Mani Madhava Chakyar

🪔 About

Guru Mani Madhava Chakyar (15 February 1899 – 14 January 1990) was a celebrated Indian performance artist and Sanskrit scholar from Kerala, widely regarded as the foremost Chakyar Koothu and Koodiyattam artist and authority of modern times. Born in Thiruvangayoor near Karayad, Kozhikode district, Kerala, he belonged to the Mani family of Chakyars, traditional custodians of Koodiyattam and Chakyar Koothu for centuries. He received traditional training in these art forms under his uncles, Guru Mani Parameswara Chakyar, Guru Mani Neelakandha Chakyar, and Guru Mani Narayana Chakyar. He also pursued extensive Sanskrit studies, including Alankarashastra, Nātyaśāstra, Vyakarana, Nyaya, and Jyotisha, under scholars like Panditaratnam Pazhedathu Sankaran Nampoothiripad and Darsanakalanidhi Rama Varma Parikshith Thampuran. Chakyar made his Koodiyattam debut (arangetram) at the age of 14 at the Trikkaikkunnu Temple in North Kottayam of Malabar. He was a profound authority on Abhinaya (classical Indian acting style) and Nātyaśāstra, earning him the title "Emperor of Rasa-Abhinaya" for his exceptional use of facial expressions, particularly his eyes (Netrābhinaya). He was instrumental in taking Koodiyattam and Chakyar Koothu outside the temple precincts to audiences across India, performing in cities like Madras, Delhi, Varanasi, Bombay, Ujjain, and Bhopal, and introducing these ancient art forms to All India Radio and Doordarshan. His influence extended to Kathakali, where he was invited by Vallathol Narayana Menon to Kerala Kalamandalam as a master trainer for Rasa-Abhinaya, earning him the moniker "the master who gave eyes to Kathakali." He also taught at other institutions like Kathakali Yogam- Katathandu, PSV Natyasangham- Kottakkal, and Gandhi Seva Sadanam Kathakali Academy- Perur. In 1982, he founded a Gurukulam at Killikkurussimangalam, later named Padmasree Mani Madhava Chakyar Smaraka Gurukulam, to impart training in Koodiyattam, Chakyar Koothu, and Nangyar Koothu to both traditional and non-Chakyar disciples, including foreign students. He authored the encyclopaedic treatise on Koodiyattam, *Nātyakalpadrumam* (1975), and other works like *Mathavilasam* (1968). Awards & Honours: Mudramothiram (Signed Ring) (1921), Vīrasringhala (Golden Bracelet) (1923), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1964), Certificate of Merit (1964), Padma Shri (1974), Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award (1975), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship (1975), Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (1982), Government of India Emeritus Fellowship (1982), Kalidasa Academy Fellowship (Ratna Sadasyata) (1982), Kerala Kalamandalam Fellowship (1983), Tulsi Samman (1987), Guruvayoor Devaswam Award (1991).