Margi Sathi

🪔 About

Margi Sathi (P. S. Sathi Devi) (1965–2015) was a pioneering Indian classical dancer renowned for her mastery in Koodiyattam and Nangiarkoothu, and a trailblazer for women in the traditionally male-dominated art form of Kathakali. Born in Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur, Kerala, she began her training in Koodiyattam at Kerala Kalamandalam at the age of 11, studying under esteemed gurus such as Painkulam Rama Chakyar, Mani Madhava Chakyar, and Ammannur Madhava Chakyar for eight years. In 1988, after her marriage, Sathi moved to Thiruvananthapuram and joined the Margi dance institute, an organization dedicated to the revival of Kerala's classical art forms, which subsequently became part of her name. It was at Margi that she delved deeply into Nangiarkoothu, a solo female performance art derived from Koodiyattam, and became one of its leading exponents, contributing significantly to its resurgence. She was particularly known for her ability to portray Minukku (soft and graceful female) roles in Kathakali and for her profound knowledge of Nangiarkoothu. Margi Sathi's career saw her perform extensively both in India and internationally. A notable highlight was her performance at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris in October 2001, marking UNESCO's proclamation of Koodiyattam as a "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity". She also made significant academic contributions, authoring the attaprakaram (performance manuals) for several Nangiarkoothu performances, including "Sreeramacharitham Nangiarkoothu," published in 1999. Following the tragic death of her husband in 2005, Sathi joined Kerala Kalamandalam as a Koodiyattam teacher, a testament to her expertise and the state government's recognition of her talent. Her contributions were widely acknowledged with numerous awards, including the Junior Fellowship of the Ministry of Culture (1997), the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (2002), the Kaladarpanam Award (2008), and the Natyarathna Puraskaram (2008). Margi Sathi passed away on December 1, 2015, at the age of 50, after a prolonged battle with cancer, leaving behind a rich legacy in Indian classical dance. Her daughter, Revathi, continues her legacy as a Koodiyattam artist. Awards & Honours: Junior Fellowship of the Ministry of Culture (1997), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (2002), Kaladarpanam Award (2008), Natyarathna Puraskaram (2008), Padmasree Nomination.