Kottakkal Chandrasekhara Warrier, 74, well-known Kathakali maestro and Principal of P.S.V. Natyasangham, Kottakkal, died here on Wednesday.
He leaves behind a large group of disciples in the field of Kathakali.
Heading Natyasangham
Widely known as Kottakkal Chandrasekharan, he has been heading the P.S.V. Natyasangham since 1996. He has won many an accolade, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award, Kalamandalam Award, and Tulaseevanam Award.
Born at Naduvattom, near Pattambi, in Palakkad district on January 15, 1945, he began learning Kathakali from Chethallur Kutta Panikkar along with his school education. He joined P.S.V. Natyasangham in 1958 and learned Kathakali in the Gurukula system under Vazhenkada Kunju Nair and Kottakkal Krishnankutty Nair until 1967, the year he joined the Natyasangham as a faculty member and performer.
Theoretical knowledge
Chandrasekharan had excelled in portraying almost all roles in Kathakali, including heroes and anti-heroes. He stood apart from his contemporaries by being an outstanding teacher and performer. His theoretical knowledge of Kathakali took him to further heights as an instructor.
He never missed an opportunity to introduce Kathakali to young audiences across the country under the banner of the Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst the Youth (SPICMACAY).
He performed in many foreign countries, including Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Singapore, England, Korea, Hong Kong, Switzerland, the U.S. and the Arabian Gulf.
His 70th birthday was celebrated with a wide variety of programmes both at Kottakkal and Naduvattom in 2015.
Funeral today
He is survived by wife and two children. The funeral will take place at Kottakkal at 1 p.m. on Thursday.