Kathakali Maddalam expert Kalamandalam Narayanan Nair passes away

THRISSUR: Famous Kathakali Maddalam expert teacher Kalamandalam Narayanan Nair Asan (Nelloovai) passed away. He died at Amala Hospital in Thrissur Friday morning. An early disciple of Kalamandalam Appukutty Poduval, his uncompromising style of playing set him apart from many other Maddalam scholars. His last performance was at the recent Kottakkal Viswambhara Temple Festival. He used to say that he Appukutty Poduval taught him and was raised by Kalamandalam Krishnan Kutty.

Along with Kerala Kalamandalam Award and Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award, he has also received awards from several Kathakali clubs. He has performed in more than 50 foreign countries including United States, European countries, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. He was a teacher at the Unnayi Warrier Kala Nilayam in Irinjalakuda and the Kerala Kalamandalam for a long time. Along with his wife Devaki, he trained many disciples through the Ahmedabad Darpana and Nelluvayil Sree Dhanwanthri Kala Kshetram. His wife, Kalamandalam Devaki, who was an Ottan Thullal artist, passed away two years ago. He leaves behind his children Prasad and Praseeda.