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About
Mankombu Sivasankara Pillai (1922 – March 20, 2014) was a distinguished Kathakali artist from Kerala, India, renowned for his mastery of the classical dance-drama's southern style, particularly the Kaplingatu school. Born in Mankompu, Alappuzha district, Pillai began his Kathakali training at the age of 13 under Kalarkode Kuttappa Panikkar. He briefly…
Journey Timeline
1922
Born — Born in Mankompu, Alappuzha district, Kerala, India.
1935
Joined Kerala Kalamandalam — Briefly joined Kerala Kalamandalam for training.
1939
Arangetram/Debut — Debuted on stage as Lalita in Pootanamoksham at Mankompu Devi temple.
Early 1940s
Palace Dancer — Began as a palace dancer for the Travancore royal family in Thiruvananthapuram.
1944
Foreign Trip — Undertook a foreign trip.
1948
International Performances — Began performing with Mrinalini Sarabhai's troupe on trips to Europe and South America.
1966
Inducted as Teacher — Inducted as a teacher in Kerala Kalamandalam.
1974
Appointed Instructor — Appointed Kathakali instructor in Kerala Kalamandalam.
1983
Retired from Kerala Kalamandalam — Retired from his position at Kerala Kalamandalam.
1984
Best Artiste Award — Received the Best Artiste Award of Kerala Kalamandalam.
1985
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award — Accorded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
1989
Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award — Received the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award.
2006
Co-authored "Kathakali Swaroopam" — Co-authored the book "Kathakali Swaroopam" with his brother C.K. Sivarama Pillai.
2012
Sangeet Natak Akademi Tagore Ratna — Conferred the Sangeet Natak Akademi Tagore Ratna.
2014
Died — Passed away on March 20 due to a cerebral hemorrhage.
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Awards & Honors
- 1985 · Sangeet Natak Akademi Award — Sangeet Natak Akademi
- 1989 · Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award — Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi
- 2012 · Sangeet Natak Akademi Tagore Ratna — Sangeet Natak Akademi
- 1984 · Best Artiste Award of Kerala Kalamandalam — Kerala Kalamandalam
- Kerala Kalamandalam Fellowship — Kerala Kalamandalam
- State Government Award — Government of Kerala
- Gurupooja Puraskaram — Central Sangeet Natak Academy
Media Coverage
- DANCE - GROUP FROM INDIA - NYTimes.com
The New York Times
- Mankombu Sivasankara Pillai passes away
asianetindia.com
- TAGORE RATNA AWARD FOR KATHAKALI ARTISTE MANKOMBU SIVASANKARA PILLAI
WINDOW OF KNOWLEDGE
- An unmatched artiste
The Hindu
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