Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan
Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan | |
|---|---|
| Born | M. Unnikrishnan October 10, 1958 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation(s) | Chenda exponent and teacher |
| Spouse | Kalamandalam Sudha |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards |
|
Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan is an Indian percussionist from Kerala. He is an exponent of Chenda. He received the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award for Kathakali Chenda in 2019 and Kerala Kalamandalam Fellowship for Chenda in 2022.
Biography
M. Unnikrishnan popularity known as Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan was born on October 10, 1958, as eldest of six children of Ramakrishnan Nair and Maniattu Dakshayani Amma, in Kolathur in Malappuram district of Kerala.[1][2] His father who was a daily-wage labourer in Kolathur was also a part-time ritualistic chenda player at a temple near his house.[1] His brother Kottakkal Ravi is a Maddalam exponent at the Kottakkal PSV Natya Sangh.[2] He started learning Chenda under Narayana Kurup at the age of eight.[2] Later he joined Kerala Kalamandalam and studied chenda under Chandra Mannadiyar and Achunni Pothuval.[2]
Personal life
Unnikrishnan and his wife Kalamandalam Sudha, who is a classical dancer, have two daughters, Sreeranjini and Kavyashree.[2]
Career
After completing studies, Unnikrishnan joined his alma mater Kerala Kalamandalam as a Chenda teacher in 1982.[2] He retired as principal of Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed University in 2015.[1]
Unnikrishnan also served as the president of the Kathakali Artists Association.[3]
As a performer Unnikrishnan mainly plays Chenda as background music for Kathakali performances.[4]
Works on him
Melaprayanam: The Saga of a Drummer directed by filmmaker Vinu Vasudevan is a documentary on the life of Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan.[5]
Awards and honors
In 2019, Unnikrishnan received the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award for Kathakali Chenda for the year 2018.[6][7] In 2022, he has been awarded the Kerala Kalamandalam Fellowship for Chenda, for the year 2021.[8][9]
References
- ^ a b c Sekhon, Jagrup Singh (2020-03-05). "Chenda artiste Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan on the changing phases of the chenda in Kathakali". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
- ^ a b c d e f "കലാമണ്ഡലം ഉണ്ണികൃഷ്ണൻ". prev.kathakali.info. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
- ^ "കലാകാരന്മാരെ പട്ടിണിക്കിട്ട് കൊല്ലരുത്". Malayala Manorama (in Malayalam). Retrieved 2025-08-17.
- ^ Nagarajan, Saraswathy (2023-10-26). "Malayalam documentary 'Melaprayanam' focusses on chenda maestro Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan's story". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
- ^ B, Parvana K. (2023-10-05). "Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan: The life rhythm of a chenda maestro". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
- ^ "PRD Live - സംഗീത നാടക അക്കാദമി പുരസ്കാരം സമര്പ്പിച്ചു" (in Malayalam). Public Relations Department, Government of Kerala. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
- ^ "Award list- KSNA" (PDF). Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi.
- ^ "ഇ. വാസുദേവനും എം. ഉണ്ണികൃഷ്ണനും കലാമണ്ഡലം ഫെലോഷിപ് | Kalamandalam Fellowship for E.Vasudevan and M.Unnikrishnan | Madhyamam". www.madhyamam.com (in Malayalam). 2022-10-20. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
- ^ "Kalamandalam awards, fellowships announced". The Times of India. 2022-10-20. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-08-17.