Kalamandalam Sankara Warrier

🪔 About

Kalamandalam Sankara Warrier is a highly acclaimed Indian percussionist, renowned for his mastery of the maddalam, a traditional Kerala ethnic drum, particularly in the context of the classical dance-drama Kathakali. Born on June 1, 1952, in Thillenkery, Kannur district, Kerala, to Krishna Warrier and Madhavi Warrasiar, he began his formal training in maddalam at Kerala Kalamandalam at the age of 15. He received tutelage from eminent masters such as Kalamandalam Appukutty Poduval and Kalamandalam Narayanan Nambisan. After completing his four-year course, Warrier joined Kerala Kalamandalam as a first-grade maddalam teacher. In the 1970s, he toured extensively both within India and internationally as a member of a Kathakali troupe. In 1981, he moved to the FACT Kathakali School in Udyogamandal, where he served as a maddalam teacher for 18 years before retiring in 2005. Sankara Warrier is credited with elevating the status of the maddalam, bringing it to the forefront in Kathakali performances, where it was previously overshadowed by the chenda. He is also recognized for adding a fresh dimension to the portrayal of female characters in Kathakali through his nuanced maddalam playing. Beyond his performances and teaching, Warrier authored a pioneering book titled "Maddalam Enna Mangalavadyam" in 2003, a comprehensive guide to the instrument, published with the support of Kerala Kalamandalam. He has performed globally, contributing significantly to the maddalam's international recognition. He currently resides in Eloor, near Kochi, with his wife Valsala S Warrier. His son, Arun Deva Warrier, has also followed in his footsteps as a maddalam maestro. Awards & Honours: Veera Sringala (2006), Honour by K.J. Yesudas (2009), Best Maddalam Artist Award (2011), State Kathakali Award (Kathakali Maddalam) (2023), Venkichan Smaraka Puraskaram.