Kottakkal Sivaraman Biography 
Kottakkal Sivaraman was a legendary Kathakali artist from Kerala, who excelled in female roles. Though Kathakali is dominated by male characters, the female roles such as Draupati, Damayanti etc also have their own significance and Sivaraman was one among those artists who left their impressive mark in the male dominated art form known for its male characters. He learnt this art form from his uncle Padma Shri Vazhenkada Kunchu Nair. He is a recipient of Kendra Sangeet Nadaka Academy Award. He has received numerous awards from Kendra Sahitya Akademi, Kerala Sahitya Akademi, Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, Kerala Kalamandalam etc.
As a celebrated Kathakali artist he excelled in the female mythological characters - Dhamayanthi, Sairandhri, Rugmini etc. An avid reader Sivaraman was known as a garrulous talker. National award winning documentary Minukku of 2007 was based on the life of Sivaraman, made by M.R. Rajan. This veteran artist passed away on 19 July 2010 at his residence. He was honoured with ‘Sthree Retnam’ award by Kerala Government a few days before his death. He was active till the end of his life and done many performances outside India too during his last ages.
He was born in the year 1936 in Karalmanna of Palakkad district as the son of Njaloor Kunhikrishnan Nair and Karthiayani. He began performing Kathakali at a young age of 13. Learnt Kathakali from his uncle Vazhenkada Kunchu Nair at Kottakkal of Malappuram district, in the 1960s he reached the peak of his career. He performed with the legendary artist Kalamandalam Gopi for the famous play Nala Damayanti. This leading pair ruled Kathakali stage for many years. He portrayed Sairandhri in Keechakavadham opposite Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair who played Keechaka, which earned him a lot of praises. During the last phase of his life, he performed in a few male characters too.
Published: N/A
Updated: March 12, 2016
