Nelliyode Vasudevan Namboodiri

Nelliyode Vasudevan Namboodiri or Nelliyod Vasudevan Namboodiri is a Kathakali artiste noted primarily for his vibrant portrayal of the villainous chuvanna thaadi (red beard) roles of the classical dance-drama from Kerala in south India. ^[1] A prominent disciple of the late Padma Shri Vazhenkada Kunchu Nair of the Kalluvazhi tradition, he also excels in pious Kathakali roles like Kuchelan (Sudama) besides demonic 'kari' roles like Nakrathundi, Simhika, Soorpanakha and Lanka Lakshmi besides the black-bearded Kaatalan (woodsman). However, primarily Nelliyode is famous for his essaying cruel characters like Kali, Trigartan, Dushasanan, Bakan, Veerabhadran.

A native of Cheranalloor in Ernakulam district, Nelliyode joined the PSV Natyasangham in Kottakkal in 1957 and received training in Kathakali largely under Kunchu Nair. After a teaching stint in Kerala Kalamandalam, he joined as a Kathakali teacher at the Central High School in Thiruvananthapuram.

Possessing deep knowledge in Sanskrit and the Hindu Puranas, Nelliyode is also capable of presenting Patakam, a classical temple art that tests one's oratory calibre as well. ^[2]

A winner of awards from the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, Nelliyode lives in Poojapura off Thiruvananthapuram. ^[3]

References

1. ^ http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/09/28/stories/2007092850770200.htm
2. ^ http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2006032400890200.htm&date=2006/03/24/&prd=fr&
3. ^ http://www.narthaki.com/kathakali/ktkl1b.htm