Nelliyodu Vasudevan Namboodiri has won the State Kathakali Prize for 2013. Sadanam Vasudevan bagged the Pallavur Appu Marar Prize and Kalamandalam Ramachackyar, the Kerala Nritha Natya Prize.
The awards carry a purse of Rs.1 lakh, citation, plaque, and ‘ponnada’.
Announcing the awards here on Tuesday, Minister for Culture K.C. Joseph said the winner of the Kathakali prize and the Appu Marar prize was chosen by separate committees headed by Vice-Chancellor of the Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed University P.N. Suresh. A committee chaired by Madvur Vasudevan Nair chose the winner of the Nritha Natya prize. Vasudevan Namboodiri has won accolades for portrayal of villains such as Dussassanan and Jarasandan in Kathakali.
He was the recipient of many awards previously such as that of the National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama and the Kerala Kalamandalam.
Sadanam Vasudevan excelled in Thayambaka and Kathakali music. His music rendered voice for the thoughts and actions of characters of Kathakali.
Kalamandalam Ramachackyar was renowned for his mastery in both Koodiyattom and Chakyar Koothu. He is the winner of numerous awards, including that of the National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama and the Kerala Kalamandalam.
