Unnikrishnan Nambiar

🪔 About

Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan Nambiar is a renowned Indian classical percussionist and performer, primarily known for his mastery of the mizhavu, an instrument central to Koodiyattam, Koothu, and Nangiarkoothu performances. Born into a traditional family of mizhavu performers, his mother, Padmini Nangiar, was a Nangiarkoothu artist. He began his early training on the mizhavu at the age of six under his uncle E.K. Narayanan Nambiar, and his arangettam took place at the Karthyayani Temple in Edanadu when he was seven. He joined Kerala Kalamandalam in 1966 or 1967, and in 1967, he became the first student of the newly instituted mizhavu department under Guru P.K. Narayanan Nambiar. His training at Kalamandalam was comprehensive, encompassing the total form of Koothu and Koodiyattam, and he further honed his skills in Sanskrit slokams for Chakyarkoothu and Padhakam under Painkulam Rama Chakyar Asan. Unnikrishnan Nambiar also received training at Ammannur Gurukulam and collaborated with esteemed artists like Moozhikulam Kochukuttan Chakyar and scholars such as D. Appukuttan Nair at Margi in Thiruvananthapuram. With over five decades in the field as of 2014, Unnikrishnan Nambiar has performed extensively, both nationally and internationally. He was selected for research and study in Italy on 'Dragon Bond Right', a contemporary dance form, and has participated in festivals in Japan, France, the United Kingdom, and the Drum Festival in Korea in 2005. He is recognized for his dedication to the art form and his efforts to preserve its traditional essence.