New Delhi: The International Centre for Kathakali, a premier cultural institution that has been promoting Kathakali for the past 65 years, has announced that this year’s International Kathakali Award will be conferred upon renowned percussionist and Chairman of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, Mattannur Sankarankutty.
The award recognizes his outstanding and comprehensive contributions to the field of performing arts, particularly his role in elevating the traditional rhythms of Kerala to national and international acclaim. A Padma Shri awardee (2009), Sankarankutty is celebrated across India as the Melapadam Maestro of the iconic Thrissur Pooram.
The selection was made by a distinguished jury comprising Babu Panicker, Delony Manuel, Sudha Gopalakrishnan, Sateesh Namboothirippad and Thiruvattar Jagadeesan.
The award will be presented during the closing ceremony of the Centre’s annual week-long Kathakali Festival. The ceremony will be held on 16th November at 8 a.m, at the International Centre for Kathakali, Delhi. This year’s festival will conclude on the 16th.
The honour includes a cash prize of Rs. 25,000, a silver Valampiri conch shell, and a citation.
The International Centre for Kathakali continues to play a pivotal role in popularising Kathakali, Kerala’s classical dance-drama, on the global stage—strengthening its legacy as one of India’s foremost cultural institutions.