TRIBUTE PAID TO KURUR VASUDEVAN NAMBOOTHIRI,

TRIBUTE PAID TO KURUR VASUDEVAN NAMBOOTHIRI, VETERAN KATHAKALI ARTISTE

                   Eminent Kathakali artiste Kurur Vasudevan Namboodiri, 99, died at his residence at , on Tuesday ,18^th December,2013,evening.Born in an orthodox Brahmin family near Kottayam, he was attracted to the art form at a young age and started his studies at the ‘Kathakali kalari’ that existed at Kumaranallore Devi Temple then.His performance was noted by Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Poduval, who took him under his tutelage. This helped Vasudevan Namboodiri master the ‘vadakkan sampradayam’ in Kathakali rendering, in addition to the ‘thekkan chitta’ which he had learnt earlier.He was also tutored by Kurichy Krishna Pillai in the art while Madhom Parameswaran Namboodiri taught him Sanskrit.For more than 70 years, Vasudevan Namboodiri held sway in the world of Kathakali along with the all-time greats such as Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair, Mankulam Vishnu Namboodiri, Kudamaloor Karunakaran Nair, Champakkulam Pachu Pillai, Chengannur Raman Pillai, and others.Vasudevan Namboodiri had excelled in the ‘Thaadi’ vesham, especially Chuvanna thaadi, and his rendition of Baali was considered his masterpiece. He was involved with the Iranjalakuda Unnayi Warrier Smaraka Kalanilayam and the Kottaram Kathakali Yogam sponsored by the Travancore royal family. Rendition of Sreerama in Sreerama Pattabhishekom, which he performed on the occasion of his navathy (completion of 90 years), was his swansong.

                                                   Prof. John Kurakar