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About
Kapila Venu is a distinguished Indian classical dancer and actress, born on February 3, 1982, in Kothamangalam, Kerala, India. She is the daughter of renowned Koodiyattam exponent G. Venu and Mohiniyattam artist and researcher Nirmala Paniker. Kapila specializes in the traditional Kerala dance forms of Koodiyattam and Nangiar Koothu, and also practices…
Journey Timeline
1982
Born in Kothamangalam, Kerala.
1988
Performed a Koodiyattam role on stage in England at age six and a half.
1989
Began learning Koodiyattam at age seven.
1997
Began performing Kutiyattam and Nangiar Koothu globally.
1999
Performed a full-length Koodiyattam role in Sweden at age 17.
2000
Worked in the modern theatre production "Journey to the West" directed by Peter Oskarson.
2001
Played the lead role in her father G. Venu's adaptation of Sakunthalam for the Koodiyattam stage.
2005
Performed in "Rite of the Forest", a choreography by Min Tanaka.
2006
Received the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar.
2007
Performed in "Thottangal", a choreography by Min Tanaka.
2014
The documentary film "Kapila" about her life and work won the National Award for Best Cultural Film.
2017
Received the Kumar Gandharva Samman.
2017
Undertook "Sreekrishnacharitham Nangiar Koothu" performances in various temples in Kerala.
2025
Received the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (for the year 2024).
2025
Played the lead role of Vasantasena in the new Koodiyattam play "Mricchakatikam".
Photo Gallery
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Video Library
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Signature Performances
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Performance Map
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Awards & Honors
- 2017 · Kumar Gandharva Samman — Government of Madhya Pradesh
- 2006 · Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar — Sangeet Natak Akademi, Government of India
- 2025 · Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award — Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, Government of Kerala
- Yuva Kalabharti Award — Bharat Kalachar
- Sanskriti Award — Sanskriti Pratishthan
Media Coverage
- Kumar Gandharva Award for Koodiyattam exponent Kapila Venu
The New Indian Express
- A life less ordinary
The Hindu
- Kapila Venu's Madurai Veeran Blends Kutiyattam with Thirukkural
India Art Review
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