Kalamandalam Unnikrishnakurup
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Unnikrishna Kurup was a famous Kathakali singer.
He was well tempered through traditional discipline but his contribution was his ingenuity in expanding the traditional framework. He was instrumental in the introduction and popularising of Kathakali Padams. People started going to Kathakali just to hear his magnetic voice.
He is considered one of the epic Kathakali Singers personalities in the twentieth century. He carved out a style of singing with his sharp tone and layam the 'Bhavam' of the situation was automatically imparted to the audience.
He was the disciple of the legendary Neelakandhan Nambeesan and was able to propagate his master's vision on music to the whole world. Initially he was the second singer (Sinkidi) to Venkatakrishna Bhagavather and his own guru Nambeesan. Within no time he was able to learn the chemistry of Kathakali arangu and became the unanimous choice as the main singer in all the major Kathakali stages.
He died at the age of 57.
[edit] Early Years
Kurup was born in a village named Vellinezhi in Palakkad District. His father was a singer by himself. His aspiration brought him to Kerala Kalamandalam as a student of Kathakali music. He started his studentship under Neelakandhan Nambeesan. It is worth mentioning that he was the first student of Nambeesan.
He studied in Kalamandalam only for two years. He couldn't digest the rules and regulations of the organization. He acted as a fix patient and left Kalamandalam, thereby ending his formal music education.
[edit] Disciples
Even though he was a great stage performer he didn't have many disciples. Palanadu Divakaran is the only known disciple of his. But he was the inspiration for most singers of the next generation.
