V. Balakrishnan

🪔 About

Sadanam Puthiya Veettil Balakrishnan, widely known as Sadanam Balakrishnan, is a highly esteemed exponent of Kathakali, a classical Indian dance-drama originating from Kerala, India. Born in 1944 in Taliparamba, Kannur district, his journey into Kathakali began at the tender age of eleven. He received his initial training from Kondiveetil Narayanan Nair and specialized in the Kalluvazhi style of Kathakali performance. Throughout his illustrious career, Balakrishnan has significantly contributed to the preservation and promotion of Kathakali. He served as a Kathakali teacher at the International Center for Kathakali in Delhi from 1974 to 2006, shaping a generation of dancers. In 1980, he assumed the role of Principal at Perur Gandhi Seva Sadanam. His work extends to adapting diverse narratives into the Aattakatha form for Kathakali performances, including Western literary classics such as Pierre Corneille's 'Le Cid' and 'Psyché', and William Shakespeare's 'Othello' and 'Macbeth', as well as Euripides' Greek plays. Sadanam Balakrishnan has been a cultural ambassador for Kathakali, collaborating with organizations like SPIC MACAY for over four decades to conduct lecture-demonstrations and performances both in India and internationally. He has also worked with central government institutions such as CCRT and ICCR to further the art form. His profound impact on Indian classical dance has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2003, the Kerala state Kathakali award in 2020, and the Kerala Kalamandalam fellowship in 2017. In 2024, he was honored with the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, for his exceptional contributions to Kathakali. He has also authored four books. Awards & Honours: Parishad Samman (1988), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2003), Kerala Kalamandalam Award (2007), Kerala Kalamandalam fellowship (2017), Kerala state Kathakali award (2020), Padma Shri (2024).