Kalamandalam Kuttan Asan

🪔 About

Kalamandalam Kuttan Asan (1938 – 2022) was a distinguished Indian Kathakali artist from Kerala, renowned for his profound contributions to the classical dance-drama. Born in Adakkaputhur, Palakkad district, he embarked on his Kathakali journey at a young age, completing his diploma at Kerala Kalamandalam in 1951. He was a devoted disciple of eminent gurus Kalamandalam Ramankutty Asan and Kalamandalam Padmanabhan Nair. Kuttan Asan made his stage debut in 1951, performing as 'Krishnan' in Subhadraharanam Kathakali at the Vellinezhi Kanthalloor Temple. He earned the moniker "Dakshan Kuttan" due to his exceptional portrayal of the character Daksha, a role in which he gained immense popularity. His expertise extended to various Kathakali roles, including Pacha, Kathi, Kattalan, Brahmin, Balabhadra, and Roudrabhima. Notably, he performed the role of Vibhishana in Sreerama Pattabhikam Kathakali for an impressive forty years at the Koodalmanikyam temple festival. Kuttan Asan dedicated a significant part of his career to teaching and institutional leadership. He joined the Unnayi Warrier Smaraka Kalanilayam in Irinjalakuda as a Kathakali teacher in 1964, eventually rising to the position of Vice Principal in 1990 and then Principal in 1995. He was a proponent of the Kalluvazhichitta stream of Kathakali. His immense talent and dedication were recognized with numerous accolades, including the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2008 and the Kerala State Kathakali Award in 2019. He passed away on January 13, 2022, in Perinthalmanna, leaving behind a rich legacy in the world of Kathakali. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2008), Kerala State Kathakali Award (2019), Kerala Kalamandalam Keerthi Patram, Kaladarpana Award, Amruthandamayi mat puraskar, Kerala Kalamandalam Award (2007), Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair Award (2010), Kalamandalam Pattikamthodi Ramunnimenon Award (2011), Unnayivaryar Award (2011), Visakhapatnam Nataraja Dance Music Academy Natyasree Award (2002), Thrissur Kathakali Club Award (2000), Vellinezhi Panchayat Gramakala Award (2015), Kerala Kalamandalam Fellowship (2019).