Kottakkal Pradeep is a multi-talented Kathakali artiste who skillfully performs all types of roles in the art form and has already made his mark as a writer and composer of attakkathas (Kathakali play scripts).

He was born on 18 May 1986 to Arunadevi of Punchappadath Vadakkeppattu Puthan Pisharam, Sreekrishnapuram Panchayat, and Unnikrishna Pisharody of Karimpuzha Pazhaya Pisharam, in Palakkad district.

Alongside his school education, he underwent about two months of basic Kathakali training under Sri Kalamandalam Kuttikrishnan. After his primary schooling, in August 1997, at the age of eleven, he joined as a Kathakali acting student at PSV Natyasangham, under the aegis of Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal. His debut performance was on 1 February 1998, portraying Lavana in Lavanaasura Vadham during the death anniversary of Vaidyaratnam P.S. Warrier.

Over the next eight years of formal training, he gained extensive stage experience across Kerala and beyond. He then completed an additional three years of higher studies, followed by a one-year temporary appointment, before becoming a permanent actor in the troupe.

He secured first place in the Cholliyattam competitions held at Thrippunithura in December 2003 and in the Sri Kalamandalam Padmanabhan Nair Memorial Cholliyattam competition in April 2009. His principal gurus include Kottakkal Chandrasekharan Warrier, Kottakkal Kesavan Kundalayar, Kottakkal Vasudevan Kundalayar, Kottakkal Haridasan, Kottakkal Devadasan, and Kottakkal Sudheer.

In 2007, he received the Sri Kottakkal Krishnankutty Nair Endowment. In 2011, under the leadership of Sri Appukuttan Master, he toured North India performing alongside Padma Shri Kalamandalam Gopi Asan.

Apart from acting, Pradeep excels in writing attakkathas. His first work was Chyavana Charitham, followed by Yuyutsu, Drona Charitham, Vyasan, Kaaliyamarddanam, Panchali Swayamvaram, Paundraka Vadham, and Mahaprasthanam, all of which have been staged successfully.

Awards

• Dr. T.I. Radhakrishnan Award 2023, instituted by Dr. T.I. Radhakrishnan Foundation.
• V.S. Sharma Endowment 2024, awarded by Kalamandalam Kalpita University.

Spouse: Aarathi

Mr. Kottakkal Harishwaran is a well-known Kathakali artiste in Kerala.

Though he performs all roles with great dedication, Hari has a special interest in “Thadi” (beard) roles.

He was born on 29 December 1976 to Kuthannoor Pisharath Govindan Kutti Pisharody and Aandam Pisharath Narayanikutty Pisharasiar.

After completing his primary education up to Class 6, he joined the P.S.V. Natyasangham in 1986, along with his elder brother Anil Kumar, to learn Kathakali. His gurus included Krishnan Kutty Nair, Chandrasekhara Warrier, Murali, Nandakumar, and Shambu Embranthiri. In 1987, he made his debut as Lavana in Lavanasuravadham at the Kottakkal Vishwambhara Temple. He then successfully completed the eight-year curriculum and an additional three years of advanced training, and in 1999, he was appointed as a teacher at P.S.V. Natyasangham.

He has also trained in percussion instruments like Chenda and Thimila, making his debut performance in them as well. His Thimila guru was Pulappatta Ramesan.

Awards: Thodayam Kathakali Club Kathakali Award – 2021

Hari resides permanently at Nayadippara, Kottakkal. His wife is Pisharath Geethanjali of Vilayil, Areekode, Manjeri.

Children: Siddharth and Sandra. Siddharth, a college student, has also made his debut in Thimila.

Shri Krishnapurath Murali is a well-known Ottan Thullal artiste.

He began training in Thullal at the age of ten under the traditional Gurukula system from his father. He made his stage debut in 1978. In 1983 and 1984, he won prizes at the school youth festivals. Since then, he has been actively involved in the Thullal art scene for over thirty years.

Through rigorous practice, Murali became a proponent of the style of Payyannur P.K. Pothuval, who was his father’s guru. His performances are known for their expressive character portrayal, distinct body movements, clear gestures (mudras), attractive costumes, meaningful musical rendering with a deep understanding of the lyrics, rhythmic and agile movements, and a sense of humor that never turns into mockery.

He is the son of the renowned Ottan Thullal artiste Kongad Achutha Pisharody.
His mother is Krishnapurath Pisharath Lakshmikutty Pisharassyār (Thangam).
His wife is Jayasree of Alathur Pisharam, Kodakara.
His children, Haripriya and Shruthi Keerthi, are also Thullal artistes.
His siblings are Ravi (brother) and Rajani (sister).

In 2016, he received the Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Pothuval Memorial Kalasagar Award.

Kottakkal Santhosh is a young and talented vocalist who has made his mark in the field of Kathakali music.

His style blends strong musical foundation with a singing approach perfectly suited to the rhythm and mood of Aattakatha (Kathakali plays). What sets Santhosh apart is his expressive rendering, precision in pronunciation, depth in voice, and adherence to the authentic traditions of Kathakali music.

He trained in Kathakali music under renowned gurus such as Kalamandalam Madambi Subramanian Namboodiri, Kottakkal Narayanan, Kottakkal Madhu, Kottakkal Suresh, and Vengeri Narayanan. His formal music education was completed at Kalamandalam and Kottakkal P.S.V. Natyasangham.

Santhosh also mastered Ashtapadi from Guruvayur Janardanan Nedungadi, and Carnatic music from Kalamandalam Sreedharan Namboodiri.

He is the recipient of several prestigious awards, including:

• Sreekrishna Memorial Award
• Venkidakrishna Bhagavathar Memorial Award
• Kalamandalam Unnikrishna Kurup Memorial Award
• Kalamandalam Sankaran Embranthiri Memorial Award
• Junior Fellowship from the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi
• K.V. Kochaniyan Award (2023) by Tripunithura Kathakali Kendram
• Unnikrishnan Memorial Award
• FACT Padmanabhan Shashtipoorthi Award
• LSV Foundation Young Vocalist Award (2024) by Thrissur Kathakali Club

Santhosh is currently a teacher at Kottakkal P.S.V. Natyasangham. He is the son of Karakkurissi Pisharath Narayana Pisharody and G.P. Vasanthakumari. His wife is Preethi, and they have a son named Anand.