venu played a crucial role in modernizing and popularizing Koodiyattam, taking the initiative to present this traditional temple art on public stages and encouraging his guru to perform outside traditional venues. He is the founder of Natanakairali (established in July 1975) and the Ammannur Chachu Chakyar Smaraka Gurukulam (founded in 1982), both significant centers for the practice, training, and research of traditional Kerala art forms. Venu is also renowned for his extensive research, particularly in codifying mudras, which culminated in his landmark publication "Mudra" (2023), a comprehensive notation system for hand gestures in Koodiyattam, Kathakali, and Mohiniyattam. He has authored several books on Sanskrit theatre traditions and has directed numerous plays for Koodiyattam and Nangiar Koothu, including Kalidasa's "Abhijnana Shakuntalam" and "Vikramorvaseeyam". Awards & Honours: Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award (1977), Kerala Kalamandalam Award (2005), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (2007), Nikkei Asia Prize for Culture (2007), Nritha Paramacharya Award (2022), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2023), Nruthya Pitamaha (2023), Vayosevana Award for Comprehensive Contribution (2024), Kerala Kalamandalam Fellowship (2024).