Sadanam Krishnankutty

Sadanam Krishnankutty (born Cherpulassery, 1941) is a performer of Kathakali, a classical dance-drama form of Kerala, South India. A recipient of Kerala State Kathakali award^[1] and Kalamandalam fellowship,^[2][3] he has played a wide range of characters in his acts.^[4][5] He received the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award in 2002,^[6] the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2007,^[7] Honorary D.litt from Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University, Thirur, Kerala in 2021 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 2021.

Sadanam Krishnankutty
Sadanam Krishnankutty
Born	1941 (age 83–84) Cherpulassery, [Palakkad, Kerala, India
Occupation	Kathakali Performer and Trainer
Nationality	Indian

Early life

A native of Cherpulassery in Palakkad district, the 1941-born^[8] Krishnankutty was a disciple of Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair. He had his initial lessons under Thekkinkatil Ramunni Nair, and has also taken eye exercise and Rasa-Abhinaya classes from Mani Madhava Chakyar.^[9]

Krishnakutty had his Kathakali lessons at Sadanam Kathakali Akademi (Gandhi Seva Sadan) east of Ottapalam.^{[citation needed]} He was, for a brief while, Kathakali tutor at the Kerala Kalamandalam, Unnayi Varier Smaraka Kalanilayam in Irinjalakuda and Kala Mandir in Patna. A winner of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (2002) and the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2006),^[3] he is known for his portrayal of roles in classical stories as well as newly staged Kathakali plays.^{[citation needed]}

Krishnankutty lives in Irinjalakuda town of Thrissur district.^[10]