Unnikrishnan C P

🪔 About

Dr. C.P. Unnikrishnan, born in 1948, is a distinguished figure in Indian classical dance, particularly Kathakali, as well as a scholar, choreographer, and educator. He initially pursued an academic career in science, completing his Graduation and Post Graduation with Distinction and First Rank in Human Physiology from Wilson College, University of Bombay. He also holds B.Ed (1981) and M.Ed (1984) degrees from Annamalai University, and Diplomas in Vedanta from The CCMT, Bombay, and Fine Arts from the ICS, Madras. Driven by his passion for Kathakali, Unnikrishnan returned to Kerala after working for six years as a Physiology faculty member at Bombay University. He commenced his Kathakali training in 1974 under the tutelage of Sri. Kalamandalam Gopinath, becoming a serious performer of Kathakali and Dance Dramas. He furthered his academic pursuits in the art form, earning a PhD in Kathakali from Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed University on December 17, 2014. His thesis, titled "Body Kinetics and The Aesthetics Of Kathakali - A Critical Study Based On Bharata's Natyasastra," reflects his interdisciplinary approach to classical arts. Unnikrishnan has made significant contributions as a resource person in various folk and classical art forms of Kerala. He served as the Head of the Department of Life Sciences at Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Eranakulam, from 1979 until his retirement in May 2009, after which he dedicated himself fully to Natyasastra studies and cultural activities. He is the Technical Director of the Sree Sankara School of Dance (SSD) in Kalady, Ernakulam, and Chairman of the Sree Sankara School of Dance Accreditation Council (SAAC). He is also a prolific scriptwriter and choreographer, having created mega productions like "Sankaram Lokasankaram," "Sree Narayana Gurudevacharitam," and "Sree Krishna Kathamrutham," integrating elements of Mohiniyattam, Bharatanatyam, and Kuchupudi. He has published 27 research papers, is a critic of Kerala art forms, and his reviews have appeared in prominent Indian newspapers. Awards & Honours: Vishnu Sohoni Memorial Full Bright Award for the Best Passing out Graduate Student (1970), Merit Scholarship, Senior Research Fellowship, Honour for contributions towards Child Education (1985), Honour of Scholarship, Sree Sankaracharya Life Time Achievement Award (2013), Agamananda Award for the best PhD thesis on Classical Arts, Gurusreshta Award (2018).