Akash Mallick

🪔 About

Akash Mallick is an Indian classical performing artist, arts pedagogue, and IB Dance educator, primarily recognized as a Marga Natya practitioner with extensive training in Kathakali, Mizavu, and Koodiyattam. He began his dance journey at a very young age. He pursued his graduation and master's degree in Performing Studies at Hyderabad Central University. During this period, he was discovered by Kalamandalam Piyal, under whom he commenced his Kathakali training. Mallick underwent three years of intensive Gurukul-style training, achieving mastery in this dance-acting form. In 2012, he furthered his Kathakali education at Kerala Kalamandalam. His insatiable quest for knowledge also led him to study practical Mizavu playing under Kalamandalam Eshwar Unni and fundamental Koodiyattam acting and vocal training under Kalamandalam Radhakrishnan. He also received advanced training from Kalamandalam Balsubrahmanyan, who was his teacher Kalamandalam Piyal's guru. Mallick is a proponent of 'Marga Natya,' a dance style derived from the Natyashastra, which was conceptualized by his guru Kalamandalam Piyal. He continues this legacy, aiming to create a dialogue with contemporary societal concerns through his art. His artistic philosophy integrates scholarship and stage performance, guided by the principles of the Natyashastra, with a commitment to reinterpreting traditional forms for modern audiences. While his primary performance and teaching focus is on Marga Natya and Kathakali, he undertook a Junior Research Fellowship under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in 2018, with his research topic being "Tracing the formation of Kuchipudi - survival aspects from Natyashastra." He has performed nationally and internationally at various festivals, including the Khajuraho Dance Festival (2023, 2012), Marga Utsav (2023), Granthan Festival (2023), Vasantotsav (2022), Natya Gatha Utsav (2022), 8th Theatre Olympics (2018), Nakhsatra Dance Festival (2016, 2014), Festival of India in Tunisia (2017) and Mauritius (2015), Natya Samagam (2017, 2014), Guru Kittappa Pillai Dance Festival (2013), Uday Shankar Dance Festival (2013), ICCR Horizon Series (2011), and Kalidash Somaraho (2012). He has also conducted workshops in various cultural institutions and directed productions such as "Vedan" and "Ananda Shakti." Awards & Honours: Chidakash Yuva Samman (2021), Junior Research Fellowship (Ministry of Culture, Government of India) (2018), Guru Champakkulum Pachu Pillai Memorial Scholarship from International Centre for Kathakali.