Thanjavur K. P. Kittappa Pillai
Bharatanatyam Performer
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Thanjavur K. P. Kittappa Pillai (born Sabapathi, nicknamed Kittappa) was a towering figure in Indian classical dance, particularly Bharatanatyam, and a direct descendant of the illustrious Thanjavur Quartet. Born on May 5, 1913, he hailed from a distinguished lineage of nattuvanars, being the fifth-generation descendant of Sivanandam, one of the Thanjavur…
Journey Timeline
1913
Born — Born on May 5th
1945
Shift to Nattuvangam — Stopped giving vocal concerts and focused on nattuvangam and teaching after the death of his cousin and father.
1950s
Repertoire Revival — Revived and produced annotated versions of rare Thanjavur repertoire pieces.
1974
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
1981
Sangita Kala Acharya — Awarded by the Music Academy.
1985
Isai Perarignar — Awarded by Tamizh Isai Sangam.
1986
Kala Tilakam — Awarded by Karnataka State.
1998
Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship
1999
Died — Passed away on October 30th.
2013
Birth Centenary — A postal cover was released in his honor.
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Video Library
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Signature Performances
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Performance Map
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Awards & Honors
- 1974 · Sangeet Natak Akademi Award — Sangeet Natak Akademi
- 1981 · Sangita Kala Acharya — Music Academy
- 1985 · Isai Perarignar — Tamizh Isai Sangam
- 1986 · Kala Tilakam — Karnataka State Award
- Kalidas Samman — Govt. of Madhya Pradesh
- 1998 · Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship — Sangeet Natak Akademi
Media Coverage
- Owning a legacy
The Hindu
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