An era influencer in Kathakali Kalamandalam remembers Krishnankutty Poduval’s Birth centenary celebration As well as Kalasagar award ceremony was also held on May 28

Vallabhanaya chenda player, Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Poduval, who turned the monstrous chenda into a nectar-flowing divine instrument, celebrated the birth centenary of the great genius who left his signature in all fields of Kathakali, on May 28 at Kalamandalam Nila Campus by Kalasagar in collaboration with the Kerala Kalamandalam and the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

Shri Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan (Convenor Janma Shatabdhi Celebration Committee) welcomed the awardees, audience, dignitaries, artists and journalists to the commemoration meeting which started at 5 pm on Tuesday, May 28. Author and art critic Dr. NP Vijayakrishnan delivered the introductory speech of the celebration program. The memorial meeting was presided over by Padmashri Mattannur Shankarankutty Marar (Chairman Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy) and Dr. KG Paulose, former Vice-Chancellor, Kerala Kalamandalam inaugurated the commemorative meeting Sri V Kaladharan (art critic, ex-Deputy Registrar, Kerala Kalamandal) was the keynote speaker at the venue graced by the distinguished presence of Shri KB Raj Anand (Dean of Kalamandalam, Member of Kalamandalam Bharana Samiti, Kathakali Critic, Chairman Vazhengada Kunchu Nair Trust). Shri Kalamandalam Narayanan Nair, Shri Aniyan Mangalassery (President, Irinjalakuda Kathakali Club), Shri Muralidharan Master (President Chalakudy Kathakali Club) commemorated Poduval through a memorial lecture.

Dr. NP Vijayakrishnan introduced this year’s Kalasagar awardees to the audience. Shri Vellinezhi Anand (Joint Secretary Kalasagar) delivered the vote of thanks along with his memorial speech. On the occasion, presented the 2024 Kalasagar Awards to artists who have demonstrated excellence in various fields of art. Rajan Poduva, Kalasagar, Secretary, said that the awardees have been selected on the basis of nominations from art connoisseurs.

In the Kuchelavrittam Kathakali which was held after the award presentation, Sri Kalanilayam Unnikrishnan and Sri Nedumpulli Rammohanan rendered music with devotional spirit while Kathakali’s evergreen Padma Shri Dr. Kalamandalam Gopi dressed up as Kuchelan, Dr. Sadanam Krishnankutty as Sri Krishna, and Sri Kalluvahi Vasu as Rukmini. Sri Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan and Sri Kalamandalam Narayanan Nair played the melam while Kalamandalam Sivaraman Chutti and cosume for the kathakali by the Kerala Kalamandalam.