I was born as the eighth child of Palatt Lakshmi Amma and Sekhara Panikkar
in the village of Kuthanur in Palakkad District in the year 1939. I had my
primary education at Kalappara School at Kuthanur. I believe that the
nature and attitudes of my teachers and the only female teacher Kuzhalmandam
Parukkutty influenced my young mind and later became a capital gain in my
personal life as well as my life as an artist. When I think of my mother who
was my whole and soul, the picture that forms in my mind is -- The song that
she used to sing and the happiness which manifested on her face while
churning butter milk. The song sung by mother is this:
Krishnanunni, my son,
Shall enroll in Krishnanattam
It is not enough that he enrolls in Krishnanattam.
He shall play as Krishna
It is not enough that he plays as Krishna
He shall play the scene of oppressing Kaliya (the serpent)
It is not enough that he plays the scene of oppressing Kaliya
He shall kill Kamsa
I believe that my mother's strong desire with devotion, the artistic tradition in our family and above all, the will of god made me as an artist. As an artist, I am indebted to the following personnel: Palatt Govinda Panikkar, Chachu Panikkar (both are Kathakali and Kanyar Kali artists), Palatt Padmanabha Panikkar (Singer of Kanyar Kali and Grand Master of Kanyar Kali), Palatt Karunakara Panikkar (Famous Kathakali Artist), Palatt Kochukrishna Panikkar (Grand Master of Kanyar Kali and Puratt Artist).
One day, Palakkal Achuthan Nair, Master of Krishnanattam play asked me my name and other particulars. The next day, Achuthan Nair came to my home at ten O Clock in the morning and asked my mother whether she is agreeable to enroll me in Krishnanattam. Very happily , my mother agreed for the same. Thus on the 26th of April 1946, Achuthan Nair took me and my elder brother Gangadharan along with him and walked to Mankara railway station. From there, we boarded a train to Kozhikode. On that day, we stayed in the Kalari. The next day Achuthan Nair took us to the King Zamorin. The King gave us four towels, four loin clothes and four rupees as a gift. I started staying in the Kalari marking the beginning of a turning point in my life.
I first played as Krishna in the first play Avataram during the Arangettam performance held every year at Zamorin's palace in the year 1947, in the Malayalam month of kumbham (Mid February to Mid March). Afterwards, performing the minor roles of Balarama and gopika I began to find a place for me in the Krishnanattam troupe. I performed the role of Krishna in the Kaliyamardanam play when I became 12 years old. When I became 16 years old, I performed as Krishna in Kamsavadham. I also performed other roles. When I became 20 years old, I performed as Krishna in Banayuddhm, Svayamvaram and Rasakrida and also as Kamsa, Shishupala, Jarasandha, Rugmi, Narakasura, Murasura, Yavana, Krishna in Svargarohana and Uddhava. I believe that I was able to present these characters on stage nicely only due to the blessings of the Lord, my preceptors and my mother.
Palakkal Achuthan Nair was my teacher. Even though he was very strict during the training, Achuthan Nair was a great soul who treated his students like his own sons. The training which starts at 3.30 a.m in the morning will continue till 7 a. m in the morning. After 8 O clock, the dance steps were practiced. The training was done rubbing the body with sesame oil and reciting the vayttari. Then the body is massaged. After the student completes the training for about 10 years, he develops the base to become a good dancer. With this base, the dancer will be able to establish himself in the performance by observing and hearing from the seniors as well as contributing as per his imagination.
That I who was born in a non-descript village of Kuthanur in Palakkad District was able to perform as a Krishnanattam artist in front of audiences Kerala, in the main cities of India as well as in the foreign countries of France, Italy, Holland, Switzerland and in United States may be considered as another play of the Lord. Let me say with devotion and respect that I received the Gold Medal for the best Krishnanattam Artist presented by Guruvayur Devasvam, Fellowship by the Human Resources Department of the Government of India, Award by Kerala Kalamandalam and the Award by Revathi Pattattanam only due to the pleasure of the Lord. Stating that if there are errors committed by me during the fiftyone years of my life as an artist, all that are only due to me and if I have achieved anything, all that is due to the pleasure of the Lord, let me dedicate this short note to the Goddess of Natumandam.
Tattakam, Kanyar Kali Samgamam 2011, Kuthanur Desham, 17th Varshikam. Kerala Kanyar Kali Arts Promotion Council, Pages 59-60