Nelliyode Vasudevan Namboodiri
Nelliyode Vasudevan Namboodiri while receiving Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship 2019, Kollam
Born(1940-02-05)5 February 1940
Cheranelloor, Ernakulam district, Kerala, British Raj
Died2 August 2021(2021-08-02) (aged 81)
NationalityIndian
OccupationKathakali artist
Sri Nelliyode Vasudevan Namboodiri as Kamhasura in Sri Mookambika Mahathmyam Kathakali held on 8 February 2015 at Thodupuzha

Nelliyode Vasudevan Namboodiri or Nelliyod Vasudevan Namboodiri (5 February 1940 – 2 August 2021)[1] was a Kathakali artiste, noted primarily for his vibrant portrayal of the evil chuvanna thaadi ("red beard") roles of the classical Kathakali dance-drama from Kerala in south India. He was also very famous and known for the characters 'Kuchelan' from Kuchelavritham and 'Aashaari' from Bakavadham.

Career

Nelliyode was born in 1940 in Cheranalloor in Ernakulam district. He joined the PSV Natyasangham in Kottakkal in 1957 and received training in Kathakali largely under Padma Shri Vazhenkada Kunchu Nair of the tradition.[2] After a teaching stint in Kerala Kalamandalam,[3] he joined as a Kathakali teacher at the Central High School in Thiruvananthapuram. Nelliyode lived in Poojappura near Thiruvananthapuram.[1]

Awards

Nelliyode has received the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (1999).[4] He has also received Rigatta's 'Natyaratna' title and gold medal in 1976, Thulaseevana award in 1988, Kalamandalam award, Central Government Fellowship, and Onamthuruth temple's 'Natyavisarad' title[1] and the Kerala State Kathakali Prize for 2013.[5]

Repertoire

In Kathakali, Nelliyode is primarily famous for his playing cruel characters like Kali, Trigartan, Dushasanan, Bakan,[6] and Veerabhadran.[7] He also excelled in pious roles like Kuchelan (Sudama) besides demonic kari roles such as Nakrathundi, Simhika, Soorpanakha, Lanka Lakshmi, and the black-bearded Kaatalan (woodsman). Possessing deep knowledge in Sanskrit and the Hindu Puranas,[2] Nelliyode was also capable of presenting Patakam, a classical temple art requiring skills in oratory,[8] and has played the role of the Fool in a production of King Lear.[9]

Significance

Nelliyode is regarded as the leading player of the destructive ‘tamasic’ characters in Kathakali.[5][6] He has presented a deeper interpretation of these characters and emphasised their central role in the plays.[2]

Death

Nelliyode Vasudevan Namboothiri died on 2 August 2021 at the age of 81. He was suffering from pancreatic cancer for some time.[10][11][12]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Nelliyodu Vasudevan Namboodiri". Kathakali Artists. CyberKerala.
  2. 1 2 3 Kaladharan, V. (28 September 2007). "Matchless artistry". The Hindu.
  3. ↑ John A. Willis (1971). Dance World - Volume 6. p. 90.
  4. ↑ "Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award: Kathakali". Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  5. 1 2 "An inspired genius in fierce red". Kerala Tourism. Government of Kerala, Dept. of Tourism. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  6. 1 2 Asian Theatre Journal: ATJ. - Volumes 21-22. 2004. p. 229.
  7. ↑ Sadasivan, T.K. (26 June 2009). "Fine improvisation". The Hindu.
  8. ↑ Sangameswaran, A. (24 March 2006). "In a new role". The Hindu.
  9. ↑ Janelle G. Reinelt, Joseph R. Roach (2007). Critical Theory and Performance. University of Michigan Press. p. 127. ISBN 978-0472068869.
  10. ↑ "പ്രശസ്ത കഥകളി ആചാര്യന്‍ നെല്ലിയോട് വാസുദേവന്‍ നമ്പൂതിരി അന്തരിച്ചു". www.twentyfournews.com (in Malayalam). 3 August 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  11. ↑ "കഥകളി ആചാര്യന്‍ നെല്ലിയോട് വാസുദേവന്‍ നമ്പൂതിരി അന്തരിച്ചു". Deshabhimani (in Malayalam). Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  12. ↑ ചരമം - മാധ്യമം ദിനപത്രം 2021 ഓഗസ്റ്റ് 3
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