Prof. Kadammanitta Vasudevan Pillai, is a Padayani exponent from Kerala, India. He is the former Vice Chairman of the Kerala Folklore Academy.
Contents |
Vasudevan Pillai was born as the elder son to M. Ramakrishnan Nair (late) and Parukutty Amma (late), at a small village called Kadammanitta in Pathanamthitta district Kerala in 1946. His only sister is Omana Kumariamma, 10 years younger to him. From childhood itself, he was interested in Padayani and Kerala folklore. He completed his pre-school and graduated from the Government College in Pathanamthitta. He did his MSc in Mathematics from Bhopal and was the first rank holder. He completed his Post Graduation with Gold medal. He later came back to Kerala and joined as lecturer in Mathematics in various colleges in Kerala. He worked in NSS College, Pandalam for most of the time, till his retirement as Head of Department in 2005.
Vasudevan Pillai has contributed greatly to the field of Kerala folklore. He has written a number of books on Padayani and other traditional art forms. He is the recipient of many State Awards for his literary and cultural contributions. His bond with villages can be seen clearly in his works. his association with the great poet of Kerala Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan led to many valuable literary contributions.
The youth of Kadammanitta, under the leadership of Vasudevan Pillai, had formed Kadammanitta Gothra Kala Kalari through which this art form has been taught to many and is being passed over to generations.
He currently lives in Kadammanitta. He is married to Omana Kumariamma and is father of three - Kadammanitta Manu (Mrudangam Artist), Kadammanitta Anu (Singer) and Lakshmi (Violin Artist). His company with Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan had led to the rise of many literary contributions.