Tripunithura Kathakali Kendram Ladies Troupe

🪔 About

The Tripunithura Kathakali Kendram Ladies Troupe, also known as Tripunithura Vanitha Kathakali Sangham, was established in 1975 in Tripunithura, Ernakulam, Kerala, India. This pioneering all-women troupe made a significant mark in the history of Indian classical dance by breaking a 300-year-old tradition that exclusively allowed men to perform Kathakali. While not the very first women's Kathakali troupe (Nadananiketan in Thrissur existed briefly from 1962-1968), the Tripunithura troupe became a lasting and influential initiative for women's entry into the male-dominated art form. The troupe was spearheaded by members of the erstwhile Cochin Royal Family, including K.T. Rama Varma and Haridasan Thampuran, with encouragement from legendary Kathakali artist Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair. The initial members, including notable figures like Radhika Varma, Sreemathi Antarjanam, Radhika Ajayan, Shailaja Varma, Vrinda Varma, and Meera Narayanan, received rigorous private training from esteemed gurus such as Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair, Kalamandalam Raja, Kalamandalam Karunakaran, Vasudevan Namboothiri, FACT Padmanabhan, and RLV Damodaran Pisharody. They were trained to perform both male and female characters, demonstrating the stamina and skill required for the demanding art form. Since its inception, the troupe has performed extensively, with over 2,000 shows across India and abroad. They are known for their traditional all-night performances. In recognition of their exceptional contribution to women's empowerment and their artistic excellence, the Tripunithura Kathakali Kendram Ladies Troupe was honored with the Nari Shakti Puraskar by the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, on International Women's Day in 2017. Awards & Honours: Nari Shakti Puraskar (2017).