V.K.K. Hariharan

🪔 About

V.K.K. Hariharan is a distinguished figure in the realm of Koodiyattam, an ancient Sanskrit theatre tradition from Kerala, India, primarily recognized as an accomplished mizhavu exponent and guru. His significant contributions to the art form were acknowledged with the prestigious Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award in 2014 for Koodiyattam. Hariharan is a respected teacher, having imparted his knowledge of mizhavu to several students. Notably, Toyomi Iwata, a Japanese artist, underwent mizhavu training under his tutelage and had her arangettam (debut performance) in 2018. He is also cited as a guru to Kalamandalam Hariharan, another mizhavu artist who joined Kerala Kalamandalam at the age of 16 to learn mizhavu drumming. His daughter, Athira Hariharan, also follows in his footsteps as a Koodiyattam artist, with her performances being highlighted in cultural festivals. Based in Kerala, the heartland of Koodiyattam, V.K.K. Hariharan has been an active participant in the Koodiyattam scene, with his presence noted at events such as the Gurusmarana Kootiyatta mizhavu festival at Ammannur Chachu Chakyar Smaraka Gurukulam in Irinjalakuda. He has also collaborated with other artists, supporting a Bamboo Orchestra show with his mizhavu accompaniment. His dedication to Koodiyattam extends to workshops, where he has demonstrated the rich tradition of this Sanskrit theatre alongside other exponents like Usha Nangiar. While specific details regarding his own initial training and the year of his arangetram are not extensively documented in the available sources, his role as a guru and an award recipient underscores his profound impact and standing within the Koodiyattam community. His work contributes to the preservation and promotion of Koodiyattam, an art form recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Awards & Honours: Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (2014).