- Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Poduval
Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Poduval (1924-1992) was a self-taught maestro of
Kathakali percussion who excelled in the art ofchenda playing by redefining its aesthetics as an audio accompaniment for the classical dance-drama fromKerala in southIndia . [http://www.kalamandalam.org/daywithmasters.asp]Poduval, who was born in the Kathakali village of
Vellinezhi inPalakkad district, was groomed in chenda playing by legendaryMoothamana Kesavan Namboodiri andPattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon , in whose classrooms he underwent training in playing the percussion instrument. He had earlier received basic training in chenda under Chamrankulangara Appu Marar. [Kathakali Vijnanakosam (encyclopedia), page 333] He has been credited with lending audio support on the chenda to emotional scenes on the Kathakali stage. His art, in tandem with the latemaddalam maestroKalamandalam Appukutty Poduval , won wide appreciation from audiences. Together, they used to prop up the performance of the renowned master,Padma Bhushan Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair .Krishnankutty Poduval, a winner of the
Central Sangeet Natak Akademi award, groomed several disciples atKerala Kalamandalam from where he retired as professor in the late 1980s. They include Kalamandalam Kesavan, Kesava Poduval, Unnikrishnan, Balaraman, Kuroor Cheriya Vasudevan Namboothiry [http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/01/26/stories/2007012600770200.htm] , Raman Namboodiri, Rajan, Vijayakrishnan (also his son), Radhakrishnan and Krishnadas.Krishnankutty Poduval, a mercurial genius, had more than once quit Kalamandalam following differences with its authorities. During such breaks, he used to also work with
Gandhi Seva Sadan Kathakali Akademi.Poduval died in 1992 an Ernakulam hospital following an acute liver problem.
In May 2008, his alma mater brought out a book "Melapperukkam" carrying the complete written works of Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Poduval.
Two of Poduval's sons are artistes in the field of Kathakali. Kalamandalam Mohanakrishnan is a musician, while Kalamandalam Vijayakrishnan is a chenda player.
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.