Ammannur Madhava Chakyar

The history of modern Koodiyattom is inexorably entwined with Madhava Chakyar’s life and art.

He did not want Koodiyattom to be restricted to the temple arena. His major contribution to the art was to take it beyond traditional confines.

Ammannur’s debut performance was at the age of 11 at the Thirumandhamkunnu temple, Angadipuram. He played the role of Sutradhara in the play "Balacharita". His first-ever Prabandha Koothuwas held at Trikkovil temple at Chendamangalam.

He trained under the princes of the royal family of erstwhile Kodungallur. He played his first major role, Sreerama in ‘Soorpanakankam’ at the Koodalmanikya temple in Irinjalakuda. He was a recipient of Padma Bhushan, Kalidasa Samman, Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Akademi Award and Kendra Sangeet Nataka Akademi Award. He is survived by his wife Parukutty Nangiaramma.

1. www.ammannurgurukulam.org 2. Into The World of Kutiyattam with the Legandary Ammannur Madhava Chakyar - memoirs by G.Venu, published by Natanakairali - Research and Performing Centre for Traditional Arts. 3.www.irinjalakuda.com 4.www.accu.or.jp/ich/en/pdf/c2005subreg_Ind2.pdf 5.gspaul.com/lonesurvivor3.html - 13k 6.www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2005/03/18/stories/2005031801650500.htm - 22k -

Guru Ammannur Madhva Chakyar can easily be described as The greatest Kutiyattam (Sanskrit theatre tradition of Southern India- Kerala) performer of the last century.

Biography

Family

Guru Ammannur Madhava Chakyar was born into the Ammannur Chakyar family to Sreedevi Illodamma
and Vellarapilli Madassi Manakkal Parameswaran Nambuthiri on 13th May 1917.
He passed away on 1st July, 2008. His wife Parukkutty Illodamma passed away on 25th of July, 2008.

Training, Gurus and first performances

Ammannur Madhava Chakyar was initiated into Kutiyattam at the age of 7
and trained rigorously under his two uncles Ammannur Chachu Chakyar
and Ammannur Valiya Madhava Chakyar and also Kitangur Rama Chakyar.
His arangettam(debut performance) was at the age of 11 at the Bhagavathi temple at Thirumandham Kunnu performing the role of
Sutradhara in Balacharitam.At the age of 14, he gave his first performance at the
Koothambalam(temple theatre house) of Vadakkumnathan Temple in Trichur performing as Sree Rama in Balivadham.
At the age of 16, He had his debut in Prabandha Koothu with the ritual Kuduma vakkal at the Putiya Trikkovil, Chendamangalam.
After completing his basic training in the traditional style under his masters, Ammannur Madhava Chakyar
went for higher training in Abhinaya and Natyashastra under Bhagavathar Kunjunni Thampuran at the acting laboratory at the
Kodungallor Royal family.He also studied Sanskrit language under
Vidushi Kochikavu Thampuratty and Vidvan Manthitta Nambuthiri.

Repertoire highlights(major Characters followed by the plays in which they come)

Bali–Balivadham
Ravana–Thoranayudham, Asokavanikankam, Hanumaddutam, Jatayuvadham
Suta, Jatayu–Jatayuvadham
Surpanakha–Surpanakhangam
Hanuman–Thoranayudham, Ankuliyankam
Dhananjayan–Subhadra Dhananjayam
Bhima, Vidyadhara–Kalyanasaugandhikam
Vidushaka–Subhadra Dhananjayam, Tapatisamvaranam
Naganandam and all important Prabandha-s in Koothu

Attaprakaram-s–acting manuals written for performance(unpublished)

1. Ascharyachudamani Parnshalankam, Mayasitankam, Ezhamankam
2. Abhisheka Natakam Hanumaddutam, Samudrataranam
3. Kalyanasaugandhikam
4. Subhandra Dhananjayam–Act 2
5. Nangiar Koothu–Sree Krishna Charitam(revised version)

Positions held

1. Kulapati–lifelong at Ammannur Chachu Chakyar Smaraka Gurukulam which he co-founded with G.Venu.2. Chief Resource person–life long at Natanakairali–Research and Performing Centre for Traditional Arts, Irinjalakuda
3. Visiting Guru at Margi Kutiyattam Vidyalayam, Tiruvananthapuram–1981-88
4. Visiting Professor, Kerala Kalamandalam, Cheruthuruthy–1981-82

Performance tours abroad

France(1982,86,2001) England(1982,87) The Netherlands(1987) Switzerland(1987) Japan(1988)

Disciples

1. Moozhikulam Kochukuttan Chakyar
2. Ammannur Kuttam Chakyar
3. G.Venu
4. Usha Nangiar
5. Margi Madhu
6. Ammannur Rajaneesh Chakyar
7. Sooraj Nambiar
8. Pothiyil Renjith Chakyar
9. Kapila
10. Aparna Nangiar
11. Saritha.T.R
12. Margi Raman
13. Margi Sajeev Narayanan
14. Potiyil Narayanan
15. Nirmala paniker
16. Tomoe Tara Irino
17. Rathy Nangiar

Honours/Awards

1. Padmabhushan from Government of India–2002
2. P.S.John Endowment Award from Ernakulam Press Club–2002
3. Degree of Doctor of Letters from Kannur University–2002
4. Citation of UNESCO recognising Kutiyattam–2001
5. ‘Pattum Valayum’ from Keli and Prithvi Theatre, Mumbai–1998
6. Peelithirumudi Award from Guruvayur temple–1997
7. Fellowship from Sangeet Natak Akademi–1996
8. ‘Veera Sringhala’ from The International Centre for Kutiyattam, Thripunithura–1994
9. Sree Guruvayoorappan Samman from Guruvayur Temple–1992
10. ‘Kalidas Samman from Govt. of Madhya Pradesh–1992
11. Fellowship from Kerala Kalamandalam–1988
12. ‘Natya Kala Nidhi’ title from Cochin Devaswam Board–1987
13. Padmashree from Govt. of India–1982
14. Sangeet Natak Akademi Award - 1979