Kottakkal Madhu Biography 
Kottakkal Madhu is a Sopana music singer and composer from Kottakkal, Kerala.He specializes in Sopana Sangeetam, Kathakali related music. He was a recipient of the T.V. Kochaniyan award, and many awards and distinctions in this field. Madhu, along with Pathiyoor Sankarankutty is widely regarded as the foremost exponents of Kathakali padam singing at present. He has released several singles and albums in Kathakali music, and is known for promoting this classic and traditional music form of Kerala.
Kottakkal Madhu was born in Kottakkal of Malappuram district, Kerala on October 26, 1968. His father is K. Govindan Nair and mother is K. Sathyabhama. He is married to Vrinda and has one daughter Krishnendu. While doing his schooling, he learned Karnatic Music from Parameswara Iyar. He started learning Kathakali music since 1980, after he changed his school to P.S.V. Natyasangham after 6th standard.
He received music training from Kalamandalam Neelakandhan Nambisan, Kalamandalam Unnikrishna Kurup, Kottakkal Gopala Pisharody, Kottakkal Parameswaran Namboothiri and Kottakkal Narayanan and Carnatic Music under Madhavav Nair. After studies he joined P.S.V. Natyasangham, Kottakkal as faculty. During his academic years, he won Mundaya Venkitakrishna Bhagavathar Kathakali Music Contest, and was facilitated by his teacher himself.
As a Kathakali music artist, he performed and contested across Kerala, and other parts of India and also Switzerland, and played a magnificent role in promoting this music form globally. He is a recipient of T.V. Kochaniyan award, constituted in memory of the former chairman of the Kerala Kalamandalam, and is given to an artiste below 40. Madhu is known for experimenting with newer nuances in the Raga vistara, and has also introduced new ragas to his singing style. It helped him to earn appreciation from younger generation of Kathakali lovers.
Published: N/A
Updated: April 29, 2018
