Kalamandalam Kesavan Namboodiri

Kalamandalam Kesavan Namboodiri was born on Jan 1, 1955 in Kolpuram Illam, Kuruvattoor, Kozhikode Taluk. Father Kolpuram Kesavan Namboothiri and mother Umadevi Antharjanam.

He learned Kathakali from 1972 to 1983 in Kerala Kalamandalam, was awarded Central Govt Scholarship and continued his higher studies in Kerala Kalamandalam from 1983 to 1985.

He practised Kathakali under many famous teachers namely Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair, Kalamandalam Padmanabhan Nair, Kalamandalam Gopi, Vazhenkata Vijayan, Kalamandalam Vasu Pisharodi and Kalamandalam M.P.S. Namboodiri. Also practised the "Thekkan Kathakali" (South Kerala style) from Mankombu Sivasankara Pillai and Kalamandalam Rajasekharan.

Has performed Kathakali in many stages all around India and in foreign countries. His expertise is in "Minukku" characters, but now doing "Pacha", "Kathi", "Thadi" characters also.

He directed the Kathakali "Sreekrishnaavatharam" which is written by Nalloorpalli Vamanan Namboodiri and performed in many stages. Now he is working on "Kirathasoonucharitham" Kathakali which is written by Kottarathil Sankunni.

Family: Wife Mrs. Kalamandalam Devasena and two daughters Gana and Gagana. Now settled in "Souparnika", Karumanassery Gramam in Kizhakkanchery Panchayath, Palakkad District.