Sarojini Nangiaramma

🪔 About

Sarojini Nangiaramma, also known as Sarojini Nangiar, was a pioneering exponent of Koodiyattam and Nangiar Koothu, ancient Sanskrit theatre forms native to Kerala, India. Born on October 20, 1940, in Chovvara village, Edanad town, near Aluva, Kerala, she hailed from a traditional lineage of Koodiyattam performers. She began her training in Nangiarkoothu at the age of five under her mother, Ammukutty Nangiaramma, and her father, Villuvattah Ravunni Nambiar, who were also Koodiyattam and Nangiar Koothu artists. She further learned from her aunt, Kochukutty Nangiaramma, and commenced her Koodiyattam training at seven. Nangiaramma made her debut performance (arangetram) at the age of ten at the Edanad Bhagavathy Temple, marking the beginning of a career spanning over seven decades dedicated to preserving these ritualistic arts exclusively in temple settings, known as Koothambalams. She is renowned for her solo recitals of Sree Krishna Charitam Nangiarkoothu, a dance-drama centered on the legends of Lord Krishna, interpreted through mime, sung verses, and intricate gestures. She performed continuously for over five decades at the Tripunithura Poornathrayeesha Temple and has performed at more than a thousand venues across Kerala. Nangiaramma also provided rhythmic accompaniment on the kuzhithalam (cymbals) for Koodiyattam and Chakyar Koothu. She collaborated with legendary masters such as Painkulam Rama Chakyar, Mani Madhava Chakyar, and Ammannur Madhava Chakyar, strictly adhering to traditional practices. In recognition of her continuous contribution to Indian theatre as a Kutiyattam artist, Sarojini Nangiaramma received the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2015, becoming the first Nangiar to receive this national honor. She was presented with the award by the President of India on October 5, 2016. In 2021, she was also honored with the Kerala Kalamandalam Award for Koodiyattam for the year 2020. Nangiaramma passed away on November 10, 2025, at the age of 85. Her sons, Kalamandalam Narayanan Nambiar and Edanad Ramachandran Nambiar, are Mizhavu artists, continuing the family's artistic legacy. She also served as a guru to her grandchildren. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2015), Kerala Kalamandalam Award for Koodiyattam (2020).