Dancer Vasu

🪔 About

Kalamandalam Vasu Pisharody, a revered Indian Kathakali actor and maestro, was born on August 15, 1943, in Kongad, Palakkad district, Kerala, India. He passed away on December 1, 2022, at the age of 79. His foundational Kathakali training began under Balakrishnan Nair at Kerala Kalalayam in Ottapalam for one year. He then spent three years at PSV Natyasangham in Kottakkal before undertaking seven years of intensive study at Kerala Kalamandalam, where he was a frontline disciple of the legendary Padmasree Vazhenkada Kunchu Nair. Pisharody further honed his artistry under the tutelage of Padma Bhushan Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair and Kalamandalam Padmanabhan Nair. He completed his postgraduate studies in Kathakali Vesham in 1967 and specialized in the Kalluvazhi Chitta style with a scholarship from the Government of India. Pisharody's illustrious career saw him serve as a teacher at a kalari run by the Guruvayur Kathakali Club until 1979. He then rejoined Kerala Kalamandalam in 1979, dedicating two decades to the institution. He retired in 1999 as the Vice-Principal and Head of the Department of Kathakali Vesham. A prolific performer, he showcased Kathakali across India and in approximately 20 foreign countries, conducting numerous workshops in India, neighboring countries, Europe, and America. He was celebrated for his restrained yet powerful portrayal of virtuous 'pachcha,' anti-hero 'Kathi,' and semi-realistic 'minukku' roles. His iconic performances included Nalan, Bahukan, Arjunan, Bhiman, Dharmaputrar, Rugmangadan, Narakaasuran, Ravanan, Parashuraman, and Brahmanan. Beyond performing, Pisharody directed and produced several Kathakali plays, such as Ravana Putri, Shri Krishna Leela, Krishna-Arjuna Vijayam, and Rama Charitam, and even an innovative play based on a Greek story. After a brief hiatus due to an ailment in 2005, he made a triumphant return to the stage in March 2009. Awards & Honours: Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2004), Kerala Kalamandalam Award (1998), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (2003), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship (2020), Kerala State Kathakali Award (2012), Veerashrinkhala from Kongad, Fellowship from Central Human Resources Development Ministry, Kerala Kalamandalam Fellowship, Shri Pattikkamthodi Puraskar - Kerala Kalamandalam, Shri Pattikkamthodi Puraskar - Gandhi Seva Sadan, Olappamanna Devi Puraskar, Kalamandalam Krishnan Kutty Podhuval Puraskar, Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair Kalyanikkuty Amma Puraskar, Puraskar from "Sarggam" Kongad, Awards from several Kathakali clubs (Kollam, Iringalakkuda, Drisyavedi, Trivandrum).