Varanattu Narayana Kurup is a contemporary Mudiyettu "Kalakaran" (performing artist) and exponent, belonging to the Varanattu Kurup family of traditional performing artists of Mudiyettu, based in Koratty in the Thrissur district of Kerala. Varanattu Narayana Kurup, also known as Nanu Kurup, is one of the leading artists of the family along with Varanattu Sankara Narayana Kurup.

Training and Debut of Varanattu Narayana Kurup
Varanattu Narayana Kurup was born in the year 1944 and brought up in a well known Varanattu Kizhakke family traditionally performing folklore arts such as Mudiyettu and Kalamezhuthu, as their family heritage. At the age of 12, he began his training under the mentorship of his own uncle Late Sree Rama Kurup, a well known figure in the same field. In 1959 at the age of 15, Narayana Kurup gave his debut performance at Mattoor Nelamkulangara Bhagavathi Temple, playing the role of Daarika.

Contribution of Varanattu Narayana Kurup
Varanattu Narayana Kurup has expertise in the other facets of Mudiyettu as well, such as Kalam Pattu, Chutti Kuthal and Kalikoppu making. He also is an expert in the Kalamezhuthu art. He has performed Mudiyettu enactments, engaged in the art of Kalamezhuthu making as well as Kalam Pattu, in more than 1500 stages within and outside Kerala. He has also registered a Kala Sangham (performing troupe) known as the Kizhakke Varanattu Mudiyettu Kala Sangham, under his leadership, teaching newcomers in the Mudiyettu and Kalamezhuthu arenas systematically. He has also authored a book completely on Mudiyettu, on the basis of his knowledge and experience that he accessed thus far.

Venues of Performances by Varanattu Narayana Kurup
Varanattu Narayana Kurup has given Mudiyettu performances in the following venues and forums:


•Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Regional Theatre ground in 2006 - Mudiyettu enactment and 16 hands" Bhadrakali Kalam
•The Folklore Academy"s awards fest at Kodungallur in 2008
•Mudiyettu performance and Kalam conducted for the movie "Thaniyavarthanam" at Mannarkadu
•Unnai Warrier Memorial Kalanilayam at Irinjalakkuda
•Kerala Kalamandalam Koothambalam
•Chowdayya Theatre in Bangalore
•Thekkinkadu Maithanam in Thrissur
•At Vilangankunnu in Thrissur
•Calicut University
•Kannur University in Neleswaram
•At the fest conducted by the Department of Tourism in the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 at Trivandrum, Varkala Beach, Kollam Beach
•At the Sahakarana Varagosham in Thrissur
•At the Panchayathu Dinagosham in Thrissur

Awards and Recognitions received by Varanattu Narayana Kurup
Varanattu Narayana Kurup has been recognised with the given honours for his contributions in the art of Mudiyettu:


•Gurupuja Puraskaram by the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi in 2007, for services rendered in Mudiyettu
•Folklore Academy Award in 2008, for 50 years of contribution in the field of Mudiyettu. Keerthipathra from Dr. T. Radhakrishnan, Vice-Chairman of Kerala Kalamandalam in 2002.
•Keerthimudra by Mattoor Nelamkulangara Bhagavathi Temple in 2001.
•Koratty Chettarikkal Temple Award in 2005
•Chirangara Bhagavathi Temple"s reward given by late film star Shri M. S. Thripunithara
•Chirangara Temple Kshethra Kshema Samathi award in 2008
•Gouri Shankara Temple shield in Chalakkudy in 2005
•The Shield received on the 75th day of the film "Thaniyavarthanam", for performing Mudiyettu in the film.
•The Shield received from the Thapasya Kala Sahithyavedi in Irinjalakuda.
•The Honour and Shield received in the Panambally Govind Menon Smaraka Nattarang, conducted by Chalakkudy Sanskara Sahithi in 2008.
•The Shield received from Kshetra Sumrashana Samathi in Thrissur in 2006.
•The Shield received in Chirangara Kalasamithi, conducted by Prathibha Sangam and Kalasandhya in 2009.
•The Shield received on the stage of Koratty Swarasudha (School of Music and Dance), at the fest conducted on the day of Vijayadashmi 2009.
•The Shield received from Malayalam Nammude Abhimanam Samskarika Yathra organizing committee in 2010.
•Njanodhayam Vayanasala West Koratty Award (shield)
•Vivekananda Balagokulam Koratty Award (shield).

At the Koratty-based Kizhakke Varanattu Mudiyettu Kalasangham, which was launched by Varanattu Narayana Kurup in 2009, there are about 30 students, including a few girls and a medical surgeon, learning the Chenda percussion instrument along with the Mudiyettu hymns and enactments. Narayana Kurup is of the unorthodox view that tradition of Mudiyettu must be passed on to the girls as well, who have the dedication, interest and respect for its rules.

Related Articles:
Mudiyettu, Kerala Ritual Theatre
Forms of Indian Theatre
Kerala
Folk Theatre of Kerala
Ritual Theatre in India
Goddess Bhadrakali
Performance of Mudiyettu
Costumes and Make up in Mudiyettu
Comic Relief in Mudiyettu
Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi
Bhagavati Pattu
Chenda, Percussion Instrument