The birth centenary celebrations of Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair and Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma were held in Tripunithura on Friday with the government promising to participate in all programmes that will be held through the year.
Minister for Excise and Ports K. Babu, who inaugurated the public function, said the government would organise a tribute to the legends who had set new standards for Kathakali and Mohiniyattam.
Tripunithura municipality chairman R. Venugopal presided and N.M. Namboothiri delivered the main address.
Ashok Kumar, the son of the legendary artistes, welcomed the gathering.
Leader of the Opposition in the municipality, C. N. Sundaran; former tehsildar and Krishnan Nair’s friend, Elamana Hari; Kathakali aficionado Pallan Chandran; and Krishnan Nair’s disciple Margi Vijayan were among those who spoke on the occasion.
The couple’s daughter and granddaughter organised a Mohiniyattom performance along with students of the institution run by the couple’s daughters, Kala Vijayan and Sreedevi Rajan.
A Kathakali performance led by Kalamandalam Gopi followed.
