Kalamandalam Sreekumar

🪔 About

Kalamandalam Sreekumar is a distinguished Indian classical dancer specializing in Kathakali, born on May 21, 1958, to K. Balakrishnan Nair and Bhageeradhi Amma. His extensive training in Kathakali began at Kerala Kalamandalam, where he pursued an eight-year program and graduated with a first-class postgraduate degree. He further dedicated five years to advanced Kathakali studies. Sreekumar honed his artistry under the tutelage of eminent gurus including Eramalloor Balakrishna Menon, Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair, Kalamandalam Padmanabhan Nair, Kalamandalam Gopi, and Kalamandalam Vijayan. Throughout his illustrious career, Kalamandalam Sreekumar has gained expertise in portraying a diverse range of Kathakali characters, notably excelling in "Pacha" (virtuous), "Kathi" (villainous), "Minukku" (gentle/saintly, such as Brahmanan in Santhanagopalam and Sundara Brahmanan in Rugmini Swayamvaram), and "Pazhuppu" (special characters like Balabhadrar in Subhadraharanam and Sivan in Dakshayagam). He is recognized among the elite Kathakali artists for his discipline and distinctive style. Sreekumar has performed Kathakali extensively across Kerala and India, and internationally in countries such as Paris, Italy, Switzerland, and England. He has also represented India in cultural tours organized by the Indian government in cities like Calcutta and Tripura, and participated in international festivals in Delhi. He currently serves as the Head of the Department of Kathakali at R.L.V. College, Thripunithura, and was previously a teacher at the RLV College of Music and Fine Arts. In 2018, he turned 60, a landmark year celebrated with events in his honor. He also coordinated Kathakali events during the Vrischikolsavam at Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple in Tripunithura. Awards & Honours: A.D. Bolland Gold Medal for Best Student, Vazhenkada Kunchu Nair Smaraka Award, Kerala Kalamandalam Award (Kathakali vesham) (2019).