Date:06/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/06/stories/2008110650240200.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Mali award for Kathakali artiste

Special Correspondent

KOCHI: The Mali Foundation’s award for outstanding Kathakali artiste will be given away to Kottakkal Sivaraman at a function to be held in Tripunithura on November 9. The award known as ‘Mali Karnasapatham award’, will consist of Rs.10,001 and a citation.

The award has been instituted to commemorate the birth anniversary of Malathi M. Nair, wife of the late V. Madhavan Nair known as ‘Mali’, author of several books including Karnasapatham Attakatha. The award winner was selected in consultation with Tripunithura Kathakali Club, said its president A.K. Sabhapathy .

The newly constituted Mali Karnasapatham award is an endeavour to acknowledge artistes excelling in the art form of Kathakali, said V.K. Madhav Mohan, president of Mali Foundation. The first award is an expression of gratitude and appreciation of Kottakkal Sivaraman’s lifetime contribution to Kathakali, he said.

The activities of the Foundation are focused on encouraging excellence in the fields of literature, sports, art and culture. The support being extended to exponents of various art forms is in tune with the objective of commemorating Mali’s love for art forms practised in India.

The award ceremony will be followed by ‘Karnasapatham’ Kathakali performance by the ladies’ troupe of Tripunithura Kathakali Kendram.