Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan M

🪔 About

Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan M, born M. Unnikrishnan on October 10, 1958, in Kolathur, Malappuram district, Kerala, is a distinguished Indian percussionist and a leading exponent of the Chenda, a cylindrical drum integral to Kathakali performances. His father, Ramakrishnan Nair, was a daily-wage labourer and a part-time ritualistic Chenda player, and his brother, Kottakkal Ravi, is a renowned Maddalam exponent. Unnikrishnan began his musical journey at the age of eight, learning Chenda under Narayana Kurup. He then pursued formal training at Kerala Kalamandalam from 1972 to 1977, specializing in Kathakali Chenda under the tutelage of masters like Chandra Mannadiyar and Achunni Pothuval, completing a four-year Diploma and a one-year Post Diploma. His extensive career at Kerala Kalamandalam began in 1982 as a Chenda teacher. He rose to become the Professor and Head of the Department of Chenda in 1990 and eventually served as the Principal of Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed University until his retirement in 2015. Unnikrishnan has also held the position of president of the Kathakali Artists Association. As a performer, he primarily provides Chenda accompaniment for Kathakali, and is also an acclaimed exponent of Thayampaka, a solo Chenda concert. He is credited with pioneering structured percussion techniques, such as kal kottu (footwork drumming), kai kottu (hand gestures), and kannu kottu (eye expressions), which enhance the emotional depth of Kathakali narratives. These innovative techniques have been incorporated into the postgraduate curriculum at Kerala Kalamandalam. A documentary titled "Melaprayanam: The Saga of a Drummer," directed by Vinu Vasudevan, was released in 2023, chronicling his life and transformative contributions to the role of Chenda in Kathakali. Unnikrishnan is married to Kalamandalam Sudha, a classical dancer and teacher, and they have two daughters, Sreeranjini and Kavyashree. Awards & Honours: Artist of the year Award (1997), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award for Kathakali Chenda (2018), Kerala Kalamandalam Fellowship for Chenda (2021), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship (2023).