60+
Years of Experience
8+
Students Taught
1
Followers
❖ Guru Parampara ❖
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Guru Sadanam Balakrishnan, an eminent Kathakali maestro, was born in 1944 in Taliparamba, North Kerala, India. His profound interest in Kathakali began in childhood, leading him to commence training at the age of eleven while in seventh grade. His initial guru was Kondiveetil Narayanan Nair, under the patronage of Brahmashri Kurumathur Narayanan…
Journey Timeline
1944
Born in Taliparamba, North Kerala
1955
Began Kathakali training at age eleven
1956
First performance as 'Sri Krishna' in "Duryodhanavadham"
1958
Joined Gandhi Seva Sadan Kathakali Academy for intensive training
1966
Appointed as a teacher and performer at Gandhi Seva Sadanam — After completing 10 years of intensive training.
1974
Joined International Centre for Kathakali, Delhi as a teacher and performer
1980
Took charge as Principal and Chief Artiste of International Centre for Kathakali, Delhi
1980
Became Principal of Perur Gandhi Seva Sadanam
1988
Received Parishad Samman from Delhi Sahitya Kala Parishad
2003
Received Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
2006
Retired from International Centre for Kathakali, Delhi
2020
Received Kerala State Kathakali Award
2024
Received Padma Shri
Photo Gallery
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Video Library
Performance videos will appear here.
Signature Performances
Signature repertoire pieces will be showcased here.
Performance Map
A world map of performances will appear here as tours are recorded.
Awards & Honors
- 2003 · Sangeet Natak Akademi Award — Sangeet Natak Akademi
- 1988 · Parishad Samman — Delhi Sahitya Kala Parishad
- 2024 · Padma Shri — Government of India
- 2020 · Kerala State Kathakali Award
- 2017 · Kerala Kalamandalam Fellowship — Kerala Kalamandalam
- 2007 · Kerala Kalamandalam Award — Kerala Kalamandalam
- 1986 · Swathi Thirunal Nadalaya Award
- 2003 · Mookambika Kathakali Vidyalaya Award
- 2003 · Natana Bhaskara Award — Bharata Kalanjali and Bhaskara
- 2006 · Guru Pattikamthodi Smaraka Puraskara — Gandhi Seva Sadanam Kathakali Academy
- 2007 · Natyakalaratnam and Gold Medal — Mattannur Mahadeva Kshetram & Mattannur Pancha Vadya Sangham
- 2008 · Guru Sree Award — Kaladarpan
- 2009 · Kalamandalam Krishnan Kutty Poduval Smaraka Award
- 2010 · Dr. K.N. Pisharody Smaraka Award — K.N. Pisharody Smaraka Kathakali Club
- 2015 · Nritya Sagaram Award — Cleveland Bhairavi Finance Society – US
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