Nelliyode Vasudevan Namboodiri

🪔 About

Nelliyode Vasudevan Namboodiri (1940-2021) was a highly acclaimed Indian Kathakali artiste, renowned primarily for his powerful and vibrant portrayal of the evil 'chuvanna thaadi' (red beard) roles in the classical dance-drama from Kerala, South India. Born on February 5, 1940, in Cheranalloor, Ernakulam district, to Vishnu Namboodiri and Parvathi Antharjanam, he received early education in Sanskrit, Vedam, and Thanthram. His formal Kathakali training began in 1957 when he joined the PSV Natyasangham in Kottakkal, where he was largely tutored by the legendary Padma Shri Vazhenkada Kunchu Nair. He further pursued higher studies at the Kerala Kalamandalam and later joined its staff in 1960. Nelliyode's stage presence was marked by his distinctive large, expressive eyes, which he and his guru skillfully utilized to his advantage. By the early 1960s, he gained recognition for infusing even negative characters with a touch of humor. While specializing in fierce 'chuvanna thaadi' characters like Kali, Trigartan, Dushasanan, Bakan, Veerabhadran, Bali, Sugreevan, and Jaraasandhan, he also excelled in 'vattamudi' and 'penkari' roles, and was celebrated for his pious portrayal of Kuchelan from 'Kuchelavritham' and the 'Aashaari' (carpenter) from 'Bakavadham'. His profound knowledge of epics, Sanskrit literature, Vedas, Puranas, and Natyashastra underpinned his versatile performances. Beyond performing, Nelliyode was a dedicated teacher, serving as a Kathakali instructor at the Central High School (also known as Attakulangara Government Central High School) in Thiruvananthapuram for two decades, starting in 1975. He also founded the Vazhenkada Kunchu Nair Smaraka Kala Vihar to honor his guru and nurture young talents. His literary contributions include translating Sanskrit works like Sreeramodantham, Sreekrishnavilasam, and Narayaneeyam into Malayalam, and he authored the book 'Aadopatantavam' and choreographed the Kathakali play 'Rasakreeda'. He traveled internationally, spreading the grandeur of Kathakali. Throughout his illustrious career, Nelliyode Vasudevan Namboodiri received numerous accolades, including the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2001), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (2000), Kerala State Kathakali Prize (2013), and the Kathakali Puraskaram (2014). He passed away on August 2, 2021, at the age of 81, in Thiruvananthapuram, after battling pancreatic cancer, leaving behind a significant legacy in the world of Kathakali. Awards & Honours: Rigatta's 'Natyaratna' title and gold medal (1976), Thulaseevana award (1988), Kalamandalam Award (1999), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (2000), Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2001), Kerala State Kathakali Prize (2013), Kathakali Puraskaram (2014), Padma Prabha Award (2017), Thunchan Memorial Award, Guru Gopinath Kalakendram Award, Fellowship of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy (2018), Central Government Fellowship, Onamthuruth temple's 'Natyavisarad' title.