Kalamandalam Sibi Chakravarthy Named for Inaugural Kalaratna Award by Palakkad Kathakali Club
Kathakali artiste Kalamandalam Sibi Chakravarthy has been chosen to receive the inaugural Kalaratna Award instituted by the Palakkad Kathakali Club. The announcement was made by officials of the club ahead of their milestone anniversary celebrations.
What Happened
The Palakkad Kathakali Club announced on Thursday that the first edition of its Kalaratna Award will be conferred upon Kathakali exponent Kalamandalam Sibi Chakravarthy. The newly established honour includes a cash prize of ₹10,000 along with an official citation. Introduced this year to mark the club’s 20th anniversary celebrations, the award is designated for distinguished artistes chosen from the disciplines of Kathakali acting, music, or percussion.
Key Highlights
- Recipient: Kathakali artiste Kalamandalam Sibi Chakravarthy.
- Award Details: The honour carries a cash purse of ₹10,000 and a formal citation.
- Eligibility Criteria: Open to practitioners specializing in Kathakali acting, percussion, or music.
- Occasion: Instituted in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of the Palakkad Kathakali Club.
- Event Venue: The celebrations and award presentation are scheduled to take place at the Chembai Memorial Government Music College on Saturday.
- Stage Performance: A staging of the Kathakali play Nalacharitham Day-4, featuring several prominent performers, will accompany the event.
- Club Tradition: The Palakkad Kathakali Club has been conducting regular Kathakali performances on every second Saturday for the past 21 years.
Why This Matters
The institution of the Kalaratna Award introduces a dedicated recognition platform for classical Kathakali performers across acting, musical accompaniment, and percussion. Organized by a cultural forum that has consistently staged Kathakali performances every second Saturday for over two decades, the award acknowledges individual artistic contributions while supporting traditional performance arts.
What to Watch Next
The award will be presented during the anniversary programme on Saturday at the Chembai Memorial Government Music College. Attendees and art enthusiasts will also witness the staging of Nalacharitham Day-4 featuring leading Kathakali artistes assembled for the event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the recipient of the first Kalaratna Award?
Kathakali artiste Kalamandalam Sibi Chakravarthy has been selected to receive the inaugural honour.
What does the Kalaratna Award include?
The award carries a cash prize of ₹10,000 along with a citation.
Which organization instituted the award?
The award was instituted by the Palakkad Kathakali Club as part of its anniversary celebrations.
Where will the presentation and anniversary event take place?
The event is scheduled to be held at the Chembai Memorial Government Music College on Saturday, featuring a performance of Nalacharitham Day-4.
Source: Report based on announcements shared by officials of the Palakkad Kathakali Club.