Pravasi Kalashree Award
Conferred by the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi for unparalleled contributions to Kathakali outside Kerala.
Kalamandalam Sankaranarayanan · Est. 1939
A Living Legacy in Kathakali
An active exponent, scholar and visionary guru bridging the rhythmic rigour of Kerala with the intellectual haven of Santiniketan — across more than seventy years on the stage and in the classroom.
The Guru
Born of Malabar, devoted to the art
Born in Manjeri, Malappuram, Kerala, Prof. T. Sankaranarayanan's entry into the classical arts was inspired by the legendary poet Vallathol Narayana Menon. Trained in the rigorous discipline of the Kalluvazhi style at Kerala Kalamandalam, he has devoted his life not merely to performing, but to nurturing generations of artists.
An ongoing force in Santiniketan, weaving the powerful aesthetics of Kathakali into the academic fabric of Visva-Bharati and beyond.
He crossed cultural frontiers by settling in non-Malayalam-speaking West Bengal — even learning Bengali to connect with his students. Rising from Lecturer in 1978 to Principal of Sangit Bhavana, he remains a living repository of the purest Kathakali traditions.
Read his full story →70+
Years in Kathakali
1978
Joined Visva-Bharati
3
Republic Day Parades
4+
Nations toured
Beyond Boundaries
Shaping futures across borders
One of the hallmarks of Sankaranarayanan's legacy is his extraordinary eye for raw talent. He has identified gifted students from Bengal and personally brought them to the sacred grounds of Kerala Kalamandalam — where many have blossomed into professional Kathakali artists.
His artistry has reached far beyond the subcontinent: a month-long troupe tour in Japan, pioneer workshops at Shanto-Mariam University in Dhaka, and SAARC performances in Sri Lanka.
Discover the art of Kathakali →
Visual Archive
Moments from a lifetime on stage
Recognition
National & State Honours
Republic Day Medals
Led the Kerala contingent at the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi for three consecutive years.
UNCTAD II Medal
Honoured for cultural excellence at the UN Conference on Trade and Development, New Delhi.
Preserving a Legacy
A repository for generations to come
This archive gathers the performances, writings, honours and teachings of a maestro who carried Kerala's classical soul across India and the world. Explore, learn, and help preserve a living tradition.