Sadanam P. V. Balakrishnan

🪔 About

Sadanam Puthiya Veettil Balakrishnan, popularly known as Sadanam Balakrishnan, is a highly renowned exponent of Kathakali, an Indian classical dance form originating from Kerala, India. Born in 1944 in Taliparamba, Kannur district, Kerala, his journey into Kathakali began at the age of eleven. He received his initial training from Guru Kondiveetil Narayanan Nair Asan. He then underwent intensive training for ten years, including an eight-year Diploma and a two-year Post Diploma with a Central Government Scholarship, at the Gandhi Seva Sadan Kathakali Academy in Palakkad district. There, he was mentored by eminent gurus such as Thekkinkattil Ravunni Nair and Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair, specializing in the Kalluvazhi style of Kathakali performance. Balakrishnan's illustrious career includes serving as an artist and teacher at institutions like Parassinikkadavu Muthappan Kathakali Yogam and Gandhi Seva Sadan Kathakali Academy. From 1974 to 2006, he taught Kathakali at the International Center for Kathakali in Delhi, where he also served as its Principal and Chief Artiste starting in 1980. Concurrently, he became the Principal of Perur Gandhi Seva Sadanam in 1980. After his retirement from the International Center for Kathakali, he was associated with the Kalakshetra Foundation, Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts, as a Senior Visiting Fellow. An innovator and prolific artist, Balakrishnan has choreographed and produced over 25 new Kathakali plays, enriching the traditional repertoire. He is known for adapting stories from various languages, including Greek tragedies, Shakespearean works like 'Othello' and 'Macbeth', and French plays such as Pierre Corneille's 'Le Cid' (adapted as 'Maharathi') and 'Psyché' (adapted as 'Sumana'), into the Aattakatha form. He has performed extensively in India and in over 25 countries, captivating audiences worldwide. He has also contributed significantly to the promotion of Kathakali through collaborations with organizations like SPIC MACAY, CCRT, and ICCR. He is the author of four books, including "Kathakali" (2004) and "Kathakali: A Practitioner's Perspective." Two other books, a compilation of 14 Aattakatha texts and a work on his guru Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair, were awaiting publication as of 2019. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2003), Kerala state Kathakali award (2020), Kerala Kalamandalam fellowship (2017), Padma Shri (2024), Kerala Kalamandalam Award (2007), Swathi Thirunal Nadalaya Award (1986), Natyarathanam Kannan Pattali Kathakali Trust's Natyacharya Award (2021), Mookambika Kathakali Vidyalaya Award (2003), Natana Bhaskara Award (2003), Guru Pattikamthodi Smaraka Puraskara (2006), Natyakalaratnam and Gold Medal (2007), Guru Sree Award (2008), Parishad Samman (1988), Gold Medal (1990), Alapathi Ramachandra Rao Kala Peedham Award (1991).