Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma Biography 
Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma, regarded as “The mother of Mohiyattam”, traditional dance art form of Kerala has played a significant role in elevating the dance Mohiniyattam into a classical dance form of India. It was through her efforts that this nearly extinct art form was brought back to mainstream Indian classical dance, rendering it formal structure and ornamentation. She has authored two books as well. "Mohiniyattam - History and Dance Structure" is one of the most valuable books related to this art form and a detailed and authentic documentation on Mohiniyattam. In 1938 Mahakavi Shri Vallathol bestowed upon her the title Kavayithri. Swathithirunal, Vallathol and Kalayanikutty Amma are the three great pillars who played the major role in reviving this dance form.
Kalyanikutty was born in Thirunavaya in Malappuram district in a reputed Nair family in the year 1915. She was interested in literature, sports, and yoga. She didn’t even think of taking dance as her career. It was great poet Vallathol, founder of Kerala Kalamandalam who invited her to join the institution as a student. As she belonged to a traditional family, she was not allowed to do so. Yet she took it as a challenge and joined the dance classes of Kalamandalam. Her lifelong commitment to Mohiniyattam is a part of Kerala history now.
She took rigorous training in Mohiniyattam under late Krishna Panicker Asan who was then 78. He did her arangettam (first stage performance) in 1939. She learnt Kathakali from Pattikamthodi Ravunni Menon and Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair. Later Vallathol gave her extra responsibility of the revival of the art form – Mohiniyattam through his institution. She conducted extensive research into the origin and history of the dance, traveling all over Kerala and temples and even interviewed some descendants of the devadasis, who used to perform this dance form in temples. In 1972, she received a Fellowship from Kendra Sangeetha Nataka Academy. In 1974, both Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy and Kendra Sangeetha Nataka Academy honoured her. She was married to the late Kathakali maestro Padma Shri Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair.
Published: N/A
Updated: January 23, 2014
