Nelliyode Vasudevan Namboodiri Biography 
Nelliyode Vasudevan Namboodiri is a Kathakali artiste from Ernakulam. He is widely known for the portrayal of chuvanna thaadi ("red beard") or negative roles in Kathakali performances. Such characters are the most ferocious and cruel ones, mostly villains and similar characters. Rakshasas (demons), Asuras (who live in hell) are portrayed with red beard in Kathakali dance form. Namboodiri is regarded as a leading player of the destructive ‘tamasic’ characters in this dance form.
Nelliyode Vasudevan Namboodiri was born on 5 February 1940 in Cheranalloor in Ernakulam district. His father is Vishnu Namboodiri and mother is Parvathi Antharjanam. During his early childhood he learnt Sanskrit, Vedam, Thanthram etc. His association with dance forms began in 1957 when he joined PSV Natyasangham in Kottakkal as a student. He joined Kerala Kalamandalam for 9 year course in vesham. He received training in Kathakali from Vazhenkada Kunchu Nair. After studies he worked as faculty in Kerala Kalamandalam, followed by Central High School in Thiruvananthapuram where he worked for more than 20 years and settled with family. He has three children.
He has a deep knowledge in Sanskrit and the Hindu Puranas, and he regularly presents Patakam, known for oratory skills. On stage he has been a doyen for performing negative and cruel characters such as Veerabhadran, Kali, Trigartan, Dushasanan, Bakan etc, and appears in red costumes with red beard known as ‘chuvanna thaadi’ in Kathakali terms. He has also done positive characters such as Kuchelan. Rigatta's 'Natyaratna' title and gold medal in 1976, Thulaseevana award in 1988, Kalamandalam award, Sangeethanataka academy award, Central Government Fellowship, Onamthuruth temple 'Natyavisarad' title etc are some of the honours received by him.
Published: September 08, 2018
Updated: September 08, 2018
