Sri. Balakrishnan
began his study of Kathakali under Guru Kondiveetil
Narayanan Nair Asan under the patronage of the late
Brahmashree Kurumathur Narayanan Namboodiripad,
who later supported his eight years of
intensive training at Gandhi Seva Sadanam
Kathakali Akademy in Palakkad district.
He has been attached to the International Centre
for Kathakali in New Delhi, initially as an artist
and teacher and later as the Centre’s Director and
Principal. During these years, Sadanam Balakrishnan
has had ample opportunity to further develop his mastery
in abhinaya, choreography, directing and in teaching.
He has performed most of the categories of
characters—paccha, kathi, chuvanna thadi,minukku,
and has specialised in the major roles, such as Hanuman,
Sri Krishna, Arjuna, Yuddhishtira, Ravana and Duryodhana.
His performances are highly acclaimed by audiences and
the media, both in India and abroad. Now he is attached
to Kalakshetra, Chennai as Senior Visiting Fellow.
Sadanam Balakrishnan will be accompanied by three
dancers, two vocalists, one chenda and one maddalam
artists (percussionists) and two make up and costume
artists.
