The University of Kathakali – Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Poduval’s 101st Birth Anniversary Celebration – In Memory of a Legend – Kalasaagar Award Ceremony held on May 28

Kalasaagar, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, celebrated the 101st birth anniversary of Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Poduval, the legendary maestro who transformed the Chenda, once considered a demon’s drum, into a divine instrument in Kathakali music. Founder of Kalasaagar and a towering genius who left his signature in every domain of the triadic Kathakali art form, Poduval is remembered through this celebration titled “In Memory of a Legend.”

This year, honoring the recommendations of art lovers, the Kalasaagar Award Committee extended its scope beyond Kathakali performers to also honor an eminent art critic, a gesture warmly welcomed by the arts community. The award for Best Art Critic was presented to Sri. V. Kaladharan, renowned critic, orator, and former Deputy Registrar of Kerala Kalamandalam.

Every year, in memory of Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Poduval, Kalasaagar presents awards to artists who have demonstrated excellence in various fields of Kathakali. The 2025 Kalasaagar Awards were presented to the following:

Sri. Oyoor Ramachandran (Kathakali Vesham – performance)
Sri. Kalamandalam Surendran (Kathakali Music)
Sri. Keerikkad Purushothaman Panicker (Kathakali Chenda)
Sri. Kalanilayam Ramanunni Moosath (Kathakali Maddalam)
Sri. Kottakkal Satheesh S.V. (Kathakali Chutti – makeup)
The remembrance meeting and award ceremony began at 5 PM on Wednesday, May 28, at the Vazhenkada Kunchu Nair Memorial Hall. The welcome address and inaugural speech were delivered by Sri. Vellinezhi Anand. The meeting was presided over by Sri. T.K. Achyuthan, President of Kalasaagar, and was formally inaugurated by Padma Shri Mattannur Sankarankutty Marar, Chairman of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi.

A commemorative speech was delivered by Sri. K.B. Raj Anand, Dean of Kalamandalam, member of the Kalamandalam Governing Committee, Kathakali critic, and Chairman of the Vazhenkada Kunchu Nair Memorial Trust. A new Kuttichamaram (traditional Kathakali prop) constructed with the support of Sri. Kunnath Narayanan Namboothiri was officially handed over to the Trust by Sri. Kalamandalam Ramachandran Unnithan.

Sri. Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan, former Principal of Kerala Kalamandalam, introduced the 2025 Kalasaagar awardees to the audience. Sri. Peethambaran Anamangad, Secretary of the Vazhenkada Kunchu Nair Memorial Trust, delivered the vote of thanks.

After the award ceremony, the Kathakali performance “Bali Vijayam” was staged.

Dr. Sadanam Krishnankutty played Ravana,
Sri. Kottakkal Devadas performed as Narada, and
Sri. Kalamandalam Ramachandran Unnithan appeared as Bali.
The music was rendered by Sri. Sadanam Sivadas and Sri. Sridevan Cherumittam, while the percussion was  led by Sri. Kalamandalam Krishnadas and Sri. Kalanilayam Manoj. Makeup (Chutti) was by Sri. Kalamandalam Sreejith, with backstage assistance from Sri. Kalamandalam Balan and his team.
The “Bali Vijayam” Kathakali organized jointly by Kalasaagar and the Vazhenkada Kunchu Nair Memorial Trust offered art lovers a truly memorable experience.