Kottakkal Devadas

🪔 About

Kottakkal Devadas is a highly acclaimed Indian classical Kathakali artiste, renowned for his powerful and versatile portrayals, particularly of the villainous 'Thadi' (red beard) and 'Kari' (black) characters. Born in Vazhenkada, a village in the Malappuram district of Kerala, he joined the Kottakkal PSV Natyasangham in 1979 at the age of 12 to pursue his passion for Kathakali, a path he chose unlike many contemporaries who were driven by circumstance. His formal training spanned ten years, during which he was mentored by esteemed gurus such as the late Kottakkal Krishnankutty Nair, Kottakkal Chandrasekhara Warrier, and Kottakkal Sambhu Embrandiri. Devadas made his stage debut in 1980, performing as Krishna in 'Subhadraharanam'. Despite initial reservations from his gurus about his appearance for gracious roles, his career took a significant turn when he stepped in for an ailing artist to perform a 'Thadi' role, which eventually led to his specialization in these characters. He is celebrated for his vigorous and glorious depiction of roles like Dussasana, Veerabhadra, Kali, and Nakrathundi, bringing a novel dimension to these often lesser-popular characters. However, his versatility extends to 'Pacha' (noble) and 'Kathi' (anti-heroic) roles as well, including performances as Hanuman, Sugreevan, Bali, Narasimham, and Jarasandha. With over 35 years of active performance, Kottakkal Devadas has garnered a substantial fan base across Kerala and has performed internationally in European and West Asian countries. He is also noted for his ability to improvise and make Kathakali more interactive, influencing a younger generation of viewers. A documentary titled 'Stage On Fire' is being made about his life by filmmaker Sharath A Haridasan. Awards & Honours: Veera Sringhala (2022), Kalahamsam Award.