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Kalamandalam Girija

Kathakali Performer • Teacher

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Thrissur, India

45+

Years of Experience

1+

Students Taught

1

Followers

❖ Guru Parampara ❖

Mani Madhava Chakyar

Guru

Guru

Kalamandalam Girija

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About

Kalamandalam Girija, born in 1958 in Kadavallur, Thrissur district, Kerala, India, is a highly acclaimed Indian classical dancer and guru renowned for her mastery in Koodiyattam and Nangiar Koothu, ancient Sanskrit theatre art forms of Kerala. Her family had a background in temple arts, with her father, Pakshiyil Narayanan Moosad, being a Pathakam exponent…

Journey Timeline

1958

Born

1971

Joined Kerala Kalamandalam — Became the first non-Nangiar student to learn Koodiyattam

1981

Began teaching at Kerala Kalamandalam — As Koodiyattam and Nangiar Koothu instructor

1984

First public performance of Nangiar Koothu outside temples — Performed at Kalamandalam

1986

Presented rewritten narratives in Nangiar Koothu — Included mythological heroines Kunti, Gandhari, and Madhavi

2001

Received Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award

2007

Choreographed Venisamharam Act I

2008

Received Painkulam Rama Chakyar Smaraka Award

2009

Received Kerala Kalamandalam Award

2010

Choreographed Balacharitam Act II- Bhagavathy Pravesham

2012

Received Kalasagar Award

2013

Choreographed Naganandam Act IV- Parakkumkoothu

2014

Retired from Kerala Kalamandalam — As Head of the Koodiyattam Department

2015

Choreographed Veneesamharam

2016

Choreographed Thapatheesamwaranam -Ozhukum Nangiar

2017

Choreographed Swapanavasavadhatham

2019

Choreographed Naishadhanandaham

2021

Received Sangeet Natak Akademi Award

2023

Received Keraleeya Nritta-Natya Puraskaram

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Awards & Honors

  • Dr. K. N. Pisharoti Award
  • Margi Award
  • 2001 · Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi AwardKerala Government
  • 2008 · Painkulam Rama Chakyar Smaraka Award
  • 2009 · Kerala Kalamandalam AwardKerala Kalamandalam
  • 2012 · Kalasagar Award
  • 2021 · Sangeet Natak Akademi AwardSangeet Natak Akademi
  • 2023 · Keraleeya Nritta-Natya Puraskaram

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