Theyyam artiste Athiyadam P.P. Kanna Paruvannan has been selected for the Kerala Folklore Akademi's maiden award instituted in memory of its former chairman, P.K. Kalan.
Announcing this here on Tuesday, Akademi secretary A.K. Nambiar said the award comprising Rs. 50,000 would be presented to Mr. Peruvannan by Education and Culture Minister M.A. Baby at a function here on August 27.
Mr. Nambiar said Mr. Peruvannan was a legend in the ritual art as he was the only artiste who had performed nearly 50 forms of Theyyam. He was among the prominent Theyyam artistes who strove to convert Theyyam into a performing art outside the ritual milieu of 'Kavus' (sacred groves).
He was a winner of various awards, including those instituted by the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi and the Kerala Folklore Akademi Fellowship.
This was the first award instituted in memory of a Dalit artiste. P.K. Kalan, noted Gaddika artiste died while he was chairman of the Akademi.
