Kavungal Chathunni Panicker Biography 
Kavungal Chathunni Panicker was a legendary Kathakali artist from Kerala. He was an exponent of the Kavungal School of Kathakali, which gives much importance to facial expressions. He was a recipient of numerous honours including Padma Shri, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Kerala State Kathakali Award, Kerala Kalamandalam Fellowship, Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship and Gujarat Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. He lived during the period 1922-2007.
Kavungal Chathunni Panicker hailed from Thrissur of present day Kerala state. He belonged to Thichur village near Vadakkancherry. He started learning Kathakali in 1933 at the age of 11. Sankara Panicker, his uncle was his first teacher. He stayed with his uncle for three years as a part of his studies. He continued training under Katambur Gopalan Nair. He gave his first performance (Arangettam) in 1936 at the age of 14. When he reached 20, he owned a troupe of his own. Since then he started giving performances in different parts of south India, and also got opportunity to perform before Vikram Sarabhai, and his wife at Ooty in 1947. Mrinalini Sarabhai who was impressed by his performance invited him to join her dance school the following year.
Panicker accepted the invitation and joined Mrinalini’s institute in Ahmedabad as Principal. He continued working with the institute till his retirement in 1985, serving nearly 4 decades. With their performances, the troupe had toured across the globe and their shows remained very successful. Throughout his career, his roles as Hanuman in Kalyana Saugandhikam and Thoranayudham, Raudrabhima in Duryodhana Vadham and Kattala (Hunter) in Nalacharitham and Kiratham became very popular. After retirement he returned to Kerala, and wished to open a dance school. But his wish remained unfulfilled as he suffered a stroke. He passed away on 27 November 2007.
Published: September 04, 2018
Updated: September 04, 2018
