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Years of Experience
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About
Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan M, born M. Unnikrishnan on October 10, 1958, in Kolathur, Malappuram district, Kerala, is a distinguished Indian percussionist and a leading exponent of the Chenda, a cylindrical drum integral to Kathakali performances. His father, Ramakrishnan Nair, was a daily-wage labourer and a part-time ritualistic Chenda player, and his…
Journey Timeline
1958
Born — Born M. Unnikrishnan in Kolathur, Malappuram district, Kerala.
c. 1966
Began Chenda training — Started learning Chenda under Narayana Kurup at the age of eight.
1972-1977
Studied at Kerala Kalamandalam — Completed Diploma and Post Diploma in Kathakali Chenda under Chandra Mannadiyar and Achunni Pothuval.
1982
Joined Kerala Kalamandalam as a teacher — Appointed as a Chenda teacher at his alma mater.
1990
Became Head of Chenda Department — Appointed Professor and Head of the Department of Chenda at Kerala Kalamandalam.
1997
Received 'Artist of the year Award' — Awarded by Keli of Mumbai.
2015
Retired as Principal — Retired as Principal of Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed University.
2018
Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award — Received for Kathakali Chenda (awarded in 2019).
2021
Directed Kathakali Melam workshop — Directed a weeklong workshop on Kathakali Melam at Vazhenkada Kunju Nair Trust.
2021
Kerala Kalamandalam Fellowship — Received for Chenda (awarded in 2022).
2023
Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship — Received for lifetime achievements in percussion.
2023
Documentary released — The documentary 'Melaprayanam: The Saga of a Drummer' on his life was released.
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Video Library
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Signature Performances
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Performance Map
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Awards & Honors
- 1997 · Artist of the year Award — Keli of Mumbai
- 2018 · Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award for Kathakali Chenda — Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi
- 2021 · Kerala Kalamandalam Fellowship for Chenda — Kerala Kalamandalam
- 2023 · Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship — Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi
Media Coverage
- Kathakali: Acting Should Be In Sync With Melam
India Art Review
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