Kochi (PTI): Renowned Kathakali artist Margi Vijayakumar has been chosen for the prestigious Ernakulam Kathakalai Club's 'Kalahamsam Puraskaram' for the most outstanding Kathakali actor of 2007.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Tuesday, A D Krishnan Asan, President, Ernakulam Kathakali Club, said the 'Thouryathrikam Puraskaran' to the most outstanding Kathakali Chenda artist of 2007 will be given to Kurur Vasudevan Namboothiri.

Vijayakumar is an actor who could perform any female role in Kathakali with rare perfection, he said, adding 'he has a fine expressive face and eyes, and his mudras are clean and complete, and rendered in a style most suitable for female roles'.

Namboothiri, was interested in Chenda from a very young age, and he started his studies under Ayamkudi Kuttappa Marar, a wellknown Chenda artists and teacher. After completing his studies there he joined the Kerala Kalamandalam for higher studies and was trained by the great Kathakali Chendra artist Krishnankutty Poduval.

The awards will be given away at the two-day 49th annual festivities of the Ernakulam Kathakalai Club on Feb 15 and 16, he said.